Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a license to ride a Xero scooter?
You need a full car license (pre-Feb 2001) or a full or provisional motorbike license. This is a high power full-sized motorcycle, not a toy. It is classified as a 50cc moped. Full car license holders qualifying after 1 February 2001 must also complete a CBT course before riding a moped on the road.
Do I need a license to ride a Xero bike?
A Xero e-Pedal bike is still classified as a pushbike as it is legally restricted to 15 mph on motor power alone and therefore does not require any additional licensing requirements. The minimum legal age to ride an electric bicycle is 14 years.
Do I need road tax?
Xero's are exempt from road tax, but still require a tax disc to be displayed as well as registration with the Vehicle Licensing Authority.
Is a Xero road legal?
Yes, all Xero Vehicles are supplied with a Certificate of Conformity for EU Type Approval.
How do I charge a Xero?
Simply connect the charger to the bike and plug into any standard electrical outlet to charge the batteries. A full charge from empty will take approximately 6 to 8 hours on an eScooter and 4 – 5 hours on an ePedal. Pull into your garage or any other convenient location with an outlet, plug it in and charge it up! It's that simple. You can also purchase charger outlet cables for City re-charging points.
What are the main factors that affect the range?
The single biggest factor that affects the range is terrain; therefore hilly areas will always drain the battery more than flat inner city areas. Other factors that can contribute to range depletion can be the amount of load on the vehicle, constant speed of the vehicle and more unusually temperature. Battery capacity (range) reduces at colder temperatures; therefore you will find the range in winter conditions less than during the summer.
Do I get a warning when I need to recharge?
All Xero'S have a battery fuel gauge as well as the standard speedometer, mileage counter, indicator warnings, and high beam warning. The battery gauge works much the same as a petrol gauge in that as the battery looses power the gauge moves from full to empty.
What servicing does a Xero require? How do I purchase spare parts?
A Xero requires very little if any servicing by comparison to other powered transport. There are no spark plugs or air filters to change, no oil to top up, and no chain to lubricate. The only dirt formed on the bike will be from the road, as there is no oil, grease or petrol needed. However general care of any vehicle will always reduce the possibility of faults, we therefore recommend you keep a Xero under cover when possible and regular checks on brakes and tires are recommended. Spare parts can be purchased via our website or through our network of dealers.
Can a Xero carry passengers?
All eScooters are EU type approved to carry one driver and one pillion passenger, however the driver needs to check they are authorised to carry a pillion passenger as indicated on their driving license. There is no legal restriction on age of a pillion passenger aside from the fact that it is at the discretion of the driver. We recommend that all pillion passengers are tall enough to comfortably touch the foot rests with their feet when sat on the seat. All ePedals are classified as single seat pushbikes and therefore designed to carry just one person.
Do I need insurance to ride a Xero?
eScooters are classified as two-wheeled motor vehicles and therefore require a minimum of third party motor insurance. However they are rated at the lowest insurance band and always work out less expensive than their petrol powered equivalent. We have several recommended insurance brokers specialising in electric vehicles and can provide you with all the necessary information. ePedals are classified as pushbikes and therefore do not require insurance.
We recommend using one of the following insurers as they specialize in electric vehicles.
Pluginsure
www.pluginsure.co.uk
Rampdale Ltd
www.rampdale.com
Swinton
www.swinton.co.uk
What is the difference between ‘pedal assisted’ and ‘throttle controlled’ electric bikes?
On pedal assisted bikes the motor only ‘kicks in’ when the rider is pedalling the bike. There is a sensor on the pedal crank that picks up movement when the pedals turn. Once the pedals get up to a certain speed the motor automatically starts so as to assist the rider’s effort. In effect once the motor is going the pedal effort is similar to free wheeling. When the rider stops pedalling the motor automatically cuts out. There is also an additional safety feature to stop the motor by way of sensors on each brake lever. When the brakes are applied the motor automatically cuts out. In order for electric bikes to be classified as pushbikes in both UK and mainland Europe they must be pedal assisted. Throttle controlled bikes are still classified as pushbikes in the UK as long as the motor power is under 200w and speed is restricted to 15mph. This is likely to change however in order to fall in line with the rest of Europe where throttle controlled electric bikes are classified as motorcycles and subject to the same licensing requirements.
Can you use an ePedal as a regular pushbike?
All ePedals can be used as either battery assisted or under pedal power alone. Simply turn off the battery to use the bike as a regular pushbike or if the battery runs out during an extended journey then the bike can be ridden just as a regular pushbike.
Can you charge a Xero on a 12v supply (boat or caravan for example)?
All Xero’s run off a minimum of 24v therefore you will need an inverter to charge from a 12v supply, however once the boat or caravan is linked to ‘shore power’ you can charge as you would at home or work as long as the voltage is between 100v – 240v.