If it sounded too good to be true, that’s because it was. A proposal made last year to double the allowable power limit of electric bicycles in the UK was canceled after pushback on the plan.

Current laws in the UK are similar to those throughout most of Europe, limiting electric bicycles to 250 watts (1/3 hp) and 25 km/h (15.5 mph) of top speed.

A proposal put forth by the Conservatives would have seen that power limit doubled to 500W in the UK, and potentially also allowed for the use of a hand throttle, according to Bike Radar.

After the Department for Transport began a public consultation to assess public opinion, it became clear that while the general public had mixed feelings, most bicycling organizations were largely in favor of keeping the existing regulations unchanged.

“While the difference between the overall number of respondents being in favour and those not in favour was relatively small, this was not the case with main stakeholder organisations, with the vast majority opposing the proposals,” the Department for Transport explained. 

While European electric bicycle laws are relatively strict, limiting electric bicycle motors to less power than a healthy adult can generate with their own legs, North American e-bike laws are generally less restrictive.

In Canada, electric bicycles can support up to 500W of power and feature hand throttles that allow the e-bikes to be powered even without pedaling. In the US, the vast majority of states have adopted the three-class system, which allows all electric bicycles to support motors of up to 750W of power, or three times the European limit. Hand throttles are also allowed on some electric bikes, but the specifics can vary from state to state. The subject of speed, as well as hand throttles on e-bikes, has become a contentious subject in the US with increased regulatory activity.

In much of Europe, bicycles and e-bikes are seen as more integrated members of the larger public transportation system. In North America, cities are much more car-centric and often even hostile to cyclists.

While not all European cyclists enjoy the utopia of Amsterdam’s bicycle-friendly streets, most European cities are more likely to feature better-developed cycling infrastructure that lets cyclists safely travel at slower speeds. Conversely, many American riders feel that higher speeds and motor power levels are essential for their safety when sharing the roads with cars, as higher performance allows riders to better pace existing vehicle traffic.

Regulations don’t just dictate how powerful an e-bike can be, but rather they can also shape how e-bikes are used in daily life. In Europe, where most e-bikes are capped at 250W and 25 km/h (15 mph), more emphasis is placed on pedal-assisted cycling, encouraging active riding while offering a boost for longer trips.

Many cities in Europe have extensive bike lane networks that accommodate e-bikes alongside traditional bicycles, reinforcing the idea that e-bikes are simply a modernized version of cycling rather than a separate vehicle class.

In North America, where 750W e-bikes are common and Class 3 e-bikes can reach 28 mph (45 km/h), the riding experience can sometimes be closer to that of a moped. While many riders enjoy this broader freedom, it has caused friction in many cities who seek to rein in higher performance electric bikes.

At the same time, higher power limits and throttle-assist features can make e-bikes more attractive for recreational riders, commuters, and even delivery workers, especially in cities where bike lanes are scarce. This has contributed to a wider diversity of e-bike styles in North America, from fat-tire adventure bikes to powerful cargo e-bikes capable of carrying heavier loads.

Polestar has unveiled a new collection of one-off “Arctic Circle” EVs designed to showcase the brand’s performance DNA. The rally-inspired upgrades have now been applied to the Polestar 2, 3, and 4 EVs and were put through their paces in the frigid Arctic before they make their public debut at an ice race in Austria. See more in Polestar’s video below.

Although Polestar is technically a Chinese brand since it is majority-owned by Geely Holding, its roots and design are still very Swedish. The premium EV brand is just now starting to gain some clout with consumers as its lineup of available vehicles has expanded to three models: the Polestar 2 sedan, 3 SUV, and 4 crossover.

Aside from several additional models in its pipeline, Polestar has developed several performance variants of its models. Well, actually, up until now, there has been just one model, the Polestar 2. Nevertheless, we’ve seen two high-performance BST Editions as well as a unique “Arctic Circle” Polestar 2 that made its debut in February 2022.

Three years later, Polestar’s lineup has grown by two, and the automaker has returned to the chilly tundra of the Arctic Circle with unique one-off variants designed to kick up some snow and drift across the ice. Today, Polestar shared images and a video of the new Arctic Circle collection before the three unique EVs perform some hot laps on the ice of Austria this weekend.

Following today’s online debut of the new Arctic Circle EVs, Polestar said the three one-off models will make their public debut during the 2025 FAT Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria, on February 1. We asked the Polestar team if the Arctic Circle EVs would be competing, but they unfortunately will not.

However, Polestar told us the Arctic Circle EVs will be out on the ice track for some hot laps in front of the race attendees, operated by professional drivers and Polestar engineers, including Polestar’s Head of Driving Dynamics Joakim Rydholm and multiple STCC and WTCC champion Thed Björk.

The vehicles were built at one of Polestar’s Swedish R&D facilities and feature raised ride heights with custom 3-way adjustable Öhlins dampers, specialized Pirelli studded tires, and OZ racing wheels. The Polestar 2, 3, and 4 Arctic Circle EVs also showcase new Quad Evo front spotlights from Stedi, bucket seats from Recaro, and a slew of exterior winter accessories like skis, roof racks, storage containers, and recovery equipment.

Per Polestar, here’s how each of the Arctic Circle EVs break down in terms of specs and accesories:

If you happen to be in Zell am See, Austria, this weekend, bundle up and check out some ice races and hot laps from Polestar. If you’d rather stay where you are and remain nice and warm, you can enjoy winter driving footage in the Arctic Circle from Polestar below:

‘First sprint’