The Netherlands is working on a new national framework for light electric vehicles, known as the « LEV-kader », which aims to require a national approval process, or homologation, for various devices currently on the market without such certification. These include electric scooters, cargo bikes, and electric bicycles that can travel up to 25 km/h. According to a schedule shared with the Tweede Kamer, the Dutch parliament, the main part of the framework is expected to take effect on January 1, 2028, with a first phase starting on September 1, 2027, which would require helmets for certain riders based on age. The proposal underwent a public consultation that ended in June 2026, and in response, LEVA-EU, a European federation representing the sector, urged the government to abandon the plan. Their letter, sent in September 2026, was signed by 91 entities from 18 countries, including major companies like Xiaomi, VanMoof, and Gobao, as well as Dutch manufacturers and research institutions. Some local industry players are openly challenging their government's approach. One of the main objections raised is that the proposed framework conflicts with existing Dutch law. Currently, electric bicycles with a speed limit of 25 km/h and a power output of 250 watts are exempt from homologation. However, the new framework would require such bicycles, classified in categories 2a and 2b, to undergo national approval, contradicting the current legal text. These vehicles are governed by the « Machines Directive », which is part of a broader set of European regulations. LEVA-EU points out that this directive prevents member states from blocking the circulation of products that already meet its standards. Adding a national homologation to the existing CE marking, they argue, would create an unnecessary double burden for manufacturers. In December 2025, the Netherlands raised the issue of personal mobility devices with the EU Transport Council, supported by fifteen other member states. In a statement, the Netherlands emphasized that the current diversity of national regulations for comparable vehicles across the EU is unnecessary and called for a unified European approach. They advocated for a harmonized system similar to type approval for these emerging personal mobility devices (PMDs), without compromising safety. However, LEVA-EU argues that the Netherlands is acting inconsistently by pushing for national rules while also calling for European unity. They urge the minister to choose between supporting the European path or proceeding with the national framework. The federation also points out that the sector was not consulted before the plan was introduced, despite European studies indicating that the existing type approval system under Regulation 168/2013 is not suitable for these devices. According to LEVA-EU, the real issues facing the sector are the prevalence of illegal vehicles and the lack of infrastructure, which national homologation would not address. The letter concludes with two main requests: to withdraw the proposed framework and to initiate a dialogue with the European Commission, particularly with Commissioner Stéphane Séjourné and the Directorate-General for the Internal Market (DG GROW). The federation also asks for a meeting with the industry before any further steps, suggesting it take place during the International Cargo Bike Festival in Utrecht in October 2026. To highlight the widespread use of these devices, LEVA-EU points to a recent photo of the King of the Netherlands riding a locally made wheelchair bicycle, a vehicle that would fall under category 2b of the proposed framework and would thus need to meet new requirements to remain on the market. This example illustrates how these vehicles are now deeply integrated into daily life, even within the royal family.