Registering E-Choppers & E-Scooters: TÜV Approval in Germany for 85 km/h Models
Registering E-Choppers & E-Scooters:
TÜV Registration in Germany for 85 km/h Models
Everything you need to know — from the document folder and zeroed HSN/TSN to the GHG premium. This is how you register your Star-Biker Chopper M1PS Knight or Bobber M8S Custom at the registration office.
85 km/h models like the Star-Biker Chopper M1PS Knight and the Bobber M8S Custom fall under vehicle class L3e-A1 in Germany — light motorcycle with up to 11 kW nominal power. This means: official license plate, full registration, but no individual inspection by TÜV. The COC document is sufficient.
What many don't know: precisely this registration requirement brings you a concrete financial advantage — the GHG quota. More on that later.
- Why the key number "0000" is not a problem
- All documents you need — at a glance
- Step-by-step through the administrative process
- GHG quota: up to €180 per year, tax-free
- B196 vs. Class A1 — which option suits you
L3e-A1: What the vehicle class means
Both 85 km/h models from Star-Biker are type-approved in Europe as L3e-A1 (light motorcycle up to 11 kW). The vehicles have full European type approval — documented in the accompanying COC document (Certificate of Conformity). This means they are road-legal throughout the EU without further approval.
| Technical characteristic | Chopper M1PS Knight | Bobber M8S Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle class | L3e-A1 (light motorcycle) | L3e-A1 (light motorcycle) |
| Voltage / System | 72V high-voltage system | 72V high-voltage system |
| Battery | Samsung SDI 40 Ah (~5 kWh) | Samsung 35 Ah Premium |
| Drive | Brushless hub motor | Brushless hub motor |
| Torque | 160 Nm | 160 Nm |
| Top speed | 85 km/h (electronic) | 85 km/h (electronic) |
| Range | up to 130 km | up to 120 km |
| Weight (ready to ride) | approx. 105 kg | approx. 85 kg |
| Brakes | Hydraulic discs front/rear | Hydraulic discs front/rear |
Key number "0000": Not a problem — but you need to know
A common issue at the registration office: Imported e-choppers are not stored in the national KBA register with their own type key number (TSN). The authority therefore enters the value "0000" or "00000000" in the vehicle registration certificate (ZB I, field 2.2).
This sounds alarming, but it isn't. Here are the key points:
- No problem for registration: The COC document is the authoritative data source. An individual inspection according to § 21 StVZO is not necessary.
- Manual data entry: The clerk manually transfers power, mass, and top speed from the COC to the ZB I and ZB II.
- Insurance: Some online tariff calculators require a valid TSN. If this is the case, call the insurance company directly and have the vehicle manually classified based on the performance data (5 kW, 85 km/h) — the eVB number will still be issued.
These documents are needed
Bring all original documents — no copies, no screenshots. A missing document usually means a second appointment.
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| COC document | Proof of European type approval — data source for the vehicle registration certificate. Supplied by Star-Biker. |
| Original invoice / purchase agreement | Proof of ownership; confirms proper tax registration within the EU internal market. |
| eVB number (7 digits) | Electronic proof of valid motor vehicle liability insurance. Apply for this with the insurance company beforehand. |
| Identification document | ID card or passport with current registration certificate. |
| SEPA direct debit mandate | Required for vehicle tax registration — even if the vehicle is tax-exempt. |
Step-by-step registration
Take out insurance & get eVB number
Take out liability insurance for a light motorcycle (L3e). The insurance company generates a 7-digit eVB number — you will need this at the registration office.
Book an appointment at the vehicle registration office
Online appointment booking via your registration office's portal. In some regions, online registration (i-Kfz) with eID is also possible.
Submit documents — ZB I & ZB II are created
The clerk checks the COC and proof of purchase. As it is a new vehicle, Registration Certificate Part I (vehicle registration document) and Part II (vehicle title) are newly issued.
Choose and emboss license plate
Reserve or have a custom license plate assigned. Have it embossed by the plate manufacturer directly next to the registration office, then affix official stickers.
SEPA mandate & tax exemption
The SEPA mandate for vehicle tax registration is mandatory — even if e-light motorcycles are completely exempt from vehicle tax.
First main inspection (HU) after 24 months
The first HU is due 2 years after initial registration. The emissions test (AU) is permanently waived — electric motors have no emissions.
GHG quota: Earn money with registration
Because your 85 km/h model requires registration, you have a ZB I — and thus the ticket for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Quota. Upload a photo of the ZB I once a year, mineral oil companies buy the certificate. The payout is tax-free for private individuals.
Driving License: Class A1 or B196 Extension?
For an 85 km/h light motorcycle (up to 11 kW) you have two options in Germany. Which one suits you depends on your age, driving experience, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions about Registration
No. The COC document (Certificate of Conformity) fully replaces the TÜV individual inspection according to § 21 StVZO. The registration office accepts the COC as proof of European type approval. A fee-based presentation at TÜV is not required.
The vehicle is not stored in the national KBA register, which is normal for many imported electric vehicles. The authority manually enters the data from the COC. The vehicle is fully registered and road-legal — the key number has no practical effect.
After registration, simply register with an intermediary platform (e.g., carbonify or CHECK24), upload a photo of the ZB I, and submit the certificate. After official certification by the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), the premium is paid out — depending on the market value, between €70 and €180 per year, tax-free for private individuals.
No. The key number B196 is exclusively valid for driving within Germany. For travel to other EU countries or Switzerland, driving license class A1 is required.
No. Electric light motorcycles up to 11 kW are fully exempt from vehicle tax according to the Motor Vehicle Tax Act. The SEPA mandate is still required for official system registration, but nothing will be debited.
Less effort than expected — and a financial bonus
With Star-Biker's COC document, registration is significantly less complicated than with many other imported vehicles. No TÜV appointment, no individual inspection, no vehicle tax. And with the GHG quota, you earn passively year after year from your registration. All documents — COC, operating instructions, tools — are included with every 85 km/h model.
