CaliforniaCalifornia will require buyer warnings for certain electric-powered mopeds and motorcycles
E-bike makers will show brand and company names on bikes, while ads for certain electric-powered mopeds and motorcycles will warn buyers about road rules and insurance.
What it does
E-bike makers will add brand and company names to labels. Sellers cannot market mopeds or other excluded vehicles as e-bikes. Shops must check a bike's class before fitting a class label.
Ads for electric-powered mopeds, motor-driven cycles, and off-highway electric motorcycles will warn buyers about highway rules and possible insurance gaps. Makers and distributors will label mopeds and motor-driven cycles.
People cannot use a two- or three-wheeled electric device on public roads or other public travel areas if its motor alone can exceed 20 mph on level ground, unless it meets road-use rules. Officers may remove devices used in violation.
Businesses will need batteries that meet safety standards to sell or lease mopeds and off-highway electric motorcycles. Chargers must meet standards and work with the vehicle. Rental rules start January 1, 2028.
People may use off-highway electric motorcycles and electric-powered motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds on forest, brush, or grass-covered land only if the vehicles meet safety rules and carry permanent maker and test markings.
Argument forWarnings could help buyers of covered electric vehicles check road rules and insurance before they buy.
Argument againstShop workers may spend more time checking e-bike labels, and online sellers may need extra steps to show warnings before checkout.
More detail
E-bike makers will add brand and company names to labels. Sellers and repair shops will follow rules for selling and fitting class labels. The marketing ban covers mopeds and other excluded vehicles, including those that exceed e-bike power or speed limits or lack working pedals. Class labels must be sold and fitted at a physical retailer or bicycle repair shop. Before fitting one, the shop must check that it matches the bike's class.
Businesses will warn buyers in ads for covered electric vehicles. Makers and distributors will attach certification labels to mopeds and motor-driven cycles. Ad warnings cover electric-powered mopeds, motor-driven cycles, and off-highway electric motorcycles. Certification labels cover mopeds and motor-driven cycles. Warnings must explain highway-use rules and say existing insurance may not cover crashes. Buyers must also receive a written warning. Online buyers must confirm they had a chance to read it before purchase.
People will be barred from using covered fast electric devices in public travel areas unless the devices qualify for road use. Officers may remove devices used in violation. This covers two- or three-wheeled devices whose electric motor alone can propel them faster than 20 mph on level ground. The device must fit a vehicle type named in state law, meet that type's rules, and be allowed on public roads. A lower speed setting or an off-road label does not exempt it. The restriction applies when someone uses a covered device on a public road or other public right of way.
Businesses will meet battery and charger safety rules when selling, leasing, or renting covered vehicles. The added rules cover mopeds and off-highway electric motorcycles, along with their batteries and chargers. Batteries and chargers must meet an applicable safety standard named in the law. Chargers must also work with the vehicle or battery they are offered for. The rental requirements start January 1, 2028.
People will use or allow covered electric vehicles on forest, brush, or grass-covered land only when the vehicles meet safety and marking rules. This covers off-highway electric motorcycles and electric-powered motorcycles, motor-driven cycles, and mopeds on forest, brush, or grass-covered land. The maker must certify the vehicle to an applicable electrical safety standard and permanently mark its name and the standard on the vehicle or drive system.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed Assembly
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Sep 30Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 846, Statutes of 2026.Latest
- Sep 30Approved by the Governor Gavin Newsom.Became Law
- Sep 4Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 2 p.m.To Governor
- Aug 28Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 40. Noes 0. Page 6077.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling.Major
- Vote recorded Special Consent SB1167 Blakespear et al. Result: pass.Upper
- Aug 27Ordered to special consent calendar.
- Aug 25In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending.
- Vote recorded SB 1167 Blakespear Senate Third Reading By GONZÁLEZ, M. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 25Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6519.) Ordered to the Senate.Passed Assembly
- Aug 20Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Aug 20Read third time and amended.Major
- Aug 13Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass. Result: pass.Lower
- Aug 13From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (August 13).Minor
- Aug 13Assembly Rule 63 suspended.
- Aug 5August 5 set for first hearing. Placed on suspense file.
- Jul 1Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Major
- Jun 30From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on APPR. (Ayes 15. Noes 0.) (June 29).Major
- Jun 29
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended and be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations]. Result: pass.Lower
- Jun 22From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.Major
- Jun 8Referred to Com. on TRANS.Minor
- May 26In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk.Minor
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading SB1167 Blakespear et al. Result: pass.Upper
- May 26Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 4449.) Ordered to the Assembly.Passed Senate
- May 18Read second time. Ordered to third reading.Minor
- May 14Read second time and amended. Ordered to second reading.Major
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended. Result: pass.Upper
- May 14From committee: Do pass as amended. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 4267.) (May 14).Major
- May 8Set for hearing May 14.
- May 4May 4 hearing: Placed on APPR. suspense file.
- Vote recorded Placed on suspense file. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 28Set for hearing May 4.
- Apr 27April 27 hearing postponed by committee.
- Apr 17Set for hearing April 27.
- Apr 14From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on APPR. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 3870.) (April 14). Re-referred to Com. on APPR.Minor
- Vote recorded Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Appropriations] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 10Set for hearing April 14.
- Apr 9Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on N.R. & W.Major
- Apr 8From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on N.R. & W. (Ayes 12. Noes 0. Page 3760.) (April 7).Major
- Apr 7
- Vote recorded Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Natural Resources and Water]. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 26From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on TRANS.Major
- Mar 17Set for hearing April 7.
- Feb 26Referred to Coms. on TRANS. and N.R. & W.Minor
- Feb 19From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 21.
- Feb 18Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print.Introduced
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