For many European riders, a 45 km/h electric bike raises an important question:

Can it actually be used legally on public roads?

For Polish YouTuber Strange TV, the answer became clear after putting the FAFREES FF20 Polar HS through the German insurance process and taking it onto public roads.

In his video, Strange TV documents his experience with the FF20 HS in Germany, from its L1e-B homologation and insurance plate to his real-world impressions of riding at speeds of up to 45 km/h.

His experience offers a practical look at what riding a homologated high-speed electric vehicle can be like in Germany.

From L1e-B Homologation to Legal Road Use

The FAFREES FF20 Polar HS is homologated as an L1e-B vehicle.

This classification is important because it places the vehicle within the regulatory framework for light two-wheeled motor vehicles rather than treating it simply as a conventional 25 km/h bicycle.

For riders in Germany, this means that the legal requirements are different from those of a standard pedelec.

According to Strange TV, he did not begin the process at the Zulassungsstelle. Instead, he went directly to an insurance company that could provide the required motor-vehicle liability insurance and Versicherungskennzeichen.

In his case, he chose HUK-Coburg.

According to Strange TV, the entire process took him only around five minutes.

The key documents he brought with him included:

• A valid identity document
• The vehicle's homologation documentation
• The vehicle information required by the insurer

After the insurance was arranged, he received an insurance plate (Versicherungskennzeichen).

For vehicles in this category, the insurance plate serves as proof of the required motor-vehicle liability insurance. The insurance year begins on March 1 and runs through the end of February of the following year.

For an L1e-B vehicle, valid insurance coverage and the corresponding Versicherungskennzeichen are required for legal road use, together with the vehicle's required approval and equipment.

What Does the Insurance Plate Mean?

The insurance plate provides proof that the required motor-vehicle liability insurance is in place.

Once the insurance is active and the plate is correctly installed, the vehicle can be used according to the rules applicable to its vehicle category.

The German regulations specify that the insurance plate must be securely attached to the rear of the vehicle.

For riders considering an L1e-B vehicle, this is an important distinction:

The vehicle's homologation and approval documents come first. The insurance process is then based on the vehicle's approved classification and the information provided to the insurer.

What Else Is Required on the Road?

Once the FF20 Polar HS is used as an L1e-B vehicle, it should be equipped and operated according to the applicable road regulations.

In his video, Strange TV points out several important differences compared with a normal 25 km/h e-bike.

Mirrors

After insuring the vehicle, he installed the mirrors supplied with the FF20 Polar HS.

Mirrors become particularly useful when riding at higher road speeds, where being able to monitor traffic behind you is much more important. ADAC lists rear-view mirrors among the equipment found on current S-Pedelecs.

Helmet

Strange TV also rides with a helmet.

German rules for high-speed two-wheeled vehicles require the appropriate protective equipment, and for S-Pedelecs, wearing a suitable helmet is required in Germany.

Driving Licence

Another important difference is the driving licence requirement.

Riders of 45 km/h S-Pedelecs generally need a valid Class AM driving licence in Germany. Class B also includes AM entitlement.

This is different from a conventional 25 km/h pedelec, which does not require a driving licence.

Public Roads Instead of Bicycle Paths

One of the biggest changes is where the vehicle can be ridden.

In Germany, 45 km/h S-Pedelecs generally have to use the road rather than bicycle paths. Special local exceptions may apply where specifically indicated.

In Germany, 45 km/h S-Pedelecs generally have to use the road rather than bicycle paths. Special local exceptions may apply where specifically indicated.

Strange TV follows this principle during his test ride.

Even when a bicycle path is available beside the road, he stays on the public road.

How to Insure and Get a License Plate for an L1e-B E-Bike in Germany

For riders who are considering an L1e-B electric bike in Germany, the process can be summarized in a few simple steps.

Step 1: Make Sure the Vehicle Is L1e-B Homologated

First, check that the vehicle has the appropriate L1e-B homologation and that you have the corresponding vehicle documentation.

For the FAFREES FF20 Polar HS, the homologation documentation confirms its L1e-B vehicle classification.

Step 2: Prepare Your Documents

Before visiting the insurance company, prepare:

• A valid ID card or passport
• The vehicle's homologation / CoC documentation
• The relevant vehicle information

Having these documents ready can make the process much quicker.

Step 3: Visit an Insurance Company

In Strange TV's case, he did not begin at the Zulassungsstelle. Instead, he went directly to an insurance company that could provide the required motor-vehicle liability insurance and Versicherungskennzeichen.

The exact procedure can depend on the vehicle's homologation and documentation, so riders should confirm the current requirements with their insurer or the relevant German authority.

Strange TV chose HUK-Coburg for his FF20 Polar HS and reported that the process took approximately five minutes.

The insurance company enters the vehicle information and calculates the insurance premium based on the relevant details.

Step 4: Purchase the Mandatory Liability Insurance

The mandatory basic insurance is Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung, which provides third-party liability coverage.

Once the insurance has been arranged, the insurer provides the corresponding insurance documentation and Versicherungskennzeichen.

The insurance year runs from March 1 to the end of February of the following year.

Step 5: Install the Insurance Plate and Required Equipment

After receiving the insurance plate, install it securely at the rear of the vehicle according to the applicable requirements.

Before riding on public roads, also make sure the vehicle has all equipment required for its L1e-B category, such as the appropriate mirrors and other legally required equipment.

Once the insurance is active, the insurance plate is correctly installed and all applicable requirements have been met, the vehicle can be used on public roads within the rules that apply to L1e-B vehicles.

In Short

The process can be summarized as:

Check the L1e-B homologation → Prepare your ID and vehicle documents → Contact an insurer offering the required coverage → Purchase Kfz-Haftpflichtversicherung → Receive the Versicherungskennzeichen → Install the plate and check required equipment → Make sure you meet the driving licence and helmet requirements → Ride according to German road regulations

For Strange TV, this entire process was completed in approximately five minutes at HUK-Coburg.

Strange TV's First Ride at Up to 45 km/h

After completing the insurance process, Strange TV wanted to answer a simple question:

What is the FF20 Polar HS actually like to ride on normal German roads?

His test was not limited to a short demonstration.

He rode through the city, along public roads, over uneven surfaces, up hills and alongside regular traffic.

And his overall impression was clear: the FF20 Polar HS felt capable of keeping up with normal urban traffic.

He tested different riding levels, with lower levels providing more moderate assistance and higher levels allowing the bike to reach progressively higher speeds.

On a suitable road section, he eventually reached approximately 45 km/h.

A Different Kind of Urban Riding Experience

One of the most interesting parts of Strange TV's experience was not the top speed itself, but how that speed changed his relationship with surrounding traffic.

At around 25 km/h, he felt that cars could catch up and overtake him more frequently.

At around 45 km/h, he found that he could travel at a speed much closer to the surrounding road traffic.

As he explains in the video, this made the FF20 Polar HS particularly interesting as a potential commuter vehicle.

For him, the bike could be suitable for:

• Commuting to work
• Shopping trips
• Travelling between nearby towns
• Longer urban and suburban journeys
• Everyday transportation when weather conditions allow

This does not mean that every road situation is automatically safer at a higher speed. Instead, it highlights one of the practical differences between riding a conventional bicycle and riding a properly homologated high-speed vehicle within its intended legal framework.

How Does the Suspension Perform?

The FF20 Polar HS uses a dual-battery setup and front suspension designed to handle more than perfectly smooth city roads.

During his ride, Strange TV repeatedly comments on the suspension.

He rides over uneven sections, changes in road surfaces and cobblestones, and notes that the suspension absorbs the impacts smoothly.

One of his most positive observations comes when riding over rougher surfaces.

Even when the road becomes noticeably uneven, he remains relatively stable on the bike.

For an electric vehicle capable of higher road speeds, this becomes especially important.

At 45 km/h, a small bump that feels insignificant at bicycle speeds can become much more noticeable.

The suspension therefore becomes an important part of the overall riding experience.

500W Motor and Strong Hill Performance

According to Strange TV's test, the FF20 Polar HS uses a rear-hub motor with a 500W nominal rating.

He also mentions approximately 65 Nm of torque and a peak power figure of around 860W in his video.

What impressed him most was not simply acceleration on flat roads, but the bike's ability to maintain its performance when climbing.

During the test, he rides up noticeable inclines while continuing to use the throttle.

The speed naturally decreases on steeper sections, but he does not feel that the motor becomes excessively weak.

For riders living in hilly areas, this is an important practical consideration.

A high-speed electric vehicle is not only about its maximum speed. Its ability to maintain useful power when starting, climbing and carrying the rider through everyday traffic can be just as important.

Two Batteries for Longer Rides

Another major feature of the FF20 Polar HS tested by Strange TV is its dual-battery configuration.

The bike in his video has:

• 2 × 13.4 Ah batteries
• Approximately 26.8 Ah combined capacity

One battery is mounted in the frame area, while the second battery is externally mounted at the rear.

During his test, Strange TV had one battery fully charged while the other had only been partially charged.

He also discusses how the two batteries can be used together rather than simply exhausting one battery before switching to the other.

For everyday riders, this setup provides an important advantage: more available battery capacity without requiring a single extremely large battery pack.

However, actual range will vary considerably depending on speed, rider weight, terrain, temperature, wind, tire pressure and riding conditions.

At sustained speeds approaching 45 km/h, energy consumption can also be significantly higher than when riding at conventional bicycle speeds.

What About the Tires?

Interestingly, one of Strange TV's few reservations was related to the tires.

The FF20 Polar HS is equipped with tires designed with a more versatile, off-road-oriented tread.

This worked well for him on uneven and less predictable surfaces.

However, during faster road riding, he sometimes felt that the tires could move slightly sideways, particularly on certain road surfaces.

On wet cobblestones and slippery roads, he became more cautious.

For riders who plan to use the FF20 Polar HS primarily as an urban road vehicle, Strange TV says he would personally consider switching to more road-oriented tires.

This is a useful observation because the "best" tire depends heavily on how the bike is used.

For mixed terrain, an aggressive tread can provide advantages.

For predominantly high-speed asphalt riding, a road-focused tire may provide a different feel and handling characteristics.

A Practical Commuter Rather Than Just a Fast E-Bike

After spending time riding the FF20 Polar HS on public roads, Strange TV sees its strongest application as an everyday transportation vehicle.

He specifically mentions commuting and shopping as practical use cases.

The combination of:

• L1e-B homologation
• Insurance coverage
• Rear insurance plate
• Up to 45 km/h road speed
• Front suspension
• Dual-battery capacity
• Rear-hub motor
• Compact folding design

makes the FF20 Polar HS quite different from a conventional 25 km/h e-bike.

It is not simply about having a higher top speed.

The entire riding experience changes because the vehicle is being used as a road-going motor vehicle within the applicable German regulations.

What Strange TV Thinks After the Test

After completing the test, Strange TV's overall impression of the FF20 Polar HS was positive.

He says that the power was sufficient for his needs, including uphill riding, and he particularly liked the suspension and overall build.

His main suggestion was to consider more road-oriented tires for riders who intend to spend most of their time on asphalt.

He also appreciated the practical aspects of the design, including its folding capability.

For his own use, he sees the FF20 Polar HS as particularly suitable for commuting, shopping and travelling through the city and between nearby areas.

From Certification to the Open Road

For Strange TV, the FF20 Polar HS became more than a fast electric bike after the insurance process.

It became a practical road vehicle that he could use for everyday journeys within the applicable German rules.

His experience also shows why L1e-B homologation is such an important part of a high-speed electric vehicle.

The combination of certification, insurance and appropriate equipment creates a completely different use case from that of a standard bicycle.

And once the paperwork is complete, the real test begins:

How does it feel to ride at 45 km/h on the road?

According to Strange TV, the answer is simple — the FF20 Polar HS has enough power for everyday riding, handles uneven roads confidently thanks to its suspension, and can make city and suburban commuting much more practical.

This article is based partly on Strange TV's personal riding experience and should not be considered legal advice. German road, insurance and vehicle requirements may change and can depend on the vehicle's exact homologation and configuration. Riders should confirm the current requirements with their insurer and the relevant German authorities before using an L1e-B vehicle on public roads.