[pjmlp]

What EU says and what each member state decides upon isn't alwayys the same thing.

So regardless how you feel like calling them, in Germany they are still sold as ebikes in name, even if conditions to drive them aren't the same.

In fact, the ebikes that require use of pedal are referred to as pedalec over here.

Additionally, Europe !== EU.

[hpaavola]

The very same limitations mentioned in the directive are in effect also in Germany. Bicycles with assistive motors up to 0.25 (nominal) kW and max assistive speed of 25km/h are effectively bicycles from law point of view. If the motor has more power and/or the max assistive speed is >25<45km/h, it's speed pedelec, not an electric bicycle. If the motor works without the rider pedaling at all, then it's a moped. The only difference here is that electric bicycles are in Germany called pedelec when pretty much rest of the world calls them ebikes.

[pjmlp]

If you ask a random person on the street how all of those are called, most likely they will answer ebike.