E-Bike Lighting Guide
Stay Safe & Visible - with the Right E-Bike Lights
Whether early in the morning, late in the evening, or in dull weather, the right lighting keeps you visible, safe, and compliant on your e-bike. Find out which lights are compatible, what brightness you need, and how to use your e-bike lighting correctly.
Why Good Lighting Is So Important for E-Bikes
When you are riding an electric bike, lighting is one of the most important safety features. Good lights not only help you see better, but also ensure that other road users can spot you in time.
✅ Better visibility in darkness, fog, or rain ✅ Early recognition by drivers & pedestrians ✅ Compliance with local regulations
Popular Tail Lights for Your E-Bike
E-Bike Tail Light with Brake Light Function - More Safety on Every Ride
Intelligent tail lights react instantly to braking and reliably signal to following traffic when you are slowing down.
With the right mounts, light cables, and other accessories, you can get the most out of your e-bike lighting. Front lights can be mounted traditionally on the fork or sportily on the handlebar, and tail lights on the luggage rack, seat post, or mudguard. Reliable power supply is ensured by the correct light cables, matched to motors from Bosch, Shimano, Brose, Yamaha, or Giant. Cables and lamps can be easily installed using Scotchlock or crimp connectors.
FAQ - E-Bike Lighting Buying Guide
Proper lighting on your e-bike is essential not only when it gets darker or autumn approaches. E-bike lights are part of the basic equipment all year round, especially if you ride daily and spend a lot of time in traffic. Modern headlights and tail lights offer many smart functions and make your e-bike shine in a whole new light. Find the e-bike lighting that suits you, your e-bike and your riding environment.
If you have questions about e-bike lighting, feel free to contact our customer service.
Which Light is Right for My E-Bike?
This question is not easy to answer as every rider uses their e-bike differently. However, there are some points to consider when looking for the best e-bike lighting for you.
Battery-powered or motor-powered e-bike lights?
An e-bike lighting system can be connected directly to the motor, providing power to front headlights and tail lights from your e-bike battery. This way, your lights are always ready when your e-bike is. Of course, you can also opt for battery-powered or rechargeable lights, which must be charged separately.
What happens when the e-bike battery runs out?
If your e-bike battery runs out during a ride, your lighting will not be left in the dark. In Germany, it is legally required that a depleted e-bike battery retains enough energy to power the lighting for at least 2 hours. This ensures you can safely reach your destination.
What Functions Should an E-Bike Light Have?
High-quality e-bike lights from well-known manufacturers like Busch & Müller, Supernova, Lupine provide strong brightness to be visible in traffic. Additional features increase safety, such as daytime running lights on the headlight and a brake light on the tail light. Many lights have sensors that control these features automatically. For night rides, bright and high-performance lights are recommended. There are also numerous high-beam headlights to improve road illumination.
The Right Connection is Crucial
Depending on your e-bike motor manufacturer, different connection cables are required. For brands like Bosch, Shimano or Giant, special cables are sometimes integrated directly into the lights. Always check the connection when buying e-bike lights or order a suitable cable.
Is Your E-Bike Lighting Powerful Enough?
Before retrofitting an e-bike lighting system, check compatibility with your bike. Pay attention to the voltage and ensure your motor can provide enough power. Note that the consumption of tail lights and headlights may need to be added together.
Overview of Maximum Light Output for Various E-Bike Systems
If you are unsure about compatibility, feel free to contact our customer service.
Where Should Your Light Shine?
Another important factor in choosing the right e-bike lighting is positioning. Headlights can usually be mounted on the fork crown or the handlebar. Depending on your preference, you need different mounts. Tail lights offer even more mounting options, typically on the seatpost, rack or integrated into the mudguard.
Can I Retrofit an E-Bike Light Myself?
In many cases, retrofitting or converting e-bike lighting can be done by yourself. You only need to connect the correct cables from the motor to your e-bike lights. Instructions are often included in the packaging or available online. Exercise caution with S-Pedelecs up to 45 km/h as special lighting requirements may apply.
Upgrading or Replacing E-Bike Lights
What to Consider?
Popular Front Headlights for Your E-Bike
Make Sure Your Headlight is Always Properly Adjusted
Check Motor Compatibility:
Not every headlight fits every e-bike system (e.g., Bosch, Shimano, Brose). Make sure the voltage matches (e.g., 6 V, 12 V, 42 V) and that the motor provides enough power.
Overview of Maximum Light Output for Different E-Bike Systems
► Bosch E-Bike Motors – Maximum Light Output
| System | Motor | Front Light | Rear Light | Accessory Port | Max. Total Output |
| Smart System | |||||
| 12 V | Performance Line CX Gen.5 | 18 W¹ | 18 W¹ | 12 W² | 30 W |
| 12 V | Performance Line SX Gen.5 | 12 W¹ | 12 W¹ | -² | 12 W |
| 12 V | Performance Line PX Gen.5 | 18 W¹ | 18 W¹ | 12 W² | 30 W |
| 12 V | Cargo Line Gen.5 | 18 W¹ | 18 W¹ | 12 W² | 30 W |
| 12 V | Performance Line Gen.5 | 18 W¹ | 18 W¹ | 12 W² | 30 W |
| 12 V | Performance Line CX Gen.4 | 18 W¹ | 18 W¹ | 12 W² | 30 W |
| 12 V | Cargo Line Gen.4 | 18 W¹ | 18 W¹ | 12 W² | 30 W |
| 12 V | Performance Line Gen.3 | 18 W¹ | 18 W¹ | 12 W² | 30 W |
| 12 V | Active Line Plus Gen.3 | 18 W¹ | 18 W¹ | 12 W² | 30 W |
| 12 V | Active Line Gen.3 | 18 W¹ | 18 W¹ | 12 W² | 30 W |
| Bosch E-Bike System 2 | |||||
| 12 V | Performance Line CX Gen.4 | 17.4 W | 0.6 W | 12 W | 30 W |
| 12 V | Cargo Line Gen.4 | 17.4 W | 0.6 W | 12 W | 30 W |
| 12 V | Performance Line Gen.3 | 17.4 W | 0.6 W | - | 18 W |
| 12 V | Active Line Plus Gen.3 | 17.4 W | 0.6 W | - | 18 W |
| 12 V | Active Line Gen.3 | 17.4 W | 0.6 W | - | 18 W |
| 6 V / 12 V | Performance Line CX Gen.2 | 9 W¹ / 18 W¹ | 9 W¹ / 18 W¹ | - | 9 W / 18 W |
| 6 V | Active Line Gen.2 | 6.6 W | 0.6 W | - | 7.2 W |
| Bosch Classic Line | |||||
| 6 V | Classic Line Gen.1 | 2.7 W | 0.3 W | - | 3 W |
► Shimano E-Bike Motors – Maximum Light Output
| Motor | System | Light Port | Accessory Port | Max. Total Output |
| EP8 / EP801 | 12 V | 24 W¹ | 24 W | 48 W |
| EP8 / EP800 | 12 V | 24 W¹ | - | 24 W |
| EP6 / EP600 | 12 V | 24 W¹ | 24 W | 48 W |
| E8000 / E8080 | 6 V | 12 W¹ | - | 12 W |
| E7000 | 12 V | 24 W¹ | - | 24 W |
| E6100 / E6110 / E6180 | 12 V | 24 W¹ | - | 24 W |
| E5000 / E5100 / E5080 | 12 V | 24 W¹ | - | 24 W |
► Yamaha E-Bike Motors – Maximum Light Output
| Motor | System | Light Port | Max. Total Output |
| PW-X3 | 12 V | 24 W¹ | 24 W |
| PW-X2 | 6 V | 9 W¹ | 9 W |
| PW-X | 6 V | 9 W¹ | 9 W |
| PW-ST | 6 V | 9 W¹ | 9 W |
| PW-SE | 6 V | 6 W¹ | 6 W |
Check Regulations & Choose the Right E-Bike Lighting:
Only lights with a road-legal or certified marking are permitted. It is important to decide what purpose the lighting should serve. Do you want to be safely seen in city traffic, or do you need to illuminate dark forest paths? Pay attention to the specifications of lux and lumens for optimal performance.
For a complete lighting setup you need:
- white front headlight
- red rear light
- white front reflector
- red rear reflector
- spoke reflectors
- pedal reflectors front & rear
Key for optimal visibility is lux - the illuminance.
Lumens (lm): measures the total amount of light a lamp emits.
Lux (lx): measures how much light actually reaches the road.
Our recommendation:
City traffic: 30-50 lux is sufficient
Country roads or forest paths: 70-150 lux ensure optimal illumination
Mounting Options for E-Bike Lighting
Front lights can either be mounted traditionally on the fork crown or more modernly on the handlebar. Fork mounting offers optimal visibility and is ideal for everyday commuting and touring. Handlebar mounting is particularly suitable for sporty e-bikes with high-beam lights - cables and switches can be neatly integrated here. Rear lights can be mounted on the luggage rack, seat post, or mudguard. There are also special solutions, for example for mounting on the saddle or for action cameras such as GoPro - offered by brands like Lupine or Supernova.
Connection & Mounting with the E-Bike System
The appropriate light cable ensures a reliable connection between the lamp and the motor. Depending on the drive system - Bosch, Shimano, Brose, Yamaha or Giant - there are specific light cables. Manufacturers like Supernova and Lupine also offer systems that can be connected directly to the motor.
Professional Installation
Incorrect wiring or connection to a PowerPort can damage the lighting system or the battery - when in doubt, it is better to watch one of our installation videos or have it installed by a specialist dealer or e-bike service.
We have the brightest front headlights for e-bikes. Discover lights suitable for every drive system.
Explore our tail lights for different e-bike drive systems. Saddle or rack mounting, with or without brake light.
We offer a wide range of equipment to make your e-bike brighter and safer. Stay visible at all times and ride safely!
Mounting Options for Front Lights on E-Bikes
Handlebar-Mounted Front Light
Fork-Mounted Front Light
Mounting Options for Tail Lights on E-Bikes
Tail Light Mounted on Luggage Rack
Tail Light Mounted on Seat Post
Tail Light Mounted on Mudguard
How to Install Front and Rear Lights on Your E-Bike
