xiaomi himo z20 electric folding bike legality

[Jamy]

A freind of mine is thinking of purchasing the Z20 for commuting to work but I'm a little confused over the legality of e-bikes with a throttle scooter mode.
I can't see how a scooter in the UK is only legal on private land but a throttle ebike can be legal to commute

 

[Growmac]

If it's got a throttle and it's a new bike then it's not legal for use on the road.

There is a cutoff before which some throttle bikes were okay - I can't remember details, but a forum search should reveal all.