How much does an electric bike cost?

Electric bikes are great for people that want to reduce their dependence on cars and try something else. Electric bikes enable you to ride even when you don’t want to do an intense workout because of the pedaling assistance they provide.

Cycling around has many known benefits, some of which include improved health and a good connection with the community. 

One thing that usually deters potential buyers from an electric bike is its cost; they are notoriously expensive for the average person.

How Much Do E-Bikes Cost

Ebikes cost anywhere between $300 to well over $10,000. This range of pricing is so wide because there are so many different variables that affect the pricing; from brand to model type to features available, so many things determine the pricing of electric bikes.

Why Are Electric Bikes So Expensive

Electric bikes are expensive because of the cost of research and engineering that go into producing an ebike. 

The motor, battery and general cost of the materials also play a big part in determining how expensive any given electric bike will be. 

Bikes with more features will cost more than bikes with less because they are more useful and more valuable to the customers.

Related post: Why are ebikes so expensive? In-depth

Factors That Affect the Cost Of E-Bikes

1. Motor

The performance and power of an e-bike’s motor play an important role in determining the cost of the bike. Basically, the better the motor, the more expensive the bike is. The motor uses energy from the battery to assist the user in cycling. 

Traditional bikes are powered by the user completely; hence they cost less. The motors for different types of bikes usually have to be specially designed. This increases the cost of labour and cost of the parts, and that in turn drives up the overall cost of the bike.

There are two main types of motors, mid-drive motors and hub motors. While both have their pros and cons, power is important when discussing a motor’s price tag and its effect on the price of the bike. 

Most e-bike motors come with a power rating of 250 watts to 750 watts. Higher rated motors generate more power than those with lower ratings and hence cost more. 

The decision to buy a more or less powerful motor is mainly dependent on what type of riding you plan on doing and the terrain you plan on going on. 

If you’re going through an area with hills, you’ll need a powerful motor that can propel you up quickly without having to pedal; in this instance, getting a more expensive bike with a more powerful motor is probably a wise choice. 

Related post: Can ebikes climb hills?

It’s important to note that the power output isn’t the only specification worth considering. 

For instance, a rear hub and a mid-drive motor can be rated for 500 watts but have different abilities to get you up a steep hill; a mid-drive motor will have a mechanical advantage and generate higher torque than a hub motor. You should always pay attention to torque in addition to watts.

2. Battery

The battery is also a main reason why the e-bike costs more than the traditional bike. An electric bike battery usually costs between $500 and $1,000 depending on its capability. 

Most e-bikes use light, efficient and rechargeable lithium batteries. How many miles of riding a battery can provide is what differentiates one battery from another.

The number of miles a rider gets out of a battery charge is determined by a number of factors, including the bike’s weight, the rider’s weight, the presence or absence of a headwind, the number of hills the bike is climbing, and the ratio of motor-generated and human-generated power used. 

If a cyclist, for example, pedals for most of the journey while using a low level of motor assistance, she will get more miles out of her battery charge than if she uses the motor as her only source of power. Also, a rider riding on flat ground will get more miles out of his battery than someone in a mountainous area.

Recommended reading: How far can an ebike go?

Because there are so many factors that influence how many miles a battery can offer, electric bike manufacturers commonly define batteries in mileage ranges that aim to account for a variety of riding styles and situations.

Overall, a high-quality electric bike battery should give between 20 and 50 miles of riding per charge. The more miles a battery can supply, the more expensive it will be, so before picking which electric bike is suitable for you, think about the type and range (distance) of riding you intend to undertake.

3. Bike Components

Because an electric bike is ultimately a bicycle, the combination of non-electric, non-motorized bicycle components utilized on an electric bike has a significant impact on the overall cost of the bike. 

When you upgrade bicycle components, you’re usually paying for lighter, stronger, and more durable components that function more efficiently than cheaper, lower-quality parts. 

For instance, more expensive suspension forks will be stronger and will respond to changes in terrain smoother than cheaper suspension forks.

Just like with the other factors mentioned, the type of components you need on your e-bike depends largely on the type of riding you would be doing and the type of terrain you would be riding on. 

If you’re going to be riding the bike on smooth paved surfaces, then you probably don’t need to pay the extra money for sturdy components. But if you’re going on rugged terrain, the extra cost is a necessary expense.

4. Materials used

Low-quality bike frames constructed from heavier, less durable materials are typically less expensive than high-quality bike frames made of lighter and stronger materials. 

It’s important to get a high-quality bike frame because the frame is the skeleton of the entire bike. Frames that are strong, reliable, and lightweight ultimately provide a better experience for riders, giving you a comfortable bike with good handling, one that you know you can depend on.

For example, carbon fiber frames are more expensive than aluminum frames. Other frame materials like titanium, steel and even bamboo have different effects on the cost of an e-bike. 

Different Types Of E-bikes By Cost

1. Electric Commuter Bike

These electric bikes are designed for comfort. They can be used to get someone from point A to point B or to go for a leisurely ride in the park. Commuter bikes are usually fitted with some form of cargo provision, like a rear rack, and they generally have cushioned seats that are upright. 

The frames can still be the standard diamond shape, but many commuter bikes have a step-through frame to make them easy to mount. Because commuter e-bikes are not particularly designed for speed and have a lot of features that make the ride more comfortable, they tend to be slightly heavy.

They usually come with a wide range of accessories and are customizable. The bike itself may not cost a lot, but if you add a lot of accessories, the price can go up quickly. The average cost of commuter bikes is $3,500.

Here are some top rated electric commuter bikes:

• Cannondale Adventure Neo 4 Bike – 2021 ($2,850)
• Aventon Level Commuter E-Bike ($1,799)
• Specialized Turbo Como SL 5.0 ($4,800)
• Stormer ST3 ($8,650)
• Bulls Urban Evo 10 ($3,999)

2. Electric Mountain Bike

E-Mountain bikes are definitely built for adventure. They are designed to travel on all types of terrain, withstand jumps and take sharp turns. Having motor assistance means you can go up the hills easier and ride down quicker as well. 

Mountain bikes have large wheels which allow you to ride over rocks, sand, and different types of obstacles on the ground. They have more suspension than other types of electric bikes, so uneven terrain isn’t much of a problem. 

Unfortunately, e-MTBs are more difficult to handle than regular mountain bikes because of the heavy battery and motor making the bike heavier. The added power means you can go further than you can on a regular mountain bike. Also, climbing hills on an e-MTB is much easier than with a regular mountain bike. The average cost of electric mountain bikes is $6,500.

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Examples of electric mountain bikes include: 

• Specialized Turbo Level Comp ($9,000)
• Commencal Meta Power TR Ride ($5,800)
• Orbea Rise H30 2022 ($6,405)
• Marin Alpine Trail E2 ($6,299)
• Scott Ransom eRIDE 910 ($7,830)

3. Electric Road Bike

Road e-bikes are one of the most recent developments in the e-biking world. They are made to travel long distances and reach high speeds. This is achieved through lighter frames; some frames are as light as 25 pounds. 

They also have the drop-bar handlebars that traditional road bikes have. This means the rider can lean forward for improved aero dynamism. 

Unfortunately, the speed limit regulations for electric bikes mean that the moment you hit a speed of 28mph, you are left to pedal by yourself. 

At this point, the battery and motor add nothing to your ride and just add weight to the bike. For this reason, some serious cyclists still prefer riding traditional road bikes. The light carbon frames and other materials make road e-bikes so expensive. 

Related post: Mountain bike vs road bike

It is hard to make an e-bike light because of the motor and battery, so a lot of effort and technology is required; this cost is then pushed onto the final consumer. The average cost of electric road bikes is around $6,000.

Here’s a list of popular electric road bikes:

• Ribble Endurance AL e ($3,000)
• Cannondale SuperSix EVO Neo 1 ($7,780)
• Giant Road E+ 1 Pro Electric Road Bike ($4,967)
• Colnago E-64 Ultegra DI2 Bike ($7,999)
• Trek Domane+ LT ($5,999)

4. Folding Electric Bike

If you want a portable go-to bike for work, travel and leisure, then it makes sense to get a folding electric bike. 

For this kind, you should have a budget of $1,500 to $3,500. These bikes can be expensive because of the extra folding mechanics of the bike and well-engineered construction. 

However, folding e-bikes also tend to be small in size for convenient storage on the move. This also helps reduce their overall cost. 

Folding electric bikes are the best if you’re looking for easy storage and portability. The average cost of folding electric bikes is $2,000.

Here are some popular folding ebikes:

• Rad Power RadMini ($1,499)
• E-Joe Epik Carbon ($1,699)
• Aventon Sinch ($1,699)
• GSD S10 Folding Electric Bike ($5,399)
• Vektron D8 Folding Electric Bike ($2,799)

5. Electric Cargo Bike

If the reason you’re getting a bike is not leisure biking, and you need a bike for your business, then an electric cargo bike is the choice for you. Cargo electric bikes are great for carrying a lot of things. 

The price can range from $1,800 to $8,000, usually depending on the features available. 

The cargo types are durable and sturdy enough to hold a lot of load. It is built to transport a heavy payload and weight. Due to this, the average cost of electric cargo bikes is $3,000.

Some popular electric cargo bikes are:

• Yuba Spicy Curry V3 Electric Bike ($4,999)
• Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 ($1,999)
• Tern GSD S00 LX ($6,799)
• Benno Remidemi 9D ($3,399)
• Blix Packa Genie ($1,999)

6. Fat Tire Electric Bike

Fat tire electric bikes are bikes that are good for going on the beach and on snow. It handles tough terrain really well. If you live in a region where it snows a lot, then this is a good choice for you. 

The extra width these tires have allows them to navigate all types of surfaces much better than thinner tires. The average cost of fat tire electric bikes is $3,000.

Some popular fat tire electric bikes are: 

• RadRover 6 Plus ($1,999)
• Velowave Ranger Electric Bike ($1,699)
• BAKCOU Storm G2 19″ Frame Electric Hunting Bike ($5,898)
• QuietKat Jeep E-Bike ($7,299)
• Himiway Zebra ($1,899) 

Most Expensive Electric Bikes

Since the launch of electric bikes, companies and manufacturers have competed to produce the best and be ahead of the market. If you are looking for premium electric bikes, they can cost as much as $10,000 and much more. 

Within this price range, you get to have the best components on the market. Some of the types of e-bikes in this price range are used for mountain biking that comes with top-class power and battery storage technology.

Some examples of expensive electric bikes are the Audi E-bike ($20,000), Hanebrink All-Terrain ($9,000), Specialized Turbo Levo SL ($15,300)

Cheapest Electric Bikes

Electric bike manufacturers also offer affordable entry-level electric bikes. If you are not looking to splash too much cash and want to switch to an e-bike, you can still find a bike that costs less than a thousand dollars; but you shouldn’t expect much. 

Cheap e-bikes offer basic quality with a regular battery system and motor power. Usually, the battery comes with less storage capacity and limited or no warranty. In terms of durability, don’t expect too much.

Some examples of cheap electric bikes are the Cyclamatic Power Plus CX1 ($750), Ancheer Folding Electric Bike ($370)

Other Electric Bike Costs

1. Cost Of Charging E-Bike

Apart from the initial cost of buying the bike, you have to plan for other costs you’re going to incur later on. One of these expenses is the cost of charging the electric bike. We have a separate article on this, and we’ll also show you how to calculate the cost for yourself. 

The average cost to charge an ebike from 0 – 100% is around 7 cents in the US. A person riding his ebike around 180 days a year should expect to spend $12.42 in annual charging costs

2. Maintenance Cost

E-bikes are not free from wear and tear, and a time will come when you will have to get your bike checked out. 

For a regular bike tune-up, you will have to fork out about $70 to $100. You should do this every 500 miles or after regular use every six months. 

Another maintenance cost you will need to think about is your e-bike brake adjustment. For this, you’ll often be charged about $20 to $35, depending on your bike needs. 

Lastly, pumping or patching a flat tire is common. Bike tires can easily wear out, especially if you use your bike regularly. Depending on the size of the patch, it can range from $10 to $20. Down the line, you may also need to replace your tires.

3. Insurance Cost

Even though most electric bikes come with warranties, protecting your bike with an insurance policy is recommended. The premium you’ll be paying depends on the span and coverage you want to get. 

The policy can cover batteries, motor, frame, and others. In this way, you are much safer using your bike in rugged and challenging terrains. 

An e-bike insurance policy can cost you anything in the range of $100 to $200 in premium per year, but you’ll get great benefits.

Find out just how fast ebikes can go?

Final Word

We’ve covered a lot in this article to give you a picture of how much it really costs to get an electric bike; and also how much it costs over time. We’ve also made it clear to you why it’s so expensive. 

In future, we expect that electric bikes will be cheaper and more affordable as they become more popular, but I wouldn’t hold my breath if I were you.

Thanks for reading, Cheers!