How Much Do Electric Bikes Cost?

The cost of owning an electric bike is different from that of a traditional bicycle. Electric bikes have special components, such as electric motors, which are not found on traditional bicycles. While this does factor into the total cost of ownership, it is important to remember that you can still get the electric bike that you want and at a fair price too.

In this article, you will find out how much an electric bike costs and the different factors that go into ebike pricing.

• What is the Average Cost of an eBike?
• Price Ranges for Different Types of Electric Bikes
• Factors Affecting the Cost of Electric Bikes
• Choose the Right eBike to Fit Your Needs
• Maintenance and Operating Costs
• Cost Comparison: eBikes vs Cars

What is the Average Cost of an eBike?

The average cost of an eBike depends on the make and model that you choose. These include the type of eBike, the quality of the materials, and bonus accessories. Professional shipping and assembly will also increase the cost.

As a general rule of thumb, though, the average cost of a new electric bike will start at around 999 USD. At this ebike price point, you can get yourself a quality electric bike. One with a decent travel range, a powerful rear hub or mid-drive motor, durable fat tires, and a top speed of at least 21 mph.

Price Ranges for Different Types of Electric Bikes

Here is an itemized breakdown of the average ebike price points for different types of electric bikes. Whether you are in the market for an off-road mountain bike or a city cruiser, you can use these estimates as a reference during your shop.

Fat Tire E-Bikes

The average price range of a fat tire eBike is from $999 to $1,499. Fat tire eBikes have at least 20x4” tires with a front suspension fork, mechanical or hydraulic brakes, and a 7-speed or 9-speed gear system. Most fat tire eBikes have at least a 750w motor, but you can usually upgrade them to 1,000w and higher.

Folding E-Bikes

Folding eBikes can hold in half, where you can latch and unlatch the frame at the center. This feature enables you to store and transport the eBike in more confined spaces, which is ideal for increasing storage capacity. Folding electric bikes have an average price point of $999 to $14,999.

Off-Road E-Bikes

Off-road eBikes are designed to handle tough conditions and navigate rugged terrain. They have larger and wider tires than regular eBikes as well as dual suspension systems. They also have powerful motors for climbing steep hills, with a minimum 750w power output.

The average starting price of an off-road electric bike is at least $1,399, with more feature-rich models going for higher.

Cargo eBikes

Cargo eBikes can transport a large volume of goods and have an average maximum payload capacity of 400 to 440 lbs. They are ideal for urban commuting, especially for couriers and delivery drivers. You can attach front and rear baskets, along with pannier bags, directly to the frame. In terms of ebike pricing, the average cost of a cargo eBike starts at around $1,200 to $1,400.

Mountain eBikes

The design principles between mountain and off-road eBikes are similar. They have fat tires, front fork or dual suspension systems, and mechanical or hydraulic disc brakes. Also, mountain bikes and off-road bikes tend to have more powerful motors, so they may not be street legal. The average price of a mountain eBike is between $1,200 to $1,499 and higher.

Commuter eBikes

Commuter eBikes are ideal for riding in urban environments, such as congested cities and quiet suburbs. They are more affordable than off-road and mountain eBikes due to their simple construction. Even still, commuter eBikes can handle light off-road applications, such as bike trails. Their average starting price is around $999 and higher.

Factors Affecting the Cost of Electric Bikes

As we said previously, the main factors that influence the cost of an electric bike are the build quality, materials, and components. These include the motor power, battery capacity, frame material, and bonus accessories. Let’s take a closer look at these price factors in detail.

1. Motor Power

The motor power and type of motor will influence the cost of your electric bike. The more powerful and complicated the motor, the more expensive the electric bike. However, a higher-wattage motor is not always the more expensive option.

For example, the Heybike HERO 750w mid-drive motor is more powerful (and a higher price) than the 1000w rear-hub motor. Mid-drive motors have a torque sensor instead of a pedal-assist sensor, providing a smoother power transition.

2. Battery Capacity

In terms of price, the same logic you apply to motors applies to batteries. Higher-capacity batteries are heavier (and more expensive) than lower-capacity batteries. High-capacity batteries have a longer travel range, with a 45 to 65-mile range on a single charge.

Electric bikes like the Heybike Hauler have a dual battery system. This configuration lets you equip up to two batteries, giving you a maximum range of 85 miles.

3. Frame Material

Most electric bike frames are made of aluminum and carbon fiber, as well as titanium steel and alloy.

• Aluminum - Aluminum is the most affordable material, offering solid construction. It offers lightweight performance and corrosion resistance.
• Carbon fiber - Carbon fiber is more expensive than aluminum. It is 36% lighter and offers superior shock absorption and wind resistance, resulting in faster acceleration.
• Steel - Steel used to be standard, but it has fallen out of favor due to advancements in aluminum and carbon fiber technology. The material is still used in cross-country cycling for its excellent shock absorption.

4. Additional Features

Electric bikes often come with additional features. These are optional extras to enhance the safety, comfort, and functionality of your ride. These include storage accessories like carry baskets, pet bike baskets, and bike rack pannier bags. You can typically attach these storage accessories directly to your bike frame.

Other features include bike covers, phone mounts, mirrors, high-density saddles, and spare batteries.

Choose the Right eBike to Fit Your Needs

Now that you understand what goes into the price of an electric bike, let us discuss how to choose an ebike that best fits your needs. Ideally, you want an ebike that suits your budget, riding preferences, and sense of style.

You should also consider the long-term maintenance costs. The good news is that these costs are much lower than gasoline-powered vehicles.

Here are some of the most important pointers to consider:

• Motor power: More powerful motors can go faster than less powerful ones but at the expense of increased weight and energy usage.
• Battery capacity: Higher-capacity batteries will take you further on a single charge. But the increased weight and bulk may reduce rider comfort.
• Frame material: Aluminum is a great all-rounder material frame choice. Carbon fiber offers superior lightweight performance. And steel is ideal for heavy-duty cross-country cycling.

In terms of maintenance costs, let’s quickly cover that now.

Maintenance and Operating Costs

Maintenance and operating costs refer to the money you spend on keeping your electric bike in great shape. These include the cost of cleaning, minor repairs, re-lubricating, replacing batteries, and routine services.

Some electric bikes are more expensive to maintain than others due to their design complexity and usage. For example, off-road electric bikes are used on harsh terrain like loose gravel, mud, sand, and snow. Therefore, they are more prone to damage and wear and tear than commuter electric bikes.

Typical Maintenance Costs

As the owner of an electric bike, here are some of the most common maintenance costs you may encounter:

• Mechanical maintenance: About $50 to $150 once per year depending on the repair shop.
• Tire replacement: While the lifespan of your tires will vary based on usage, you can expect to pay around $50 to $100 per tire to replace them.
• Degreaser and lubricant: Electric bike degreasers and lubricants cost anywhere from $30 to $50 or more depending on where you shop.

Battery and Charging Costs

The average lifespan of a battery is about 500 to 1,000 charging cycles.

Depending on riding frequency, this range takes about three to five years to reach. And the cost of a replacement battery can be anywhere from $300 to $700.

The average cost of charging an electric bike depends on your local electricity rate and e-bike battery wattage. To calculate the cost of charging, use the following formula:

Cost of charging = Battery capacity (in kWh) x electricity rate (in $/kWh)

If you live in Arizona, the current local electricity rate (as of January 2024) is 13 cents. Then, if you have a 750w e-bike battery, convert it to kWh. To do this, move the decimal place for your wattage number three places to the left, turning 750w into 0.750 kWh.

Lastly, perform the final calculation:

0.750 x 0.13 = 0.0975

Based on this calculation, it would cost just over 90 cents to charge your e-bike battery from zero to full.

Cost Comparison: eBikes vs Cars

When it comes to comparing the cost of an eBike vs car, the answer is simple.

Passenger vehicles have a much higher upfront and ongoing cost than electric bikes. The price of a used car can start at a few thousand dollars. And the cost of a new car can start anywhere from 15 thousand to 20 thousand dollars and up. By comparison, the entry price of a new electric bike is $999. Higher-end models tend to sit in the range of $3,000 to $5,000 and up.

What about ongoing costs? According to recent research, the average cost of a check engine light repair is $392.57. In addition, the most common check engine light repair service is replacing the catalytic converter, which costs $1,355 on average. On the other hand, electric bikes rarely cost more than a few hundred to maintain each year. Plus, the cost of a replacement battery rarely exceeds $1,000.

Final Thought

As you can see, the cost of owning and operating an electric bike varies considerably. Your choice of electric motor, battery capacity, frame material, and features will determine the price.

For this reason, it’s important to choose an electric bike that suits your riding preferences and budget. By doing so, you’ll get the most out of your riding experience and at a fair price too!