One of the main concerns that people have before buying an electric bike is How far can you go on an electric bike.
When it comes to an electric bike, electric car or any other mode of transport that runs on electricity, the major concern that people face is – what if the battery dies in the middle of nowhere?
Well, let me assure you an average electric bike can go up to 18-25 miles in a single charge and powered bikes can deliver the range of 25-50 miles.
However, many other factors determine the actual range of an electric bike.
According to the people who are already using the electric bikes for daily commute have hardly faced this issue.
Moreover, you can charge your electric bike at any place like your mobile or laptop.
Another thing which your need to remind yourself is not all electric bikes are of the same category and every manufacturer tells you beforehand how far the particular electric bike can go.
Although, the theoretical range of an electric bike is always lower than the actual range simply because of the riding speed of an individual and the load capacity of the bike.
Thus, I advise electric bike enthusiasts to invest in an e-bike that is meant to fulfill their needs.
It is not easy to answer how far can you go on an electric bike because it depends on the battery power and motor speed of every specific model.
For instance, a 250W battery power electric bike is the lowest power bike available in the market and it can easily go up to 18-20 miles if operated on fully motored or highest pedal assistant level.
Thus, your battery will last for at least 1-2 hours but we all ride at different speeds and take breaks which automatically increases the range of an electric bike.
According to the electric bikes laws in the US, the legal speed limit of an e-bike for the Class 1 and 2 categories is 20MPH and Class 3 e-bikes are allowed to travel at 28 MPH but they come with other restrictions.
Class 1 and 2 category e-bikes are very common and come in vast varieties.
Know more about the difference between Class-2 & Class-3 from my another detailed blog.
So even if you are going at full speed which is quite unlikely, an average electric bike can provide you the range of 20 miles in a single charge.
Factors That Determine How Far Can You Go On An Electric Bike.
Many factors affect the range of an electric bike and determine how far can you go on an electric bike.
Generally, manufacturers provide the range detail of every model on the box and you can compare the specifications on the internet of e-bike range within your price range.
Class 1 and Class 2 bikes are acceptable in every state of the United Nations but I would advise you to look up your state regulations to avoid any issue.
Class 3 e-bikes have the highest distance range and speed and they are mostly used by a professional cyclist as they are difficult to manage and require years of experience.
However, If you want to calculate exactly how far can you go on an electric bike of your choice then you need to consider a few things to find the actual range of your e-bike.
Here are a few factors that can influence your e-bike range and help you to choose your best e-bike that is made to fulfill your specific needs.
Factors that determine how far can you go on an electric bike are:
1. Battery
A 36V 12 Ah battery is sufficient for a 250W – 350W powered motor for inner-city road drives and casual rides but if you are looking for an e-bike for daily commute I would advise you to opt for a 48V lithium battery e-bikes which you can get at very affordable rates.
If you want an e-bike for long-distance travel or rough or hilly terrains then buy a high-voltage battery e-bike.
If you want to buy a good battery that lasts longer, then Click Here.
2. Motor/ Power
The motor consumes most of the battery power. If you are going at full speed then you will exhaust your battery faster than ever.
It also depends on high heavy the motor is in an e-bike. So if you are opting for a heavy motorbike then your bike will only deliver the prescribed range on a single charge.
In such cases, you can carry an extra battery or charge your bike in between your breaks.
3. Type Of Tires
Many people don’t realize that the tires of an e-bike play an important role in determining the range and speed of an electric bike.
Soft tires are always less efficient and will gradually lower the range of your bikes. Therefore, you need to consider the quality of the tires before buying an e-bike.
Inner-city e-bikes tires are different from mountain bikes so buy the bike that is made to fulfill your needs to determine how far you can go on an electric bike.
4. Level Of Assistance
Most of the e-bikes come with different levels of power assistance but if you choose a bike with only one 1-level of assistance then you will decrease your distance range and have to put more effort into climbing hills or riding off-road trails.
The advantage of multiple levels of assistance is you can choose low levels on flat terrains and choose a high level of assistance while climbing hills and rough roads.
Multiple levels of assistance can increase the range of electric bikes by 5-10 miles and it is something which you can experience yourself.
5. Weather Conditions And Terrains
you won’t find this factor on any box or manual but experienced e-bike riders and enthusiasts say weather conditions can affect how far you can go on an electric bike.
Sunny weather offers 15% more range than rainy weather. Thus, be careful while choosing your electric bike.
If you live in an area where it always raining or snowing then your distance range will impact automatically. In such cases, I would advise you to opt for fat-tire bikes and cruisers for long-distance travel.
6. Load Capacity
Every manufacturer provides the load capacity of their e-bikes as it is one of the major factors that can impact the speed and distance covered by the e-bike.
Low-end e-bikes have a load capacity of at least 250lbs but if you want to use your e-bikes for carrying load then you must invest in high-end e-bikes with higher load capacity without compromising with speed, distance, and quality performance.
Conclusion on How Far Can You Go On An Electric Bike?
Now, you know exactly how far can you go on an electric bike in theory and reality. An average e-bike if rides at high-powered assistance can easily provide you the range of 18-25 miles on flat terrains and roads.
In short, buying an electric bike is an adventure in itself. My suggestion is to first identify your needs and price range and then choose the best electric bike accordingly.
This way you will get the desired range and speed without compromising quality and performance. For casual strolls, any e-bike under $1000 will work but if you want to carry a load or looking for an e-bike for constant hilly roads then opt for a high-powered mountain bike with quality tires and multiple levels of assistance is advisable.