How much customs clearance for e-bike batteries
People don’t usually think about customs clearance when shipping e-bikes battery. And if you don’t know what to expect in fees, for example, import duties, this can be very costly. The price of shipping lithium-ion batteries is one of the most important factors to consider when it comes time to ship your order. Customs clearance for e-bike batteries can be difficult because many different variables come into play with the pricing.
In this post, we will go over some basics on shipping e-bike batteries and provide tips with further information on how you can save money in the e-bike industry as well as other areas related to international shipping.
The methods of shipping an e-bike battery
The methods of shipping an e-bike battery can vary a lot, depending on the size and type of battery, for example, lithium-ion batteries, and lead-acid batteries.
The most common way to ship a lithium battery, such as the electric bicycle battery, electric scooter battery, electric motorcycle battery, and electric motor battery, is via ground shipping. This method includes truck transportation from one location to another in order for delivery or pickup by individuals at either end of the transport route. While this option does not include air travel (which can be more expensive), it will take longer than other forms of the ship such as FedEx overnight service, which requires no pickup and delivers quickly after leaving the warehouse in Kansas City where your product may originate. The cost difference between these two types of shipments could amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in some cases because time spent in transit adds up over both distances traveled and a number of days involved before completing its journey toward the final destination.
Shipping a battery by sea is advantageous in some situations. If you have a larger piece of equipment that would be too expensive to ship using another form of ground transportation, shipping it this way may be the best option for you. It’s also often a good choice when you need your lithium batteries in a certain area quickly or in high quantities, because there are more ports available along with coastal areas which means more frequency and longer periods when the ships are traveling from one port to another, like as from one country to another.
The downside of shipping by sea is that it can often be more expensive than other methods and the process can take longer, especially if your destination is a port ( in another country )on the other side of the world.
Despite its disadvantages, air cargo remains one of the most popular ways to send batteries, whatever lithium batteries or lead acid batteries. This option offers some distinct advantages, such as quick delivery times (usually less than 48 hours) and lower transportation costs for lighter items. However, because air cargo involves flying your product through the air in a plane, it’s also usually more expensive than other shipping options.
When you’re looking to have an e bike battery, electric scooter battery or electric motorcycle battery sent somewhere, it’s important to consider all of these factors so you can choose the best way ship your battery and get it where you need it as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.
Air shipments of batteries need to be done by air cargo. They are expensive but most reliable because they don’t sit on the ground waiting for traffic congestion, etc.
There are a few things to consider when shipping batteries using air cargo. Because the batteries are dangerous goods. For one, you need to have an FAA-approved manifest for the shipment. You also need to have documents confirming that the battery is compliant with IATA regulations. And finally, you should know the weight of the battery so it can be properly classified as “heavy.”
How much does shipping an e bikes battery cost？
This is a question that we get asked a lot, and the answer can vary depending on the battery size and weight.
For a lithium-ion battery that weigh up to 50 pounds, the cost of shipping will usually be around 50-60. However, for lithium ion battery that weigh more than 50 pounds, the cost of shipping will be higher, typically costing between 75 and 100.
Shipping by air will be more expensive because the cost of shipping per pound is higher. Instead, shipping by sea is usually cheaper–whether you use a freight shipping service or private shipping service.
But, as with anything, it’s important to do your research and compare before making a decision as there are many different regulations and regulatory requirements for different countries.
We hope this article has been helpful in answering some of your questions about shipping e-bike batteries. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re always happy to help!
Shipping e-bike batteries by sea is usually the cheapest option, but it also takes the longest amount of time–from three weeks up to a month depending on the destination. This method of transport is generally used for large shipments.
The cost difference between these two types of shipments could amount to hundreds or even thousands of dollars in some cases because time spent in transit adds up over both distances traveled and the number of days involved before completing its journey toward the final destination or country.
When you are considering how to ship an e-bike battery, you should find some reliable shipping services.
For example, I think that the best option is the world cargo alliance which provide very affordable price and fast shipment. Also, uShip is another good choice for us if we want to save more money. It connects users who need something shipped with carriers willing to take on their deliveries at a low cost–typically lower than what’s offered by freight brokers or major logistics companies. You can post your shipment details in minutes and then start receiving bids from hundreds of service providers competing for your business! U-ship offers free instant quotes direct from verified transport companies so no third-party fees！ It’s really helpful!
There’s a lot to consider when shipping an e-bike battery, but by understanding the different options and their associated costs, you can make an informed decision about how to get your battery, no matter electric bicycle battery, electric scooter battery, or electric motorcycle battery, to its destination.
Why is shipping an e-bike battery so expensive?
The lithium battery alone can be up to 800 and some e-bikes have two of them. Shipping a single lithium ion battery weighs around 25 pounds so it is no wonder that the price is so high, especially if you are shipping across an ocean or overseas. If there were cheaper options I am sure many people would use this type of transport instead of flying with their bike in tow on a plane. There has not been any significant changes regarding for several years which means we will just need to budget for this cost when buying our new bikes online from China or Europe.
Of course, the shipping cost is affected by the type of battery. The battery is classified as dangerous goods so it will come with an additional charge on top of the price of shipping the lithium battery itself. Some companies will ship the lithium battery in a separate package which can incur an additional fee.
The weight of the lithium battery is also a factor. A heavier lithium battery means that it will cost more to ship. So, when you are ordering your new e-bike, electric motorcycles, make sure to take into account cost of import e bikes batter. It’s definitely not cheap!
But, at least we know what to expect and can budget for it accordingly. Because Tritek is one of experienced Chinese manufacturers, we throughly familiar with ebike battery pack manufacturing process, which including battery installed. Hopefully, over time, as this form of transportation becomes more popular, the price of shipping ebike battery will go down. In the meantime, let’s all do our part to help spread awareness about e-bikes and their many benefits!
How do you package electric bike batteries for shipment?
When packaging an e-bike battery to ship, it is important to make sure that it is secure and will not be damaged in transit. As per new regulations, one way to do this is to apply the UN package. The UN package is a type of packaging that is used to protect cargo during transport. It is made up of three parts: the outer box, the inner box, and the cushioning material.
The outer box is the largest and strongest part of the package. It is made from corrugated cardboard and is designed to protect the inner boxes from damage. The inner box is smaller than the outer box and is made from cardboard or plastic. It holds the lithium batteries in place and protects them from impact damage. The cushioning material, which can be made from foam peanuts, bubble wrap, or packing paper, helps to absorb shock and keep the battery safe during transport.
When packaging an e-bike battery to ship, make sure that you use a sturdy outer box, an inner box if necessary, and plenty of cushioning material to protect the lithium batteries during transport. This will help ensure that your battery arrives at its destination safely and securely.
Many people don’t realize that importing e-bikes’ batteries are flammable, which means there is the potential for fire if they are not packaged correctly. When transporting your e-bike batteries it’s important to make sure they have minimal exposure to heat or flames – this includes any type of direct sunlight you may experience during shipment! Make sure that your package has plenty of cushioning material inside in order to absorb shock as well. This will help ensure your electric bicycle battery arrives at its destination safely and securely.
Mention if there are any specific requirements for mailing an e-bike battery: Because batteries (including electric bicycle batteries, electric scooters batteries, electric motorcycles battery) contain hazardous materials such as sulfuric acid, lithium-ion cells, or other types of heavy metals, there are specific requirements that must be met in order to mail them. The United States Postal Service (USPS) has a detailed guide on their website about what is required when shipping lithium-ion batteries – make sure you familiarize yourself with these guidelines before sending your battery off!
Tips for purchasing insurance coverage for your shipment
When you are shipping an e-bike battery, it is important to make sure that you have the proper insurance coverage. This will help to protect your battery in case of damage or loss during transit. Here are a few tips for purchasing insurance coverage for your shipment:
- Make sure that you purchase insurance from a reputable company.
- Read the terms and conditions of the policy carefully.
- Be aware of any exclusions that may apply.
- Get proof of delivery for your shipment. This will provide evidence that the package was delivered safely to its destination.
- Find out what the insurance company’s customer service is like. This will help you to be able to resolve any issues that may arise on time.
Are there any other ways to save money on shipping my electric bicycle’s battery
There may be one way to help to reduce the cost of the bike’s battery. You can send your battery in for recycling, which will save you the costs of shipping. Every e-bike battery contains essential metals that are used in new batteries, so each one is recycled before it enters a landfill.
Batteries are then crushed, melted down, and reformed into new batteries. The process of recycling e-bike batteries is very safe for the environment because it reduces harmful greenhouse gases that would otherwise be released in a landfill. This way you can help protect our planet while also saving money on shipping costs!
In this blog post, we have discussed the best way to package an e-bike battery for shipment. We have highlighted some of the dangers that can occur during transport and provided tips on how to prevent them from happening. We also mentioned the specific requirements that need to be met in order to mail a bike battery. Hopefully, after reading this post, you feel confident in packaging your own e-bike battery for shipment. Thanks for following us! Shenzhen Tritek Limited is with over 10 years of experience in the industry, our company has worked with some of China’s top manufacturers. We have a network of contacts throughout Shenzhen and beyond – so no matter what type or size battery you need, we can find it for you. Let us handle all aspects of customization from design through production.so all you have to worry about is riding!
How Much Does an Electric Bike Battery Cost?
Electric bikes can be fantastic for running errands, getting to work, or just cruising around. The battery, is the power source of an electric bike, and is the most important as well as expensive component of it. Normally, the battery sells along with the bike as a combo sale, so there is no need to acquire it extra.
However, a spare is necessary if you intend to do cycling on a daily basis or have a long cruising in case of unexpected power failures. Here comes the second question:
How much exactly does a battery cost?
Anywhere between 500 and 900 for a new high-quality battery is the short answer, so let’s look into some details and decode the pricing of an electric bike battery.
The primary price of a battery could fluctuate, depending on its size, material and charging cost. After analyzing the three factors, this article aims to offer you some tips you might find useful in selecting and maintaining your battery.
Size of the Battery
48V and 52V are the most comparable sizes in the market, and they come with different capacities. The bigger an electric bike’s battery is, the higher the capacity it has, meaning a larger amount of charge the battery can store, and its lifespan is also longer.
Another function a battery size can affect is the cruising range. Compared with the commonly-seen 48V 15Ah battery which can sustain a range as far as 40 miles at full charge, a 52V 15Ah battery from Magicycle is able to cover 55 miles at the most. No wonder it is priced more.
Material
Batteries made up of different materials feature varying lifespans, thus leading to price difference, among which lithium is quite a thing. Raw material underpins the basics of the final price, so lithium price consists of a big part of the lithium battery. But why lithium particularly?
With a range up to 55 miles Magicycle electric bike was created for your commute, source: Magicycle.
A great advantage of Lithium batteries is represented by its intense power, meaning that it provides the most power per unit of volume among the others. This is great for the battery because it will last for a long time, holding the charge better, while keeping the electric bike relatively light.
As the most expensive and most commonly used type of electric bike battery in the market, Lithium-ion battery come out with optimized efficiencies and longer lifespans. It focuses on lightness and can be made in various shapes and sizes, making them suitable for nearly any type of electric bike. It is because of these qualities that this battery has the highest market price among the others of lower price like Nickel battery and Lead battery.
Charging Cost
Another give-out directly associated with the battery’s cost is the charging of the battery. This expenditure is often overlooked because it proceeds after the battery purchase. However, according to many buyers who complain about low charging efficiency, charging could take a large proportion of the expenditure pie.
An average range electric bike could keep going for 5-7 hours. After this, the rider could either pedal their ebike or recharge their battery. Recharging the electric bike battery means continuously using an electric source for 4-6 hours. Electric bikes that have higher capacities require longer charging periods, which could take up to 6-18 hours.
However, the electricity rate in the USA could float between 5-dollar cents/kWh to almost 36-dollar cents/kWh. Therefore, charging for a long time is quite expensive. Thus, selecting a Smart, adept and efficient charger is a real bargain.
While the average charger in the market requires more than six hours to fill the juice, the battery charger of Magicycle only needs 3-5 hours, protecting the lifespan of the battery as well as sparing you a huge bill. As said, technology contributes to energy conservation.
Considering the three basics that build up the battery cost, next we will have a brief review of the mainstay batteries of lithium batteries.
Price comparisson between regular Li-ion batteries and the Lithium battery provided by Magicycle, image source: Magicycle
If you enter an electric bike store with a budget around 500 USD at hand in getting a new high-quality branded 48V pack, it would probably suffice. Rather, if you are intending a 52V, it needs somewhere near 600 dollars.
In addition to that, there are several tips worth buyers’ attention:
Purchase and replace your battery in an authorized store.
Be aware of the date of manufacture (DOM) and brand logo.
Make sure the new battery replacement is compatible with your electric bike. It is okay if you want to upgrade or downgrade the capacity, but to stay the same with the original size is recommended because the previous size matches your charger and if it allows too much current to pass, your battery could get overheated, which could severely damage your battery’s life expectancy.
After loading the battery, check the welding and screws and make sure they stand at the right point.
Store the bike in a cool and dry space to preserve its lifespan.
Last but not least, in getting a new battery replacement or spare, it is important to prolong its lifespan and a well-maintained battery might even largely outlive its lifespan.
Inevitably there is wear and tear of the battery until one day it dies away, then what can we do to extend the process? We may use some simple tricks about charging.
According to battery engineers, charging batteries to a full 100% is not necessarily a good idea. This downsizes their capacities and affects their life. Furthermore, every time your e-bike gets charged after a complete discharge, its capacity would reduce as well.
For electric bike batteries, an optimal charging range is between 20% to 90%. Based on this, the suggestion is to charge frequently and avoid charging it below or beyond the optimal range, and don’t forget to always turn your e-bike off after using it. This saves its battery life.
After all, the cost of electric bike battery is both manufacturing-and- maintenance depended. After acquiring one, we need to take care of it so as to make a full use of its cost.
Magicycle 52V can be considered the most powerful Electric Bike for Adults only because it provides both long range and power at an affordable price.
Article written by: Danny Ovy
I am a writer and reporter for the clean energy sector, I cover climate change issues, new clean technologies, sustainability and green cars. Danny Ovy
How Much Does an Electric Bike Cost?
You jump on your ebike. As the smile spreads across your face, you aren’t thinking about how much an electric bike costs.
You feel good, happy. You’re having fun. And if you are replacing a car-trip, you’re even saving money.
That aside, as enthusiastic as our customers are, everyone is wondering how much does an electric bike cost.
A Quick Review Of Ebike Prices
Like most products, ebikes come in a wide range of prices, driven by a range of quality and performance offerings. Ebikes cost anywhere from 800 to 8,000. That’s quite a range, right?
This range in price is due to the range in quality of components and the assembly. An ebike make on an overseas assembly-line with lower quality parts will be the cheapest. A hand-built custom electric bike made with quality components will cost a little more, though it may have a lower life-span cost.
Low-Budget Ebikes
The low-cost electric bicycles will have the lowest quality components, like no-name brand batteries and motors. The lower quality of regular bike components can also result in higher maintenance costs.
You’ll also see batteries with low watt hours, meaning you don’t have as much
The lowest cost ebikes are made in overseas factories, sold online only, and are not available in electric bike shops. These ebikes may also have very limited warranties, if any.
Functional and Custom Ebikes
Higher quality electric bikes cost around 1900 and go on up to 3000. Electric bikes in this price range start to have high quality hub motors, removable batteries, and suspension forks. Many of these ebikes are perfect for the daily commute, running errands around town, and regular pleasure trail and street riding.
For example, you get a quality custom built fat tire electric bike in this price range.
In this category of ebikes, you can expect name-brand batteries like Panasonic and Samsung and motors made by Bafang and Bosch. You can also expect known brand bike-components for brakes and shifters (Tektro, Shimano) on the electric bike.
Included in this category are most electric cargo bikes. E Cargo bikes cost a little more than their standard frame size counterparts. Higher costs are due to the larger frame, motor and battery requirements and other extra components required for a larger bike. For example, a quality electric cargo bike will have a dual kickstand.
Electric cargo bikes are a cost effective form of transportation.
You can purchase a custom ebike in this price range. Most custom ebikes are built in the USA and are built to order. You can select from a broader range of color combinations and styling options. Most custom electric bikes end up costing between 2200-2500.
Specialty Ebikes
The most expensive electric bikes tend to be those specifically designed for downhill mountain biking, hunting, or electric road bikes. These bikes will start in the mid 3000s, and go on up to 8,000 per electric bike.
An electric mountain bike will have full suspension, and requires a mid-drive motor. Both the rear-suspension and mid-drive motor add significantly to the cost, and on-going maintenance costs.
An electric bike that is designed to ride and feel like a high-end road bike will have a mid-drive motor. These bikes will also have other higher cost components matching what you might find on a high end road bike.
Maintenance Costs of An Electric Bike
Electric bikes, like bicycles and cars, do require some maintenance. Regular maintenance for moving parts like the chain will extend the life of the part. This can also give you a smoother and quieter ride.
We recommend a basic tuneup every 400 to 500 miles. This will include a full safety inspection, lubricating the chain and cables, check and adjust bearings, and adjusting the brakes and shifting. A basic tune-up for hour ebike will cost between 90-120.
Maintenance costs for an ebike usually include the regular aspects of bike maintenance. This includes brake adjustments, replacing brake pads, replacing cables, and shift adjustments. There is generally very little maintenance required for quality electrical components.
Disc brakes need periodic adjustments for best performance.
Maintenance Costs for Electric Bikes
Like most consumer products, the low-budget options frequently end up having higher maintenance and full-life costs. Lower quality parts wear faster or require more frequent adjustments.
That said, even the best of ebikes will benefit from periodic maintenance.
Here’s a quick look at the costs to service an electric bike:
- Tune-Up: 90-120
- Fix Flat Tire: 20-30 plus parts
- Brake Adjustment: 15-20
- Replace Brake Pads: 20-30
- Shift Adjustment: 15-25
Other maintenance costs to your electric bike could include trouble-shooting electrical issues. You can avoid a lot of these by purchasing a quality ebike from a reputable manufacturer. Also look for ebikes that have key electrical components, like the controller, installed inside the frame.
You can avoid flat tire repair costs by installing tire liners, which significantly help reduce flat tires.
Cost of Electric Bike Batteries
The battery is one of the most expensive parts of your ebike. There is a balance on cost versus performance here.
Get too small a battery, and you might run low on pedal assistance when you need it. This matters if you have a long commute or like to go on long rides. That said, due to the high cost of batteries, there’s no need to buy a battery that is so large you never come close to using all the amps before recharging.
Look for a battery with at least 14 Amp Hours. Some ebike companies will also offer an option to upgrade to a larger battery, usually for 400-500 extra. This is still less than buying a spare battery in most cases.
With proper care, your electric battery should last for about 700-800 cycles. The number of charging cycles you will get varies on the riding and storage conditions you have exposed your battery to. While Rapid chargers are available, these will reduce the life of the battery.
Avoid storing your battery in extreme cold or extreme heat. Remove the battery from the ebike and store it inside a conditioned living space. This helps extend the life of the battery.
Eventually, after years of riding and 10,000s of miles, you’ll hit that time when you need to replace your battery.
At current prices, figure on spending 475-650 on a quality battery replacement.
Summary
Electric bikes are first and foremost fun. Ebikes provide a way for you to get out and ride more often. Fat tire electric bikes add a level of comfort and control not found in ‘skinny tire’ ebikes.
Considering the cost of other forms of physical activity (gyms, skiing, etc), ebikes are a cost-effective means of physical activity. Ebikes provide cost-effective, low-impact exercise.
As a means of transportation and mobility, ebikes are a great value, saving you 1000s in automobile-related expenses, even for just a short trip to the store. Recent research demonstrates that 62% of ebike trips replace a car trip, reducing automobile mileage by 20%.
As with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Buy a low-budget ebike, and you may be stuck at somepoint with a throw-away object you can’t get fixed.
Spending a little more, particularly for a Built in the USA custom ebike, helps ensure you get quality components, hand-crafted complete assembly and tuning, with less maintenance costs.
Buy something too high-priced, and you may spend more than you need for the kind of riding you want to do.
A built in the USA custom ebike is an excellent way to get the best value for your money, and to get an electric bike that best fits your needs, styling preferences, and one that you can easily get serviced.
The Hidden Cost of an Electric Bike
Electric bikes have become so good that they are effective replacements for our gas-powered vehicles. You can now use an electric bike for your daily commute, for school, and for trips to the store, but “How much does an electric bike cost?”
The vast majority (about 75%) of new ebikes sold today are between 1200 and 4000. However, ebikes can range in price from 349 to 80,000.
Quickly Ride to a Section.
Here’s one of the least expensive and one of the most expensive
Photo from Amazon – Jetson LX10 Folding Electric Bike 399
Disclosure – The link above is an Amazon affiliate link. If you click on it and choose to buy, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I have not tried this bike and can not give a recommendation for it.
Photo courtesy of engadget.com – Blacktrail Bt-01 – 80,000 (it’s got a Brooks saddle too, so cool!)
Now, you can go to the extremes, but most of us will be somewhere in the 1500 to 4000 price range. Though there are many options online, I don’t recommend buying an ebike under 1000, unless it is a good deal on a used one. Most electric bikes that you will find at an actual bike shop will start around 2500.
(I will try to write a “Best ebike under 1000” post in the future, but the mechanic in me thinks I won’t find one worth recommending)
Ebikes, like regular bicycles, have become much more affordable to get a good quality bike. However, just like regular bicycles, ebikes can be found all over the world and the price range and quality will vary considerably.
In considering the cost for an electric bike there are 4 main factors to consider
Let’s dive into each of these topics a little more
Quality
Is my ebike going to work and last?
This is the most important factor in buying just about anything, isn’t it?
This is also where you will get the most unreliable information.
The internet is a great tool for researching a product and getting as much information as you can. Just keep in mind, most reviewers online make money from you purchasing a product through their website and it can be really hard to get unbiased opinions.
Customer reviews can also be a great way of finding out if people actually liked the product after they bought it. Though many reviews are genuine, companies also pay for good reviews of their stuff all the time, so take them with a grain of salt.
Well, the best answer is to first try one out or rent an ebike at your local bike shop. Here you can get hands-on with the bike and actually try it before you buy it. Bike shops also carry accessories for the ebikes they carry and will service the products they sell.
Always support locally if you can!
Features
This category is often overlooked when it comes to picking out an ebike. At my shop, we carry ebikes that are just the bike by itself, no bells and whistles, and we also carry ebikes that come with racks, fenders, and lights built-in (for the “Show me what you got” crowd)
Keep in mind that even if the ebike you want does not come with these features, you can often add them later.
Most ebikes that come “fully loaded” will be a bit more expensive than their stripped-down counterparts, but compare prices, because sometimes it is cheaper to get a bike with all those things included than to add them later.
(Above is my own ebike – Full suspension, rear rack, fenders, lights, stem bag, leather saddle, water bottle. It did not come stock with all that stuff. Make your bike your own! It’s your bike.)
There is also the motor, battery, and display to consider.
These are the “electric” parts of an electric bike.
- Mid-drive motors offer a smoother ride and are more efficient (less wattage for the power), but are typically more expensive and most do not have throttle options.
- Hub–drive motors have a slightly jerky ride and require more wattage for similar power output, but tend to cost less and most have throttles.
Ebike batteries can vary in type and storage size.
Most batteries used in modern ebikes are lithium-ion batteries. Some cheaper ebikes may still use a sealed lead acid battery, if it does, don’t buy it, it’s junk.
Ebike batteries do vary in “size” and by this, I mean how much power they carry. This is measured in watt-hours or Wh, the higher the watt-hours, the longer the charge.
This means that on the same ebike, a battery with more watt-hours will give you more range.
(Some ebikes may come with higher Wh batteries but get less range because different ebikes run at different voltages and motors can vary in wattage output).
That last important ebike feature is the components
The components are the mechanical parts of an ebike –
Frame
Frames come in two main styles –
Fork
Steel (most common, least expensive)
Aluminum (not used much, but cheap)
(may cost an extra 100 to 1000 on an ebike, compared to a rigid fork)
Wheels
Most people will just ride with the wheels that come stock on their bike, but heavier riders may wish to upgrade their wheels. Typically, the stronger the wheels, the more they cost.
Drive Train
This includes the chain, cassette, derailleur(s), and I also include the shifter(s) here.
Most ebikes these days have just 1 gear in the front, but can have different set-ups in the rear. These can be anything from 1 speed up to 12 speeds.
Usually the more speeds, the more it costs.
Knowing how you plan to ride your ebike, and if the ebike you’re getting is capable of it, are essential.
Brand
If you are already familiar with some bicycle brands (i.e. Trek, Specialized, Giant) just know that most major bike brands have entered the ebike market and are expanding their ebike models every year.
While these top name brands do have some amazing electric bikes to offer, they will often cost a premium just because of their branding. That’s not to say they aren’t worth it, but you can find just as good of a bike for less with a slightly less recognizable brand.
Most ebikes are made in Asia, (Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Thailand) this includes most U.S. branded companies. The same manufacturers are used for brands you’re familiar with as well as brands you are not. Though there are some ebikes made in the USA.
I have an article called “Electric Bikes: Made in the USA (the true story)” you can check out here.
I recommend going to a few local bike shops (if you have a few nearby, hopefully) to see what they carry and ask a mechanic which one they would buy for themselves. Great way to start.
Upkeep
This is what I call the “4th-dimensional” category. Will your ebike last into the future?
It is easy to compare ebike and pick the one that’s in your budget at that moment, but how is your ebike going to hold up down the road? (pun intended:)
Ebikes will need maintenance.
An electric bike is a sophisticated machine with lots of moving parts and at some point, you may get a flat tire or need new brake pads. You may just need some help getting the proper fit or installing some cool new accessories. That is why I recommend starting with a local bike shop and seeing if they offer an ebike that will work for you.
If you want to buy an ebike online and don’t want to have to do all the repairs yourself, you should check with your local bike shop before buying one and see if they are willing to work on it.
Tip – Not all bike shops will work on ebikes that were bought online.
There is also the cost to charge an ebike, but you will be amazed at how cheap it is. For most people in the US, it costs about 5 cents to charge your ebike battery from empty to full.
Fun Fact –
Power in the US is charged by the kilowatt-hour (Kh), which is 1000 watt-hours so if you know the watt-hours of your ebike battery just take that number divide by 1000, and multiply by how much your state charges for kilowatt-hour using the link below.
I live in Oregon, my state charges 9.09 cents per Kh
My ebike battery is 500 Wh
Using our formula above we get –
500/10009.09= 4.55 cents per full charge of the battery. Yep, about a nickel to charge my bike up full
I get on average 30 miles per charge.
Lots of cars these days get around 30 miles per gallon.
The average price in Oregon for a gallon of gas is 3.79
- 30 miles on an ebike = about 0.05
- 30 miles in a car = about 3.80
- 500 miles on an ebike = about 0.83
- 500 miles in a car = about 63.34
We can keep going but you get the idea.
Bonus!
- With the higher price of an electric bike, many companies are offering electric bike insurance as a stand-alone policy.
- Not everybody is going to need this. If you have homeowner’s or renter’s insurance, I would check with your carrier to see what is covered. You may be surprised (in a good way or a bad way)
- With a quick search online you can find policies as low as 100 a year to start. For example – https://www.markelinsurance.com/bicycle
- If having insurance helps you ride more, then I’m all for it.
at the end of the day
As you can see, getting an ebike can be a bit of an investment, but if you learn to love riding one as I have, then eventually it can pay for itself and more.
An ebike is an investment in your personal health and the health of the planet. I now use my ebike as my primary form of transportation – commuting to work, shopping for groceries, and just going out for an amazing ride.
There are so many more hidden savings to owning and riding an electric bike than there are costs that now is just the time for you to get one yourself. Soon there could even be a 30% tax credit for buying an ebike. (READ MORE ON THE “EBIKE ACT” HERE)
Before you buy – check with your local bike shop and see what they have – talk to a salesperson and ask if they ride an ebike – If not, ask if anyone there does, and talk with them.
It’s always best to get your information from somebody with hands-on experience.