A manual bike can take you as far as your legs are willing to go. A car can take you as far as its gas tank allows, or as far as there’s space for it. Maybe, you don’t have the energy for miles worth of travel. Perhaps you want to squeeze past traffic and laugh at the poor guy stuck in the same spot for the last thirty minutes. Luckily, there’s an option for you – and that’s the Ebike. It sounds cool, doesn’t it? I’m sure you have a whole bunch of questions, though. One of the first is probably this: How far can you go on an Ebike?
Usual ebikes range and average commuting distance
Honestly, a lot further than most people probably expect – depending on a few things, of course. Most of the time, you’ll see an Ebike range from around 25 to 50 miles. That’s quite a difference. However, it is also important to know that a daily round trip of Ebike commuting is probably not anywhere near to 50 miles. Many people commute to work or education places which are hardly 8-12 miles within the city.
The first thing you should know is that there is a range of electric bikes, with different kinds of speeds, equipment, accessories and requirements. The table below explains all this briefly.
| Class | How it Works | Max Speed | Throttle | Age Limit (Minimum) | Equipment Requirements |
| Pedal Assist (Class 1) | Pedal to use the motor | 20 mph | Sometimes | None | None |
| Throttle Only (Class 2) | Don’t have to pedal to use the motor | 20 mph | Yes | None | None |
| Pedal Assist 28mph (Class 3) | Can pedal or use throttle | 28 mph | Sometimes | 17 | Helmet |
In other words, the power system of an Ebike, whether it has a throttle or not, will impact how quickly the battery drains. A general rule of thumb is that the more you pedal, the slower the battery will run out and the farther you can ride it. Hence the more a rider pedals, the more it can increase an Ebike range. On the other side, the faster models of pedal assist Ebike will also be speeder, using their optional throttles (common in American Ebikes) to push them further will take a toll on the battery. That’s why Ebikes that have a throttle-only powering system might look easy and tempting, they’re probably going to be the ones that run out of battery the fastest. The usual pedal assist class is usually the longest distance electric bike.
Other factors affecting ebike range
Apart from the above stated, a number of other factors also affect the range of an Ebike. If the Ebike is taken to inclines, mountains, and uneven pavements with heavy weight on it, the battery will drain real quick. Particularly, the weight of Ebikes directly relates to its range. To read more and compare various Ebikes weight, click here.
On the other hand, the direction of the wind also increases the efforts of the Ebike motor and the rider. Remember that your Ebike does not have aerodynamics like cars or fuel-operated motorcycles. Therefore, the wind can help in pushing the bike and can also become a real resistance on your way. If the winds are in the opposite direction of the ride, the battery will die soon and ultimately result in a lower range.
Throttling your ebike
It is seen that Ebikes with throttle assist have a lower range. This happens because sometimes the rider excessively uses throttle, which consumes more motor energy, and the battery drains soon. Though it gives a faster riding experience, the range is compromised. Even if you are riding the longest distance Ebike, throttling more will decrease the distance you could travel. It is seen that the Ebikers who commute to far away destinations often prefer Class 1 or Class 3 Ebikes and pedal as much as they can.
This shows that using your Ebike smartly can significantly increase its range as the motor will consume less power, and the battery will not die any time soon. One more thing that adds to the load of your Ebike is the type of its tires. The shape, weight, diameter, and thickness of the tires add to an Ebike’s rolling resistance which is directly related to the load on its motor.
Another thing you should be taking into consideration is the power that your Ebike has, which will be between 250 to 1000 Watts. The more power, the farther you’ll be able to travel. It might seem weird, but because most Ebikes travel at the same speed, you’re not using more of the battery with the higher power.
Don’t make the mistake of only looking at the Ebike itself, though! The types of tires that you have, the weather conditions you’re riding in, the weight on it, and the terrain all make a big difference in whether you end up with a short or long range electric bike. If you’re planning on taking it to the mountains, you might want to consider tougher tires and an extra battery. Rough terrain and wet conditions are more effort for an Ebike to work through, and that means more battery use.
A pro tip
There is a tip that can work in all sorts of weather and road conditions, and will assist in extending the range of your Ebike. It is about efficient gear shifting. Changing gears at the right time and more frequently will give breath to the motor, and the battery will last long. It will not be wrong to say that the range of an Ebike, besides road and weather conditions, directly relates to the expertise of the rider.
Essentially, the answer to how far you can go on your Ebike really depends on what you’re using it for and how you’re using it. Being responsible, smart, and creative can really go a long way.
