How fast do ebikes go?

Electric bike top speed

Modern day Ebikes solve commuting issues but an important question, often asked, is that how fast do Ebikes go? Here, we have provided the facts which determine an Ebike top speed. For speed determination, the most important factor is the power that a rider exerts on its pedal. Yet, it cannot go beyond the maximum speed limit as specified in Table 1. With more power on the pedals, good riding conditions and slope working in the favor, a rider can achieve the maximum speed limit. At the same time, it is important to keep your control on the electric bike while riding at maximum speed to have a swift yet safe ride.

Wattage is a determinant of how fast can Ebikes go. Ebikes are equipped with a motor producing a maximum of 250 watts which supports speed up to 15 mph whereas in the U.S., the top speed could go up to 20 mph as the motors possess a tendency to produce power up to 500 watts.

Ebikes having a tendency to reach the speed limit of 28 mph are known as Pedelecs. They may seem like a regular MTB or road bike but Electric Bikes are different since they are equipped with a motor which has the ability to optimize the speed when you are riding. Whereas, the Ebike speed limiter cuts off the power when the speed goes to the max. You are not required to put extra pedaling effort like you do in MTBs or other traditional bikes. In any case, the top speed of an Ebike will not exceed the 28 miles per hour mark.

Fastest electric bike

Several factors like throttle, drive system and pedal-assist feature determine the top speed. The build formation is also a key determinant since lightweight aluminum structure naturally supports high speed. The maximum speed achievable through the most powerful Ebike is 50mph by Delfast 3.0 which is also regarded as the fastest electric bike in the world. Delfast 3.0 can go at this speed powered by a 3000-watt electric motor and a high-capacity battery.

Speed limit

Since the working modality of Ebikes rely on pedaling, therefore, they have the tendency to surpass the speed limit of its support level. Support level or Ebike speed limiter can be defined as the capacity of the motor to generate watts to assist speed generation. Through faster pedaling or going down the slope, a rider may exceed the speed limit which is supported by the wattage.

Tuning to go faster

Usually, all Ebikes are sold in compliance with the speed limit prescribed under local speed laws of the state. However, during the tuning process, bypassing the limiter allows the motor to reach its full potential. In this manner, an Ebike can be tuned to go faster than the installed motor’s limit. However, speed limits observance is necessary in any case. It is also worth mentioning that the faster you go on your Ebike, the sooner its battery will drain out and you will get a lower range. To read more about Ebikes ranges, click here.

Classification on the basis of top speed

Ebikes are categorized into three Classes on the basis of permissibility of top speed and their mechanism. Below pasted table briefly shows the maximum speed of each class.

Ebikes class 1

These Ebikes are known as “Pedal-assist” as they come with an electric motor that is pedal assistive. Class 1 Ebikes can go up to a maximum speed of 20mph and their electric motors are not supported by throttle. Riding system in these, activates with pedaling only. However, some of the Class 1 Ebikes like VanMoof S3/X3 do come with a throttle to provide additional power boost but that throttle also works when the rider is pedaling unlike Class 2 Ebikes.

Class 1 Ebikes with throttle on their handlebars are quite effective as a rider does not require hard pedaling to avail the extra power boost of throttle as only a gear shift to low with free-spin may activate the throttle. Tern GSD S10, Propella and Cannondale Quick Neo SL are the examples of Class 1 Ebikes. This category Ebikes riders enjoy the advantage to ride their bike at any place, let it be bike paths, bike lanes or roads owing to their limited speed and operation.

Ebikes class 2

The basic difference between Class 1 and Class 2 is the presence of throttle. Class 2 Ebikes also come with a limitation of top speed as the Ebike speed limiter limits their speed to a maximum of 20 mph despite the throttle that works even when a rider is not pedaling. The motor will keep on assisting even if the rider decides to pedal. The presence of throttle provides that extra power boost which if coupled with pedaling at low gear would provide an acceleration which is usually missing in Class 1 Ebikes. Class 2 electric bikes also offer “Electric Assisted Pedaling” alongside the throttle which enhances their riding experience. Just like Class 1 category, riders can ride these bikes to almost all places since their speed and operations are also limited. Aventon Pace 350 and Super73 S1 are examples of Class 2 Ebikes.

Ebikes class 3

Class 3 Ebikes come with and without throttle depending upon the State rules and can reach maximum speed up to 28 mph. Some states, for example California, do not allow them to have throttles. However, the other states give this permission and they have a maximum speed of 28 miles per hour. Class 3 Ebikes must have a speedometer and they are allowed into bike-only lanes. However, if you limit the speed up to 20 mph through the Ebike speed limiter, you can take your bike to parks and pedestrian specified areas like Class 1 & Class 2 Ebikes. Aventon Pace 500 & Trek Domane+ HP are the examples of Class 3 Ebikes. 

Rectrix has done a survey of above seven hundred electric bikes and compared their speed. This survey includes all types of electric bikes such as MTB, folding, compact, road, hybrid and cruiser Ebikes. Survey results are tabled below:

Laws governing ebike speed

The rules and regulations regarding the Ebike speed limit vary from state to state. Maximum speed limit allowed ranges from 20 mph to 30 mph. For example, the top speed limit in Missouri is 30 mph whereas, if the rider moves to South Carolina, they would be limited to 20 mph speed.

In conclusion, most electric bikes have a maximum speed of 20 miles per hour that can exceed to 28mph in for the Class 3 category. Favorable riding conditions and tuning can help go beyond this limit. However, state laws controlling how fast can electric bikes go, must be followed.