How Much Does an Electric Bike Cost?

Electric bikes are great options for those who want to stay active while reducing their dependence on cars. All without becoming workout warriors. While biking is a great form of exercise, most people are not physically ready to trade their vehicles in for bikes right away. Bicycling has many known benefits, including improved health, cost savings and a deeper connection with the community. The one thing that often stops potential bikers is the anticipated cost of an electric bike.

The good news is that an electric bike doesn’t have to be an expensive purchase. There are many affordable models available for those who are introducing themselves to the world of eBiking. With a little preliminary research, you can find the eBike that best suits your needs without emptying your wallet.

Design Features Influence Electric Bike Prices

There is a huge range of pricing in the electric bike market. Well-known eBike manufacturers such as SWAGTRON®, Ecotric, NAKTO and Wallke have models ranging from around $299 to well over $1,500. Why such a wide range of pricing? There are a handful of variables that dictate pricing. From the components used to the included extra features – even weight and size. In fact, the overall purpose of the electric bike is a good indicator of its price range.   

For example, a bike designed for quick rides around your community will cost you less on average than a more durable model made for long-distance riding. Trail riders will need an electric bicycle that use premium, ultra-durable materials to withstand the harsher conditions of the trail. Fatter tires. Stronger frame. More responsive brakes. Optimized motor. These are just some of the advancements a solid mountain eBike should have over a short-distance electric bike. And they’ll all factor in to the cost of your bike.

Type of Bike	Features	Price Range
Pedal-less	Pedal-free powerFoldable models available	$299 to $399
Commuter/City Bike	Foldable16-20-inch tiresShimano speed transmission availableDetachable battery available	$350 to $699
Commuter/City Bike  (Classic Bike Size)	24- to 26-inch wheelsShimano speed transmissionDetachable battery	$650 to $999
Mountain Bike	26-inch wheelsShimano speed transmissionHydraulic disc brakesSuspension system	$1,300 to $2,000
Fat Tire Bikes	Good for beach and snow and tough trail conditions20- to 26-inch wheelsFoldable models available	$799 to $1,200

There are additional costs associated with owning an electric bicycle that you should look into before making your final purchase. As always, electric bike reviews online are a great starting point to use to jump into the market.

What Are the Maintenance Costs of an Electric Bike?

Traditional bikes wear out over time and require certain parts to be changed and maintained. Electric bikes are no different. In fact, due to the nature of an eBike, there are more sophisticated components that wear out and require replacement or maintenance. Some of the most likely offenders are the motor, battery and motherboard. Planning on daily use to and from work or school?? You’ll need to factor in the costs of maintenance. And like most things, proactive maintenance (instead of reactive maintenance) will help lengthen the lifespan of your electric bike.

Most bike manufacturers recommend a tune-up of your electric bike every six months or every 500 miles, whichever comes first. Much like an oil change for a car, a tune-up is the best way to extend the life of your bike and can catch potential issues before they become even more costly to repair. In general, electric bicycle tune-ups cost between $75 and $100. If you have an eBicycle with specialized gear system, that might cost even more. If it’s something more common, like a Shimano® gear speed system, that might lower the cost a bit. This price will vary based on what is included in the tune-up and which bike shop you plan to use. 

Even with proper tune-ups and maintenance, there are always unknown variables that may result in expenses. For example, electric bikes can get flat tires. The average flat tire repair runs between $10 to $20, depending on how severe the puncture is. In rare cases, the tire may need to be completely replaced, which will cost you more.

Tip: Look for eBikes that are marked as “maintenance-friendly.” These eBikes have quick-release power cables that make tire maintenance easier.

Finally, sometimes your brakes will need adjustments or possibly new pads. Most bike shops charge around $20-$35 for bike adjustments. If you choose a bike that is designed to be maintenance-friendly, the charges may be less since the task is not as labor-intensive. The cost of replacement pads will also play a role in your total expenditure and is usually dictated by the manufacturer of your bike.

How Much Are Electric Bike Batteries?

Batteries are designed to have a lengthy lifespan, but eventually, they can wear out. A quick look at the competition shows replacement batteries between $250 and $400. Our own replacement battery pack for the SWAGTRON EB7 PLUS is only $99.

Unless you’re a certified electrician (and maybe even then!), an eBike with an integrated battery (i.e., non-replaceable) might be difficult for you to do on your own. If you can find an eBike with replacement batteries, like our EB9, EB11 and EB12 models, then you’ll save yourself a lot of time, effort and headache. Not only are they good for doubling your e-powered adventure (you can buy an extra one and keep it on standby), but replacing a dead battery is just a matter of popping out the old one and sliding in the new. No mess, no stress.

Tip: An eBike with removable battery will have some means to lock the battery compartment – usually a physical key. Check with the manufacturer on what happens if you lose your battery key. Can they replace it or re-key it? Or will they need to replace the entire compartment?

How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EBike?

Charging an eBike is considerably less expensive than paying for gas, which is one reason why the overall costs of an electric bike are so much more appealing to most people. (Even better, they also leave a much lower carbon footprint as well.)

The math is going to vary by the battery voltage and amp-hour of each individual eBike. But the the basic math for a standard bike with a 36V 10Ah battery comes out to be about $.05 to charge the battery. Most bike batteries last for about 15 to 20 miles per charge. This means that you only pay $1 to power your bike for 300-400 miles.

It turns out a dollar can still buy you something these days! Who knew?!

Protective Gear and Other eBike Accessories

As with any recreational activity, you’ll want to deck yourself up with the latest, greatest safety gear – especially an ATSM-approved helmet to protect the ol’ noggin. You’ll also want to purchase elbow pads, knee pads and perhaps even shin guards. In some cities, cyclists riding are required to wear at the very lease a helmet. But really, you’ll want to stay as protected as possible, and minimize any risk of injury.

Beyond safety gear, you might also want to trick out your eBike with some cool accessories. They could range from functional and helpful (e.g, a rear bike rack) to necessary (Bluetooth®-powered smart lock) to just plain fun (tire lights).

Other accessories that might seem optional would be something like turn signals or headlights. If your eBike doesn’t come with its own set of navigation lights, brake lights and an LED headlight, then you will need to grab one separately. And always check with your local and state laws regarding bicycling and electric bicycling. You may be required to have at minimum a headlight and rear brake lights. But turn signals do wonders for safe riding. If you find an eBike that you love that doesn’t have integrated turn signals, don’t worry! You can find affordable “after-market” battery-powered turn signals practically anywhere, including your local bike shop.

Tip: Does your eBike have Bluetooth® connectivity? Don’t forget to grab a phone holder! You’ll likely want to pair your smartphone with your bike for navigation purposes or music control. And a well-placed phone holder can help you keep your eyes on the road!

Cost vs Value

As we mentioned before:

The most common electric bikes in the market today range from $400 to $2000. At SWAGTRON®, we leverage years of manufacturing experience to keep costs low while still using premium components and offering a plenty added value.

The cost of anything can be a hard thing to asses. It’s not always just about the sticker price. That’s because the cost of something is tied directly to its value. Does a thing provide value? Does it enhance our lives in a way that is meaningful or memorable? The cost of an eBike is no different.

And look at a manufacturer’s history and reputation. Have they been in business for a long time? Have they learned how to leverage efficient manufacturing techniques and processes that let them pack a ton of features into their eBikes without cranking up cost? A higher price doens’t necessarily mean a higher quality. Check bike blogs and tech reviews. Make sure they have warranty longer than three months. Make sure a company has a return policy that you can work with. If you’re likely to purchase from an online vendor, you won’t get a chance to ride it until you get it delivered and set up. A one-week trial-run isn’t long enough to determine if the eBike you got was right for you.