Explainer
How far can an e-bike go on one charge
Most e-bikes cover 20 to 60 miles (30 to 100 km) per charge. Learn the simple range formula, what drains your battery fastest and nine ways to ride further.
9 topics · 22 guides
Electric Bikes
Pedal-assist and throttle e-bikes, tested against the numbers that matter. An e-bike is the most efficient way to move one person across a city, and one of the most confusing things to buy. Motor types, battery sizes, legal classes and torque figures all fight for your attention, while the marketing rarely tells you what changes on the road.
Latest E-Bikes guides
Buying guide
How much do electric bikes cost? Prices from 13 makers
A new e-bike costs $800 to $8,000 in the US. We priced 13 current models per 100 Wh of battery and compared market averages in six countries.
Comparison
E-bike weight limit: 19 bikes checked for a 300 lb rider
Most e-bikes allow 275 to 450 lb, and the bike itself counts against that. We checked 19 limits against a 300 lb rider and found 7 that pass with gear.
Comparison
Electric bike for a 10 year old: 6 models checked for fit
The best electric bike for a 10 year old weighs under 13 kg (29 lb). Of 6 kids' e-bikes, only the woom EXPLORE e 5 stays under 40% of a typical 10 year old.
Buying guide
Electric bikes for kids: the right type, weight and age
Electric bikes for kids start at age 3 with balance bikes and age 7 with pedal assist. We set 8 kids' e-bikes against CDC child weights and the age laws.
Buying guide
Electric bikes for teens: what the law and makers allow
Electric bikes for teens: most adult e-bike makers say 16 or 18 and up, and New York says 16. We checked 10 maker age limits against US and UK teen laws.
Comparison
Lightweight electric bikes: 17 of the lightest compared
The lightest e-bikes weigh 11.5 to 23.4 kg (25 to 52 lb). We normalized 17 models from maker pages and scored each against a trunk rack and a roof rack.
Comparison
How much do electric bikes weigh? 15 models compared
Most e-bikes weigh 17 to 39 kg (37 to 86 lb). We normalized 15 current models and scored each against six bike racks and three lifting limits.
Comparison
Electric bike vs regular bike: which should you buy?
Compare an electric bike vs regular bike for commuting, exercise, cost and hills, with a transparent three-year budget and buying checklist.
How-to
Folding e-bike hinge check: what to inspect
Check a folding e-bike's frame and handlebar joints for secure closure, play and damage before riding. Know when to stop and ask a dealer.
Guide
Folding e-bike size and weight: measure before buying
Folded size decides whether it fits. The load limit decides whether it carries you. We normalized both for four folding e-bikes, and found makers contradicting themselves.
Guide
Folding e-bikes on trains: the folded size that fits
Six rail operators, six different folded-bike limits. We scored four real folding e-bikes against all of them, from Amtrak's 15 in axis to the Shinkansen's 160 cm.
Buying guide
Folding electric bikes: choose one that fits your trip
Choose a folding electric bike by its folded size, lifting weight, ride fit and battery support. Use our measurement checklist before you buy.
Explore by topic
Everything in Electric Bikes
Commuter E-Bikes
Upright, practical e-bikes built for daily trips to work, school and the shops, with fenders, lights and racks as standard.
Electric Mountain Bikes (E-MTB)
Full-suspension and hardtail e-MTBs with mid-drive motors for climbing further and riding more trail in less time.
Folding E-Bikes
Compact e-bikes that fold for trains, apartments and car boots, and what you trade in ride quality for that convenience.
Fat-Tire E-Bikes
Four-inch tires for sand, snow and soft ground, plus the extra weight and range trade-offs that come with them.
Electric Road & Gravel Bikes
Lightweight, drop-bar e-bikes with subtle assist for fast group rides, long climbs and mixed-surface adventures.
Cargo & Utility E-Bikes
Longtails, front-loaders and utility e-bikes that carry kids, groceries and work gear in place of a second car.
E-Bike Batteries & Motors
Hub versus mid-drive, watt-hours, torque, cells and controllers explained in plain language, so spec sheets finally make sense.
E-Bike Troubleshooting
Step-by-step fixes for e-bikes that will not power on, cut out, lose range, throw error codes or make strange noises.
E-Bike Brands & Models
Brand profiles and model deep-dives, from direct-to-consumer favorites to premium dealer brands.
Do the math
Free e-bikes calculators
E-Bike Range Calculator
How far will my e-bike go on one charge?
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Open the toolAbout our electric bikes coverage
An e-bike is the most efficient way to move one person across a city, and one of the most confusing things to buy. Motor types, battery sizes, legal classes and torque figures all fight for your attention, while the marketing rarely tells you what changes on the road.
This hub cuts through it. Start with the riding style that matches your life, check our Nexus Score ratings before you buy, and use the range and cost calculators to see what a bike will do for you before you spend anything.
Every guide follows our editorial policy, and every product rating uses the published Nexus Score methodology.
E-Bikes FAQ
How far can an electric bike go on one charge?
Most e-bikes cover 25 to 60 miles (40 to 100 km) per charge. Real range depends mainly on battery capacity in watt-hours, assist level, rider weight, terrain and temperature. A useful rule of thumb is 10 to 25 Wh per mile, so a 500 Wh battery typically gives 20 to 50 miles.
Do you need a license to ride an e-bike?
In the US, Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes generally do not need a license or registration, though some states set age or helmet rules. In the UK and EU, a pedelec limited to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) with a motor of up to 250 W is treated like a bicycle. Faster bikes, such as EU speed pedelecs (S-pedelecs), are classed as mopeds.
Is a mid-drive or hub motor better?
Mid-drive motors use the bike’s gears, so they climb better and feel more natural, and they suit hilly or off-road riding. Hub motors are cheaper, quieter and need less drivetrain maintenance, which makes them good for flat commutes.