Source: Electrek

As energy prices remain volatile, habitual car users are beginning to consider whether an e-bike could save them money, according to e-mobility media Electrek. The positive answer goes beyond mere savings at the pumps.

Following reports earlier this year that more Americans are starting to use shared mobility as fuel costs rise, a fresh look at the question of how an e-bike can save families and individuals money has been made, with insights that are relevant in Europe as well as North America.

Running a car

Of course, a direct comparison of an e-bike’s use of energy compared to a car’s shows it as being significantly lower. The Electrek report states that the average American drives around 21,700 km per year, and makes an assumption that 6,400 of those kilometres could be replaced with an e-bike on trips such as commuting, grocery and school runs and other shorter-distance examples. Based on calculations that a car’s fuel consumption for that distance would be approximately €450 annually, and the cost of charging a bike would be around €14.50 annually, there is a clear saving on fuel alone of well over €400.

Reliable figures for average distances driven in Europe are not available, however the contrast in fuel and electricity costs would remain.

The wear-and-tear of driving a car also generates associated maintenance costs; the avoidance of driving those 6,400 km is calculated at €344 in maintenance-related savings. E-bikes also require maintenance due to wear-and-tear naturally, but the costs are generally lower – though not calculated in the Electrek report.

Parking

Urban car users who need to pay for parking at home, work or on other general out-and-about trips can easily accumulate several hundred euros over the course of a year. On the whole, parking for an e-bike is free, or very minimal.

Second vehicles

Households with second vehicles represent a significant opportunity for saving with the use of e-bikes. Most of these households have two (or more) cars because there are adults needing separate transportation. However as e-bike range and cargo-carrying capabilities increase, many families are turning to an option such as a cargo bike instead of a second household car, as we recently reported.

A second household car can incur significant costs including finance repayments, insurance and tax, as well as the fuel and maintenance detailed earlier. Electrek calculates that a modest second car can cost between €7,000-€10,000 per year to own and operate. In contrast, a good e-bike would involve up-front costs, but from then minimal costs in charging and upkeep.

Replacing trips, rather than cars

It is not always feasible for an individual or family to go car-free and completely replace a car with an e-bike. But even the replacement of smaller, shorter trips that are inefficient in cars can accumulate significant savings. Trips to the shops, a commute a few times a week, and other short errands are easily achievable by e-bike, and are the type of trip that cars are not best suited to. ICE engines burn proportionally more fuel during short trips and with cold starts, meaning that such errands are more expensive than drivers might realise.

The feel-good benefits of replacing car trips with e-bikes are harder to quantify, but include factors such as not being sedentary in traffic, less stress finding parking, easier and more enjoyable commutes, and regular fresh air and exercise.