What e-bikes cost
An e-bike costs more than the equivalent pedal bike because of the motor, battery and electronics. New prices start around the price of a decent mid-range road bike and climb steeply from there. The used market is where most of the value is: a well-kept e-bike from a mainstream brand, with a healthy battery and a well-supported motor, is often the smartest way to buy in.
The one number that drives a used e-bike's price more than any other is battery health, so a lower price on an older bike is not always the bargain it looks. Check the battery before you judge the value.
Running costs
The day-to-day running cost of an e-bike is low. Charging the battery uses a small amount of electricity, a few pence a charge, so the fuel cost is tiny next to a car or public transport. The real costs to plan for are servicing, the odd set of brake pads and tyres, and, further down the line, a replacement battery, which is the big one at several hundred pounds.
Set against a car, the maths is usually kind. There is no fuel to speak of, no parking, no congestion or clean-air charges, and far less to go wrong.
Where e-bikes save you money
The clearest savings come from replacing car or public-transport journeys. If an e-bike takes over even part of a regular commute, the fuel, parking and fare savings add up quickly, and many riders find the motor makes them willing to ride when they otherwise would not. A bike that gets ridden is worth far more than a cheaper one that sits in the shed.
There is a health return too. The assistance flattens hills and headwinds, so an e-bike often means longer, more frequent rides, without the sweat that puts people off commuting by bike.
When an e-bike is worth it
An e-bike is usually worth it if you face hills, distance or a headwind on your regular routes, if you want to replace car trips, if you are returning to cycling or want to keep riding as you get older, or if you need to carry a child or a load and want the extra push. In all of these, the motor is the difference between riding and not riding.
When it might not be
An e-bike is a weaker case if your rides are short and flat, if budget is tight and a good pedal bike would do the same job, or if you cannot store and charge it securely. E-bikes are also a bigger theft target, so factor in a good lock and where the bike will live. If you mostly ride for fitness on easy terrain, a regular bike may serve you better for less.
Whatever you decide, check what a used e-bike is really worth before you buy or sell with the free Cyclesite valuation, and see how much e-bikes depreciate in our bike depreciation report. When you are ready, browse used electric bikes.
Common questions
Are e-bikes worth the money?
For most people who face hills, distance or a commute they would otherwise drive, yes. The running costs are low, the assistance means the bike actually gets ridden, and buying a well-kept used e-bike with a healthy battery keeps the upfront cost down. They are a weaker case for short, flat rides on a tight budget.
How much does it cost to charge an e-bike?
Only a few pence per charge. An e-bike battery holds a small amount of energy compared with anything with an engine, so the electricity cost is tiny next to car fuel or public-transport fares. Servicing and an eventual replacement battery are the costs worth planning for.
Do e-bikes hold their value?
A decent-brand e-bike with a well-supported motor holds its value reasonably well, but battery health drives the resale price. A tired battery pulls the value down sharply, so a newer, low-cycle battery is worth paying more for.
Was this article helpful?
Related guides
Last updated · Editorial standards · Corrections