In today’s increasingly diversified modern transport modes, vélos électriques are gradually becoming one of the popular choices for people to travel. So, is it worth buying an e-bike? Let’s delve into it from a number of aspects.
First, the comparison of e-bikes and cars
Commuting Cost Comparison
Car commuting costs: Take an ordinary family car as an example, assuming that the fuel consumption per 100 kilometres is 8 litres, the price of petrol is €7 per litre, the daily commuting distance is 50 kilometres round trip, then the daily expenditure on fuel is 50 ÷ 100 × 8 × 7 = €28. Together with the annual insurance premium (about € 4,000 on average), maintenance fee (about € 2,000 on average), car parking fee (€ 300 on average per month) and other fixed expenses, the daily cost is quite considerable. If we calculate on the basis of 20,000 kilometres travelled per year, the fuel cost alone will be as high as €11,200, and together with other expenses, the total annual commuting cost will be more than €17,000.
E-bike commuting costs: E-bikes have very low energy consumption, generally only 0.5 – 1 kWh for a full charge, and with electricity costs calculated at 0.5 RMB per kWh, even if the commute is 50 kilometres round trip per day, the cost of electricity is almost negligible. E-bikes have almost no insurance (some areas may have a small amount of accident insurance), maintenance costs only a few tens to hundreds of dollars per year (mainly to replace wearing parts), parking is also extremely convenient and mostly free. The cost of an e-bike commute can be as little as a few hundred dollars per year, a far cry from a car.
Space and Flexibility
Cars are large and finding a parking space in the city can be a headache, especially in densely populated areas such as business and office districts, where you sometimes need to spend a lot of time looking for a parking space. E-bikes, on the other hand, are compact and can be parked in almost any corner, and can even be pushed indoors for storage, which greatly improves the flexibility of travelling.
Although cars have more space inside and can carry more items, for most daily commuters, they often travel empty, resulting in a waste of space. E-bikes have a limited loading capacity, but are adequate for carrying simple commuting items such as backpacks and handbags.
Acquisition cost
The purchase cost of an ordinary family car usually ranges from a few tens of thousands of euros to hundreds of thousands of euros, and even the more affordable models, together with the purchase tax, licensing fees and other miscellaneous costs, will require tens of thousands of dollars of initial investment. The price of e-bikes is relatively affordable, generally between 2000 – 5000 euros, even some high-end e-bikes. The price is rarely more than 10,000 euros, the acquisition cost is much lower than the car.
Analysis of the health benefits of e-bike commuting
Planning for charging: If the e-bike range is not long enough to meet the needs of a commute, it can be charged at the workplace or at a suitable location in the middle of the journey (e.g. a friend’s house, a shop with charging facilities, etc.). Many office premises are now starting to be equipped with e-bike charging facilities for the convenience of their employees.
Choose a long range model: When buying an e-bike, you can give preference to a model with a longer range. The range of some high-end e-bikes on the market now can reach 100 kilometres or even higher, and by choosing the right model, you can reduce range anxiety.
Analysis of the health benefits of e-bike commuting
Physical exercise: E-bikes are not entirely powered by electricity, and riders still need to pedal during the ride, which provides the body with certain exercise opportunities. Compared to simply riding in a car, riding an e-bike can exercise the leg muscles and enhance cardiorespiratory fitness. Even with electrical assistance, the body needs to maintain balance, which helps to exercise the core muscles and improve balance and coordination.
Mental Health: Commuting by e-bike allows people to have more contact with the outdoor environment, breathe fresh air and relieve work pressure. During riding, the body secretes neurotransmitters such as endorphins, which give a sense of pleasure and relaxation and helps improve mental health.
IV. Summary
So, are e-bikes worth it? As you can see, e-bikes offer many advantages in terms of commuting costs, flexibility, and health. Their low commuting costs, easy parking and positive health impacts compared to cars make them one of the ideal choices for urban commuting.
After a few days of riding an e-bike, you’ll start to feel better. The journey to and from work will become more enjoyable and have a positive impact on your life. So, from the point of view of happiness, longevity and saving money, an e-bike is definitely worth it. Not only does it meet your personal travelling needs, but it also makes a contribution to the environment by reducing carbon emissions and making our cities greener and more liveable.
If you prefer to commute to work on an e-bike, consider e-bike manufacturer Bodywel. Their best e-bikes are stylish, practical and affordable.
