Electric bike Cost

I893469365902345609348566

Esteemed Pedelecer
Oct 20, 2021
543
132
What's your likely 5 year mileage?
Like when they fall apart at the accounting on Dragon's Den? I only did a quick calc = 9,000 miles. Less, if there are are more badgers... (I'll be lucky if my battery lasts that long)
 

matthewslack

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 26, 2021
1,855
1,343
Like when they fall apart at the accounting on Dragon's Den? I only did a quick calc = 9,000 miles. Less, if there are are more badgers... (I'll be lucky if my battery lasts that long)
That's a good chunk of distance. I offset the saved diesel against the bike costs which makes a fair difference. Shame the other fixed costs like insurance and road tax don't reduce as my van mileage reduces!
 
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Benjahmin

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 10, 2014
2,590
1,747
70
West Wales
I'm not sure there can be a direct comparison. However, we run a Vivaro and a Boxer (for work). For both vehicles we annually have Tax, Insurance, Breakdown cover, Mot and servicing to pay. Then there are incidentals, this year we had to replace the front strut upper mounts on the vivaro - at 35,000 miles! Tyres, brakes etc etc.
We have two bikes. Both front hubs, one a self conversion. Simple sytems, battery, contrller, display, motor, pas. No fancy algorythems or blue tooth connectivity (?) or built in battery, just a bike with a motor on it. This year I've replaced the rear brake pads on mine. No excess drive train wear. Tyres last well (Marathons). No servicing bills or tax etc.
However the bikes can't do the jobs the vans do, the vans can and do transport the bikes when wanted. Apart from a bright yellow jacket, I cycle in 'normal' clothes, mostly for pleasure and some shopping. All bike related servicing etc I can do so costs me just time.
Obviously more expensive bikes with tied in systems will be more expensive to run and the more complex the system the greater the fault liability. Keep it simple - keep it to garden shed engineering and it'll be cheaper.
 
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egroover

Esteemed Pedelecer
Aug 12, 2016
1,038
622
57
UK
My current 4 year old Carrera Crossfire-e has done 4.8k miles in 4 years, bike purchased new in 2017 at £680 (after various discounts)...Going on sold bikes on ebay I reckon it's still worth about at least £400-£450 2nd hand if I was to sell on (it's in great condition), so it's cost me based on that about £280 over 4800 miles which works out is less than 6p per mile plus electric (0.5p per mile) and 2 new tyres and a chain (£40)...For me it's the perfect commuter and has saved me £1000's in fuel and parking over the years
 

jimriley

Esteemed Pedelecer
Jun 17, 2020
595
398
Would cost per hour travelling give a better comparable view ? I've thought about this with my outboard powered narrowboat - a honda 20hp burning circa 1 ltr an hour at 3mph. My 15ltr tank lasts 3 days cruising. Easily burnt up in a day with the car, while travelling further.
 

AndyBike

Esteemed Pedelecer
Nov 8, 2020
1,393
596
More expensive than a regular bicycle.
More fun than a regular bicycle.