How Much Does It Cost To Charge An E-bike?

E-bikes are rapidly gaining popularity in Canada as a new mode of transportation. With rising fuel costs, limited availability and high costs of motor vehicles, and more people working and performing activities closer to home, E-bikes have emerged as a greener and more affordable transportation alternative. However, it's important to factor in the cost of charging an E-bike when budgeting for daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly expenses.

So, how much does it really cost to charge an E-bike?

The cost to charge an E-bike in Canada can vary depending on several factors, including the battery capacity, the cost of electricity in your province, and the charging method used.

The great news is that charging an E-bike is inexpensive!

The cost of electricity in Canada varies by province and time of day, but on average, the cost of electricity is around CAD0.14 per kWh.

As an example, Biciel Fraser is equipped with 48V/14Ah Li-ion battery that has a capacity of 672 watt-hours (Wh).

Watt-hours (Wh) = Volts (V) x Amp-hours (Ah) = 48V x 14Ah = 672Wh

A full charge would require around 0.672 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity.

So, charging an E-bike with a 672Wh battery would cost around CAD0.094 per charge, assuming an average cost of electricity of CAD0.14 per kWh. However, it's important to note that this is just an estimate, and the actual cost may be higher or lower depending on your specific circumstances.

Additionally, if you use a faster charging method such as a quick charger or a fast charger, the charging cost may be slightly higher. It's also worth noting that the cost of charging an E-bike may be offset by the cost savings from not having to purchase gas for a car or pay for public transportation fares.

It may surprise you to learn that, on a cost-per-mile basis, operating an E-bike is remarkably affordable, even when energy costs are high.

Keep in mind that E-bike batteries have a limited lifespan, but even with the cost of replacing batteries, the overall cost remains significantly lower than that of replacing a conventional passenger vehicle.

At Biciel, we estimate that our batteries will last for approximately 800 charge cycles, meaning that they will likely need to be replaced every 4 to 6 years. With replacement costs ranging from CAD600 to CAD800 per battery, this expense is still substantially less than the cost of buying a new car. This frees up money that can be used for other expenses in your life.