Are you thinking about investing in an electric bike but aren’t sure if it is a financially viable option for you? If yes, then you have come to the right place.
From the cost of charging an electric bike, to the average servicing and maintenance prices, to how much is electric bike insurance, keep reading to find out how much it costs to run an electric bike in 2021.
Charging an electric bike
The cost of charging your electric bike will be dependent on the type of battery it has and the type of charger that your electric bike comes with. Smaller amp chargers typically take longer to charge, and a large battery will obviously take longer to charge than a smaller one.
On average, it takes between 4-6 hours to charge an electric bike which uses roughly 5-10p worth of electricity. To put this into perspective, it costs about 2.5p to boil a kettle. If you are looking for an electric bike with power and energy efficiency, then look no further than a Sunra electric bike which can be charged in as little as 4 hours and boasts a 300W motor.
Servicing & Maintenance
How often you need to service your electric bike will depend on how often you use and what you use it for. For example, if you use it to commute to work every day, you should aim to have it serviced once every three months. However, if you only use it every now and then, a bi-yearly service should be more than adequate.
In terms of cost, the average price of having an electric bike serviced is between £30-£50, although this can vary from one garage to another. Of course, if there are any issues or replacement parts are needed, you will also have to pay these additional costs.
You can reduce the number of service checks your electric bike needs and reduce your risk of needing replacement parts by carrying out regular visual checks on your bike and by cleaning your bike often.
Safety Equipment
If you have just bought your first electric bike, you will also need to factor in the cost of safety equipment such as a helmet and lights. This can cost you anywhere between £30-£70 depending on whether you want a premium helmet or are happy with a more budget-friendly one.
A bike lock is also a good idea as this can help to prevent theft, with a high-quality lock costing around £25.
Replacement Tyres
As electric bikes are heavier than standard bikes, you will need to replace the types more often. Unfortunately, electric bike tyres are not cheap and will cost you around £30 per tyre to replace. Do not be tempted to purchase cheaper tyres as these are not as safe and will wear down much quicker.
Electric Bike Insurance
The cost of insuring your electric bike will vary depending on the value of your bike and what type of insurance you want. Typically, you can expect to pay between £7.50-£15 per month to ensure an electric bike.