E-bikes are probably around 100 times more economical than e-cars so it makes sense that they are much more impactful simply because so many more people can afford them.
The raw electricity usage is ~25 times lower for E-Bikes. And that is not counting in the 2 ton weight difference with all this steel, battery cells, electronics etc.
The initial cost too. U can get an ebike for like 1500€ but u gotta pay like 60000€ or more for an electric car. Also insurance, maintainance, parking, etc
I just read about an Chinese (maybe govt subsidised) EV for 15 000 USD. Even in EU you’re starting to see 35k€ EVs
The lower weight and size also has significant external benefits, because roads need less maintenance and don’t need to be as big (that means less taxes for the owning classes in the back).
100 is a bit much, a good ebike can cost several thousands. IMHO the main driver for adoption is the availability of dedicated infrastructure. I can afford an EV but chose to use a bike because the infrastructure is excellent where I live and it allows me to avoid traffic and congestion.
Maybe its a bit much but as i said in the other reply, you need:
- a parking space
- insurance
- maintainance
- eventually very costly battery replacement
All of these are either not necessaey or muuuch cheaper for bikes. These are also recurring costs that together could pay for a whole new e bike every few months.
My old shitty car cost 2,5 times as much as my really nice ebike. Both bought used. I used to pay around 200€ a month for fuel and there is also insurance. My ebike right now costs me about a handful of euros in fuel each month and I don’t have to take extra time for exercise out of my day. So a hundred times more efficient isn’t even that high.
You get about 150 E-bikes out of the cells used for a car
Yeah and a motorcycle is almost as heavy as a car… if you compare a Honda Goldwing (379 kg) to a Citroën 2CV (475 kg).
I didn’t say anything useful, but we sure cherry-picked ourselves out of the general statement that cars 5-10 times heavier than motorcycles!
I’ve honestly been considering giving up my car for an electric scooter for the summer - my wife will keep her car, so we can still go to places with the family, but I don’t need a car for my work commute. At the same time, I’m too lazy to wake up early enough to walk.
Helps that I live in a medium sized European town. Escooters and bikes are very viable - and you can rent them for a low fee too, from multiple providers (I do wish they didn’t each require their own app, but of course they do).
Do it! Just think of all the insurance, gas and repair money you’ll save.
I’d personally advise for an e bike rather than a scooter since it’s more versatile and allows you to put bags on it to transport stuff, but that’s personal preference of course.
I assumed scooter meant something like this: https://mein-escooter.de/cdn/shop/products/102005_1z_M-Racing_ART_940x.jpg
My dream vehicle: electric tadpole velomobile. Efficient, stable even in winter conditions, weather protection. Unfortunately unaffordable at the moment, prices starting at around 9000€. Plus living in a condo storing one safely while not in use is a difficult endeavor.
Yeah someone in my building lost their fancy mountain bike, eventhough it was behind a thick locked door that only people with a key thingie can get inside with.
Probably would have been safer to put it outside on a proper bike rack with u-lock and cable
Electric bikes have become really popular and common here in Denmark. I only have around 5km to work, so no need for an electric one, but if I had perhaps 20km to work, I’d buy an electric bicycle instantly.
I have 30km to work and it’s along high speed roads. Electric bike is unsuitable and will eat about an hour each way. With the shifts I do I can’t compromise my precious home hours.
Some people need traditional cars and I’m one of them. I won’t share my job but before you say I should move job I really can’t lol.