Wow...
Self admitted electric bike user here- my wife and I each have an electric human hybrid bike, and really do think they were worth getting. We have one car, and two wildly different work schedules. We also rarely use the car anymore, even when it is cold, raining, snowing, etc. We were using them without electric assist for commuting, but after adding motors they are used in any weather, and any schedule. Even on normal days speeding up the hills gives us 10-20 minutes more per day to spend together, which is amazing when working late... and worth the extra cost.
We also have regular bikes for exercise/short local trips without much cargo.
I wouldn't call them the bedpan and catheter level. You still use your body much more than in a car- the key word is setting up the bikes as electric assist bikes, not mopeds. Plus, the environmental impact,even when considering battery manufacture, is MUCH less than an automobile. My wife only learned to ride a bike as an adult, yet with electric assist she almost never drives to work.
Financially, since we biked to work 50% of the time already, they will take a long time to pay off. Our gas expenses did halve the very first month we got the electrics running.. though it was already a tiny typical expense. Payoff is about two years, but that includes new bikes that will last MUCH MUCH longer than that. Yes we bought used parts when available.
Lastly, they are freaking fun, even MMM used to have motorcycles. These are cheaper, with almost nonexistent maintenance. Different strokes for different folks. Slow open air transportation, that doesn't let you recline, and requires you to work at least some, and costs less than a decent laptop doesn't seem like a bedpan.