Turned a car commute into an e-bike commute

[mwulff]

Hi everybody,

Just thought I would share my last 3 weeks of e-bike commuting. Basically I commute 24 km's per day (12 km back and forth). Over the course of the winter I have done this in an electric car.

I did the math and the cost pr km came out to about 2.5 dkk (0.34 $US) + 40 minutes of city driving each day.

So when my colleague introduced me to a new electric bike called the Evo Cross Pro (from BH bikes) I became really interested. The bike was ridiculously expensive at 21,000 dkk (3177 $US). But somewhere it dawned on me that this might be a good idea so here's the math:

Km's driven per year for work: 220 * 24 km = 5280 km's.

Direct cost of driving in the car: 5280 * 2.5 dkk = 13200 dkk (1997 $US)
Estimated direct cost of riding e-bike: 5280 * 0.02 dkk = 106 dkk (16 $US)
Bike write-off over 6 years: 21,000 / 6 = 3500 dkk (529 $US)

Savings on running costs alone come to about: 9594 dkk (1451 $US)

I have not included maintanence cost on the bike or the car since that would only make the car look even more ridiculous than it already is. I have also not included the price of getting some cold-weather gear for winter biking but that will be a minor cost.

So my advice for anyone with a 15-30 km commute is to seriously look into using an electric bike (get a fast one). They look expensive to buy, but the running costs are so low that it really makes a lot of sense.

If I'm lucky and the bike lasts more than 6 years then the savings are even higher.



 

[PowerMustache]

Good one! I appreciate the detailed cost comparison. So you will keep the car but save on the cost/mile of your commute?

I have a 20 mile each way commute (40 miles total) which I considered for an ebike. Instead I decided to stay with a combination of bus/bicycle. I already have a car but don't use it for the commute, so an ebike cost would add to the basic car cost, not substitute. I do see the value of an ebike for some situations, and wish mine was one of them. I'm glad to see you find it's a good value for you!

[mwulff]

I ditched the car. So there are savings on tax, registration and maintenance as well. All in all a good win. And I highly recommend doing it if your commute allows it.

[RobFIRE]

Great! As you've got rid of the car then you're going to be in profit after a year and a half or so.

Since your commute is about a quarter or so of the battery range then you are only effectively doing about 50 battery full cycles per year so the battery should easily be usable for 10 years (I assume you will try to keep the battery in the 20 to 80% range to minimize battery wear).

Does this e bike have a mode where the motor runs by itself (i.e. you can cycle with no pedalling?) or does it only work as an enhancement to your pedal power? If I were commuting I think I'd want that mode on the way to work (in case work in office with limited changing facilities / have client meetings etc.).

[hankscorpio84]

Congrats on increasing your badassity!  I currently commute in my old GMC pickup.  17 mpg, which is shit, but it is reliable and paid for, and I use it a lot for building and cutting wood.  Commute is 14 miles each way, 12 hour shifts, 7 days on 7 days off.  It would be possible to pedal bike it but adding almost 200 miles of biking per week would really wear me out.  In addition to looking for housing closer to work, I have been debating between buying a used prius/civic for commuting or going to the ebike.  I just ordered a mid drive kit for my 29er yesterday.  I'm expecting at least 30 mph and a range of 30 miles with mild pedaling.  Cost about $1060 shipped.  Doing the math at .50 cents/mile it should pay itself off in 72 trips (not counting electricity costs of charging battery).  The used car would cost much more up front and take much longer to break even.  The only downside to the bike is there will be days in winter where biking is not practical. 

Now the challenge is to ride it as much as possible, regardless of weather.  I already have lots of good clothes, and places to dry out/store extra clothes at work.  For motivation I plan to keep track of my miles and put the $$ savings in a separate account to watch it grow.

 

[Rosbif]

Great! As you've got rid of the car then you're going to be in profit after a year and a half or so.

Since your commute is about a quarter or so of the battery range then you are only effectively doing about 50 battery full cycles per year so the battery should easily be usable for 10 years (I assume you will try to keep the battery in the 20 to 80% range to minimize battery wear).

Does this e bike have a mode where the motor runs by itself (i.e. you can cycle with no pedalling?) or does it only work as an enhancement to your pedal power? If I were commuting I think I'd want that mode on the way to work (in case work in office with limited changing facilities / have client meetings etc.).

I'm guessing from the DKK that Denmark is the country in question ;) EU regs say 250W max, and assistance up to 25kph and only while the pedals are turning. Beyond that, it's an electric scooter and you need a numberplate and helmet like for a 50cc or 125cc twist and go thing. I have the former variety of electric assist bike, and I can just sit there gently twirling the pedals while the motor scoots me along. I take it to client meetings when I couldn't take a regular bike (especially in summer).

[mwulff]

You're correct about the country and the rules. I try to keep a speed of around 30 km/h (unassisted) and then the assist kicks in at around 25 km/h. Very nice for those windy and rainy days.

[an1m3n00b]

I have a similar-distance commute and have been interested in this same thing. Ditching my car insurance and registration will save me $1,300+ a year. (I'd still keep the car because it's at the age where cars stop depreciating anyways lol) Main issue being winter - how do you plan to cope with snow and ice on a two-wheeler? I'd be doing it with a motorcycle, but the principles are mostly the same - and the cost is similarly inexpensive.

[effigy98]

As an added bonus if you get hit by a car in a crosswalk you can actually make 5 figures and buy a new bike each time.

[BikeFanatic]

I do not know how to quantify it properly, but I decide to commute by Ebike and regular bike ten year ago, and I saved a ton of money. Where I  work  for the last ten years they charge minimum  20 dollars to 35$ to park. My commute is 5 miles each way.
I calculate that I saved 30K over  ten years, and I also calculate 5% extra because I put all extra cash  toward my mortgage.
I have spent a ton on Ebikes and bikes up to 2K per year. But I have also saved 1000 per year in car cost as most of the time I did not have a car at all.

I totally recommend an Ebike to save money esp if you can eliminate a car or if you have to pay for parking in the city.

[JoRocka]

I bought my motorcycle for less than that- and I can have more fun with it.

Thanks. but no thanks!!!

[Apostrophe]

I bought my motorcycle for less than that- and I can have more fun with it.

Thanks. but no thanks!!!

A motorcycle is different than an e-bike. Different use cases, different costs, and different risks.

Where I live in Phoenix, I can get to work on my e-bike on the canal trail (no lights, no traffic, no intersections) in the same amount of time it would take me to ride my motorcycle or my car. With far lower costs, and far less risk, and with a bit of exercise.

I ride a Haibike xDuro 29er, with a de-restricted motor. I generally cruise around 25-27 mph, with a top speed of just over 30 mph. This bike is pedal assist only - no throttle.

I highly recommend e-bikes as a way to commute. I have just under 2,000 miles on mine.

[mwulff]

I have a similar-distance commute and have been interested in this same thing. Ditching my car insurance and registration will save me $1,300+ a year. (I'd still keep the car because it's at the age where cars stop depreciating anyways lol) Main issue being winter - how do you plan to cope with snow and ice on a two-wheeler? I'd be doing it with a motorcycle, but the principles are mostly the same - and the cost is similarly inexpensive.

I am in a pretty good spot with regards to winter. The city that I live in has an absurd amount of bike paths and they get cleared in the winter by the city. So when I wake up and go to work somebody has already scraped/salted all the bike paths.

I do plan on some nice "arctic" clothing and a winter-helmet with ear-protection. But that is about the extent of my planning. If I decide to go all-in then I might get some studded tires for my e-bike and change over sometime in November.

As for motorcycles: I know nothing of motorcycles, don't have a license for them etc. But here's my take anyway: A motorcycle has all the inconveniences of a car (insurance, repair bills, tire swaps) but does beat it on fuel-economy.

Now a motorcycle might the right choice in a lot of situations but I would prefer the e-bike if it is at all possible.

E-bikes have:

1. Low operating costs
2. Reasonable purchase price (compared to operating costs)
3. Does give you a bit exercise
4. No insurance required

And as a bike it can anywhere downtown, park almost anywhere and you can cut through parks (if allowed by local laws). It can also get through roadworks most of the time, drive through narrow alleys without a problem..

For distances of up to 15 km's I would recommend the e-bike over any other form of transportation (except normal bike) if it can be used safely.