A Quick Guide to Electric Bikes

Electric Bikes: A Sustainable Transportation Option for Short Distances

Electric bikes or e-bikes are a more affordable alternative to electric vehicles, and they have been growing in popularity in the US. In this article, Quick Electricity introduces you to types of e-bikes available and money saving incentives you can earn by buying one. 

• Depending on how an e-bike is designed, it can run with an electric motor only or motor-assisted pedaling. 
• According to an article by Wired, you can expect to pay around $2,000 for an electric bike of good quality, and depending on your location you may qualify for financial incentives.

An e-bike helps you avoid traffic congestion, without the intense pedaling required by a normal bike. This makes e-bikes an attractive option for commuting and other situations where you want to avoid sweating. The first electric bikes were heavy and limited by a short battery life, but there are now many excellent models to choose from. 

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What Types of Electric Bikes Are Available?

Electric bikes can be categorized into three classes, depending on their maximum speed and how their electric motors interact with the pedals.

Electric Bike Class	Main Features
Class 1	-Uses an electric motor up to 750 watts -Assists you while pedaling up to 20 mph
Class 2	-Uses a throttle to reach up to 20 mph without pedaling -Can also assist you while pedaling like a Class 1 e-bike
Class 3	-Uses an electric motor up to 750 watts -Assists you while pedaling up to 28 mph -Also known as “speed pedelec”

Class 1 and Class 3 e-bikes are the most popular, and they can be used in most jurisdictions without a license. They are treated as normal bikes, since the motor only operates when the user is pedaling. On the other hand, you may need a license to use a Class 2 e-bike, since it can propel itself without pedaling.

There are also e-bike conversion kits, which add an electric motor to a traditional bike. The motor is installed on the front or back wheel, depending on how the conversion kit is designed.

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Understanding the Technical Specifications of E-Bikes

When comparing electric bikes, there are two important terms that give an idea of the performance you can expect: torque and battery size.

Torque can be described as the rotational force the e-bike motor is capable of producing, measured in Newton-meters (Nm). If you choose an e-bike with a high torque, you will experience a larger boost when pedaling. For example, electric bikes designed for commuting have a typical torque of around 30-40 Nm, while electric cargo bikes normally exceed 80 Nm.

Battery size is measured in watt-hours (Wh), and a larger battery increases the range of an e-bike. Some standard sizes for e-bikes include 400 Wh, 500 Wh and 625 Wh. E-bike batteries are depleted faster when you use maximum boost, which means you can achieve a higher range by using the motor at reduced power and pedaling more.

• Many e-bikes now come with a battery locking feature, in case you want a protection measure against theft.
• The battery can be unlocked and removed for recharging.

Bicycling.com recommends some other features you should look for in an e-bike: wider tires for improved control, a suspension fork, reliable disc brakes, and automatic integrated lights.

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Are There Incentive Programs for E-Bikes in the US?

There are incentive programs for many types of green technologies throughout the US, and this includes electric bikes. The following table summarizes the main e-bike incentive programs active as of 2022:

E-Bike Incentive Program	Location	Benefits Offered
Austin Energy Electric Ride Rebate	Texas	The program covers e-bikes, scooters, mopeds, and motorcycles: -$300 per e-ride for individuals. -$400 per e-ride for fleets.
Monterey Bay Air Resources District E-Bike Incentive Program	California	-$500 incentive for Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bikes. -Additional $500 incentive for income eligible applicants ($1,000 total)
511 Contra Costa Electric Bicycle Rebate Program	California	$150 – $500 cash rebate when purchasing a new e-bike
City of Healdsburg Electric Bike Rebate	California	-$300 – $700 rebate for e-bikes -$50 for e-bike conversion kits
San Diego County Pedal Ahead Scheme	California	“Loan to own” program: -Track your e-bike usage for two years. -Provide insurance coverage. -Get the e-bike at the end of the term.
Silicon Valley Power Rebates	California	10% of your e-bike purchase price, up to $300. Income eligible applicants can get an extra $200.
Denver E-Bike and E-Cargo Bike Instant Rebates	Colorado	-$400 rebate for normal e-bikes, additional $500 rebate for cargo e-bikes ($900 total). -$1,200 rebate for income eligible applicants (up to $1,700 if purchasing a cargo e-bike).
Holy Cross Energy E-Bike Rebates	Colorado	$50 e-bike rebate, up to two per household
Town of Edwards E-Bike Rebates	Colorado	Up to $200 per e-bike, up to two rebates per household.
La Plata Electric Association Rebates	Colorado	25% of e-bike purchase price, up to $300
Ashland Electric Bicycle Incentive	Oregon	When purchasing from local stores: -$300 for e-bikes -$600 for cargo e-bikes When purchasing from non-local stores: -$200 for e-bikes and cargo e-bikes
Burlington Electric Department E-Bike Rebate	Vermont	$200 rebate for e-bikes
Vermont Public Power Supply Authority	Vermont	$100 rebate for e-bikes and retrofit kits
NYSERDA Ride Clean Rebate Program	New York	50% of new e-bike purchase price, up to $1,100

Keep in mind that incentive programs are constantly changing. Before purchasing an e-bike, you should check which benefits are available locally and their eligibility requirements.