Top 8 reasons why electric bikes are so expensive

Electric bikes are amazing, but they have one huge disadvantage: they can cost a hand and a leg!

There are many of them of course Cheap electric bikes on the market but most Best electric bikes Outside, they cost more than most people feel comfortable consumption.

The question is, why are electric bicycles so expensive? In some cases, they cost more than a full motorcycle.

It doesn’t make sense on the surface. However, when you dig a little deeper, things begin to establish in your place.

Below, we will explain the 8 most important factors that make up electrical bikes in detail.

We also recommend reading our guide called “How much does an electric bike cost?“This will illuminate the different ranges of e-bicycle prices.

1. Electric motors are expensive

Medium -drive motors offer more natural energy distribution, but are notoriously expensive. (Source: Orbea.com)

The main feature that separates electric bicycles from bicycles with a man’s engine is the engine. And that is no secret Electric bicycle engines It can be very expensive.

In addition to helping the driver with additional power, these engines also have to meet several more important requirements:

• They have to be small
• They must be light
• Have to be easily serviced

As you can imagine, these additional requirements only add the final price.

E-bicycle engines must also be unnoticeably integrated, which makes things even worse in the financial sector.

For example, the rear hub motors are built into the head of the rear wheel, which means that the back end of the frame, the rear rim and spokes must be stronger than on the traditional bike.

Similarly, medium -drive motors are installed around the lower bracket, which means that this area must be specially designed to place the engine and increased to withstand additional forces.

For these reasons, the engine may be one of the main reasons why electric bikes are so expensive.

2. The batteries are even more expensive

Frame placed opposite integrated e-bicycle batteries.

To work and run you forward, electric engines need the strength they draw from battery mounted on the frame or integrated inside the pipe.

Almost all modern electric bicycles use Li-Ion batteries, which are still quite expensive because of how demanding they are.

For example, the costs of Bosch batteries start at around $ 500 for the smallest of a 400 Wh and exceeds the USD $ 1000 for the largest model of 800 Wh. This should be taken into account at the final cost of e-bits.

If the battery is integrated into the lower pipe, it means that the frame must be made of custom to fit the battery. In addition, the system must be resistant to the weather to avoid water damage.

When you consider all these things, the price of electric bicycles begins to make sense.

3. Controllers and sensors

The engine and battery are key components on an electric bicycle. However, they will not be able to do much alone.

In order for the system to be completed, you also need controller and sensors.

The controller is basically served as the brain of e-bicycle, allowing engine and battery communication. This dictates how many batteries power supply should send the engine at any time, compared to current power demand.

The sensors are there to determine how much power the engine needs. They measures the entry of the rider’s power, allowing the engine to supplement this power with the correct amount of additional power.

IN Differences between cadence sensors and torque They can also increase the costs of the e-bicycle, as the sensors of the torque are more sophisticated and therefore more expensive.

4. A more permanent component that cost more

All more modern e-bickel come with firmer components, such as carbon belts shown above. (Source: lecticebikes.com)

Electric bicycles can be quite powerful, which means that some of their components must be able to withstand higher loads.

For example, an electric motor combined with pedaling of a rider puts extra stress on the chain, which must be firmer than on a traditional bike. For this reason, many manufacturers build Electric bicycles with a belt drivewhich are more durable but also more expensive.

Furthermore, due to the extra weight of the engine and battery, rims and spokes must also be more durable, which costs money.

E-bicicles allow cyclists to ride with higher speeds, which means they need them Strong brakes for e-bickel to be able to slow down safely (especially when you consider extra weight). That’s why almost all electric bicycles come with brakes, many of which are hydraulic and have four pistons.

As you can see, they eventually collect all these adjustments and increase the final price.

5. Solid frames

The frame is a bicycle skeleton that holds all the components together. Extra speed and weight associated with e-biciches means that the frame must be able to withstand greater force.

Because of this, electric bicycle frames are more cumbersome than traditional frames, which requires more materials, more testing and higher security standards.

In addition, most of the e-bicycle frames must also be made to be made to include specialized features such as medium-wheel drive engine and integrated downtube batteries.

6. Research and Development in progress

Lectic offers its model with a smart shift and a belt drive, which requires tiring research and development. (Source: lecticebikes.com)

When it comes to the design of traditional bicycles, we can say that in the last few decades much has not changed.

Don’t get us wrong, modern bikes are more complex and more sophisticated compared to bicycles of 50 years ago, but this is basically the same machine. It has a diamond -shaped frame, rolls on two wheels, and is powered by slippers attached to a drive.

On the other hand, electric bikes require constant research and development to remain at the top of technological progress in electricity.

The engines become smaller, lighter and more powerful, while the batteries become more compact and yet energy thick.

E-bicikles also get easier due to progress in materials and components. Weight is one of their main disadvantages compared to traditional bikes, so manufacturers invest a lot to make more Light electric bicycles.

All this is possible thanks to the expensive processes of research and development they ended up at the final price of e-bicicals.

7. Advanced modern features

The color screen and the rear lights with integrated turning signals are common on quality e-bickel. (Source: Aventon.com)

Electrical assistance is not the only thing that separates electric bikes from non -electric bicycles.

E-bicic producers often include other advanced modern features such as bright LED lights, LCD color screens, Bluetooth connection, integration of Android/iOS apps, GPS, theft protection and so on.

Electric bicycles at the starting level With several of these features it can cost as much as $ 500. Consider brands like Lektrica or More.

On the other hand, top models with all bells and whistles can cost near or more than $ 10,000. Brands like Specialized, Travel, Gazelle, or Province it comes to mind.

Of course, a balanced approach costs somewhere between these two extremes.

So, having that in mind, electric bikes can be expensive, but they should not be, it all depends on the features you consider key.

8. Niša market

The last, but not the least important, although the demand for e-bicycles has never been bigger around the world, this is still a niche market.

The number of consumers is much lower compared to cars or non -electric bicycles, which means that profit margins are also lower.

This means that electric bicycles are produced in smaller quantities that affect the economy of the scale – the cost advantages that manufacturers receive due to the high scope of work.

In other words, creating fewer units means that fixed costs (such as marketing, research and development, tools and factory directing) are distributed to a smaller number of bicycles, resulting in higher costs per unit.

In addition, smaller production numbers also mean that brands should pay more for parts and components.

In combination, all these factors increase the price for final consumers.

Final thoughts: Will electric bikes become cheaper?

Electric bicycles are undoubtedly significant investments, and their high costs can be a switch of many potential owners.

However, as the technology continues to develop and the market expands, it hopes that prices will eventually decrease. This has been going on for the last few years, though slowly.

The economy of the scale will improve because cities invest more in cycling infrastructure, and more consumer accepts e-bicycle, leading to lower production costs.

In addition, progress in batteries and material technology is likely to reduce the prices of key components.

Government incentives and subsidies can also play a role in placing e-bicicals more affordable. Many countries and cities around the world offer them to future owners of electric vehicles.

Although it could take time, a trend towards more affordable and more cost -effective electric bicycles seems inevitable, promising a sustainable and bicycle future.