An electric bike’s range is how far it can go on a single charge of its batteries. This distance covers both powered and pedal-assisted riding.

It starts with a fully charged battery and ends when it needs to be charged again. There are many things that affect how far an e-bike can go, so it’s important to look beyond what the maker says to see how it really works. 

Types of Electric Bikes and Their Range

Based on how they are built and what they are meant to do, different types of e-bikes have different ranges.

City E-bikes (30-50 miles)

City e-bikes are designed to work in cities and usually have 400–500Wh batteries. Most people who ride in cities use level 2 or 3 of the bike assist, which uses about 10 to 15Wh per mile. With their upright riding position and medium-width tires, they’re perfect for daily trips because they’re both comfortable and quick.

Mountain E-bikes (20-40 miles)

E-bikes that are ready for the trail have bigger 500–750Wh batteries that can handle steep climbs. Depending on how hard the trail is, it uses anywhere from 15 to 25Wh of power per mile. Their strong motors (usually 750W) give them extra torque for technical parts and steep climbs, and they have 4-5 power assist levels to choose from.

Cargo E-bikes (20-35 miles)

Carry e-bikes can carry up to 350 to 400 pounds because they have 500 to 900Wh batteries. When fully loaded, it uses about 20 to 30 Wh of power per mile. To keep their range while carrying goods, these bikes often have mid-drive motors that work well and lower gear ratios. For heavy-duty delivery work, many models come with two battery choices.

Fat Tire Folding E-bikes (15-40 miles)

These days, folding electric bikes usually have big tires and strong 500-750Wh batteries that can be used for a variety of tasks. Their strong 500–750W motors use 20–30Wh per mile. Most of them weigh between 55 and 77 pounds, which is a good range for being able to fold up and go on any surface.