EV vs eBike – Why Are People Choosing EVs Over eBikes?

As someone who enjoys using a bike for short trips, I’ve always been baffled by the fact that eBikes haven’t been pushed harder by governments—or should I say the UK government? Those who enjoy cycling will know of the benefits of cycling in the Netherlands vs. the UK but the age-old debate of a flat country will always rear its head. But what about eBikes and why aren’t we using them?

With modern eBikes boasting an 80+ mile range, minimal charging costs, and easy storage, they seem like an obvious choice for short commutes. Yet, the popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) has skyrocketed as a genuine ‘clean’ option (although subjective) vs an ICE car.

So, why is this? Is it cultural? Are government incentives swaying the market? Or is it a combination of factors?

Our focus here at Family Cycling is to make your life better so I wanted to explore why an eBike should be a genuine option for you from a health and financial perspective. 

Let’s break it down and explore whether an eBike could be a better alternative to purchasing a brand-new EV.

EV vs eBike: A Head-to-Head Comparison

Let me start by saying this is not a dunking of EVs. I own a small city car of which is an EV and they certainly have their place. I just question the motive of an EV over an eBike which is arguably more of an enabler than an EV.

Here are some top-level comparisons for you to look at from a financial point of view.

Factor	EV (e.g., Nissan Leaf)	eBike (e.g., Specialized Turbo Vado)
Initial Cost	£30,000+ (New PCP/Lease)	£2,000–£5,000 (New)
Running Costs (Energy per Year @ 2,000 miles)	£300-£500 (Home charging rates at ~£0.30/kWh)	£10-£30 (eBike charging at ~£0.05/kWh)
Depreciation Rate	~40% over 3 years	Minimal compared to EVs
Insurance	£400-£1,000 per year	£50-£150 per year
Maintenance	£200-£500 per year	£50-£200 per year
Parking & Storage	Requires a dedicated space	Can be stored in a garage or home
Environmental Impact	Requires lithium battery mining and energy-intensive production	Smaller battery, significantly lower production impact
Practicality for School Runs	Comfortable in bad weather, cargo space	Cargo eBikes can carry kids, weather gear needed
Government Incentives	Salary sacrifice schemes, company tax benefits	Cycle-to-Work schemes (up to £1,000, higher with employer agreement)

The Environmental Factor

One of the reasons EVs are so popular is the claimed environmental impact. But is it really worth the purchase of a new car or would combining an older car (already exists thus no manufacturing) with an eBike for shorter journeys better for the environment?

The below information compares the environmental impact of purchasing a new EV, keeping an older petrol/diesel car, and using an eBike. It includes production emissions, lifetime CO2 impact, and resource consumption.

One major argument for switching to an EV is reducing emissions. But does buying a brand-new EV for short journeys really make sense? Let’s consider:

• A 2019 VW Touran, when well-maintained, has a lower carbon footprint than manufacturing a new EV.
• If a car is used for 8,000 miles a year, but an eBike covers shorter journeys (e.g., school runs), this reduces the need for fuel or electricity consumption.
• An eBike emits far less CO2 per mile than any car, even an EV.
• Using an eBike for short trips eliminates emissions from cold starts in petrol/diesel cars.

For a simple school drop-off (1 mile each way, 5 days a week), an eBike seems like the smarter choice, environmentally speaking.

Case Study: Financial, Health, and Environmental Impact

So how do we break it down to benefit you the reader? If you’ve reached this article then your mindset is already thinking of the right things. Many go through society with a sheep mentality. Following the herd and failing to make any self-exploration.

I’ve found case studies on the financial, health and environmental impact useful in selling the vision to people. I feel breaking it down by all three enables you to lean in on what matters to you and combined you can see the compelling impact of change.

Financial Comparison: EV vs Older Car + eBike

This table compares the financial impact of purchasing a brand-new EV versus keeping an older car and using an eBike for short trips. The analysis includes upfront costs, ongoing expenses, and potential savings over three years.

Cost Factor	Case Study 1: New EV	Case Study 2: Older Car + eBike
Deposit Payment	£3,000	£0 (existing car)
PCP Monthly Payment	£400-£500	£0
Insurance	£800 per year	£500-£1,000 per year
Energy Costs	£1,200 per year (8,000 miles @ ~£0.15/kWh)	£1,100-£1,400 (7,500 miles petrol) + £30 (eBike)
Maintenance & Depreciation	£3,000 per year	£500-£1,000 per year
Total Annual Cost	£10,000+	£2,500-£3,500
Savings Over 3 Years	£0	£20,000–£25,000

Health Comparison: EV vs Older Car + eBike

This table outlines the health benefits of using an eBike compared to relying entirely on an EV. It considers cycling distance, calorie expenditure, and overall health improvements associated with increased physical activity.

Health Factor	Case Study 1: New EV	Case Study 2: Older Car + eBike
Miles Cycled Per Year	0	~500 (school + errands)
Approximate Calories Burnt	0	~15,000–25,000 (30-50 cal per mile)
Health Benefits	Minimal	Improved cardiovascular fitness, reduced stress, increased daily activity

Environmental Comparison: EV vs Older Car + eBike

This table highlights the environmental impact of buying a new EV compared to retaining an older petrol/diesel car and supplementing it with an eBike. It looks at production emissions, lifetime CO2 impact, resource usage, and energy consumption.

Environmental Factor	Case Study 1: New EV	Case Study 2: Older Car + eBike
Production Emissions (CO2e)	~10-15 tonnes (battery & manufacturing)	0 (existing car) + ~500kg (eBike)
Lifetime CO2 Impact	~30-40g CO2 per mile	~150-200g CO2 per mile (petrol) + ~10g per mile (eBike)
Battery Resource Usage	High (lithium, cobalt, nickel)	Minimal (eBike battery ~1/10th the size of an EV battery)
Energy Consumption	~15-20 kWh per 100 miles	~3-5 kWh per 100 miles (eBike)

Summary of Key Findings

Financial Takeaways:

• Keeping an older car and using an eBike can save £20,000–£25,000 over three years compared to financing a new EV. (Based upon an entry-level EV)
• eBike running costs are significantly lower, with negligible energy consumption and minimal maintenance costs.

Health Takeaways:

• Using an eBike for short trips can result in 500 miles of additional cycling per year, improving overall fitness.
• Approximate calorie burn from cycling is 15,000–25,000 calories annually, promoting cardiovascular health and reducing stress.

Environmental Takeaways:

• A new EV has a production impact of 10-15 tonnes of CO2, whereas keeping an existing car avoids these emissions.
• eBike energy consumption is 3-5 kWh per 100 miles, significantly lower than the 15-20 kWh per 100 miles required by an EV.
• Battery resource usage is much lower for eBikes, reducing reliance on lithium, cobalt, and nickel.

The Real-World Benefits of eBikes for Families

1. Cargo eBikes for School Runs

Cargo eBikes, like the Tern GSD or Riese & Müller Load 60, are designed to carry children safely. With weather covers, they work year-round and offer a fun, active alternative to car commutes.

2. Low Running Costs

Charging an eBike costs pennies per week compared to even the cheapest EV tariffs. Maintenance is also minimal – no MOTs, road tax, or expensive servicing.

3. Health & Well-Being Benefits

Cycling daily helps improve cardiovascular health, boosts mental well-being, and sets a positive example for kids. Plus, skipping the school traffic is a win!

4. Avoiding Depreciation

Unlike an EV that loses thousands in value annually, a well-maintained eBike holds its value well.

Potential Government Incentives & Campaigns

But how can the government support it and why outside of London is this not happening?

For eBikes to become a more viable alternative to EVs, governments need to introduce stronger incentives and awareness campaigns. Here are some potential policies and marketing approaches that could shift consumer behaviour:

Incentives to Encourage eBike Adoption:

• Subsidies & Grants: Offer direct subsidies for eBike purchases, similar to EV grants, covering 25-50% of the cost of a new eBike. This could be tax deductible against anyone’s return. 
• Tax Benefits: Expand Cycle-to-Work schemes to include higher-value eBikes and cargo bikes, making them more affordable for families.
• Interest-Free Loans: Provide government-backed interest-free loans for eBike purchases, similar to home energy efficiency loans. In the same way, energy efficiency alternations can improve the home we can also improve the health of everyone via eBikes. 
• Employer Incentives: Encourage businesses to provide eBike commuting programs, with tax breaks for those who support staff in switching to eBikes.
• Infrastructure Investment: Improve cycling infrastructure with dedicated Bike lanes, secure parking, and charging stations in urban areas. This would require a bold government with a long-term plan; not something I am confident in seeing within the UK currently.

Advertising & Awareness Campaigns:

• Public Health Campaigns: Promote the health benefits of biking through NHS-backed initiatives, showing the connection between active travel and reduced obesity and stress levels. This could also include financial savings for the NHS. 
• Cost-Saving Comparisons: Create government-sponsored advertising showing the annual savings of using an e-bike versus an EV or traditional car.
• Community eBike Trials: Run local council programs allowing families to trial cargo ebikes for free before committing to a purchase. These could be set up outside schools to highlight the benefits. Many are just not aware of how good they are. 
• EV vs. eBike Challenges: Encourage influencers, local figures, and government officials to participate in ‘EV vs. eBike’ challenges, showcasing the practical benefits of eBikes for short urban commutes. This could include role models within Sport, TV & Music.

Final Thoughts – Should You Buy an eBike Instead of an EV?

The government incentives and campaigns are of course a pipe dream of a far-distant reality. It’s very unlikely that this level of adoption is going to take place across the country; particularly if you live outside of a major city.

But in the meantime you can influence your own life by your own decisions; saving money and improving your health across multiple parameters.

For short trips, an eBike is clearly the winner in terms of cost, sustainability, and practicality. If you already own a relatively efficient petrol or diesel car, keeping it for longer and supplementing it with an eBike could make far more financial and environmental sense than buying a brand-new EV.

Governments and employers should be pushing for better eBike incentives, as they are the true game-changer for urban transport. Until then, the choice remains yours – but for school runs and quick errands, an eBike might be the smarter, greener, and cheaper way forward.

Photo by Hyundai Motor Group on Unsplash

Last Updated on March 13, 2025 by Ryan