Real-world e-bike range: median 64% of the brand claim on an everyday ride
How far does an e-bike really go compared with the advertised range?
Across 76 popular US e-bikes on sale today, a 180 lb rider at 16 mph on rolling hills gets a median 64% of the advertised range. Riding on throttle alone over hills, the median drops to 43%.
We estimate range for 76 popular US e-bikes on sale today from brand specs; discontinued models are left out. Each estimate assumes a 180 lb rider, 70°F, pavement and a new battery.
On an everyday ride (16 mph, rolling hills, relaxed pedaling), the median bike gets 64% of its claimed range. At 12 mph on flat ground the median is 102%, close to the brand claims. On throttle alone over hills it falls to 43%.
Independent reviewers ran 33 tests to an empty battery at high assist or on throttle on bikes in our database, including discontinued models. In those tests riders got a median 57% of the claim.
The gap varies by bike. The Cannondale Treadwell Neo 2 EQ’s everyday estimate is 17 mi against a 47 mi claim (36%), and the Velotric T1 ST Plus’s is 25 mi against 70 mi (36%). The Super73 R Adventure Series SE’s estimate matches its 55 mi claim.
We compare each bike with its single-battery claim. Some brands also quote range with a second or extender battery (Fiido Titan 215.6 mi, Lectric XPedition2 170 mi, Rad RadRunner Max 125 mi); those figures need extra batteries, so we leave them out.
Claims run high because brands usually test at the lowest assist level, with a light rider, on flat ground. Brand claims tend to match only the lowest-assist runs, within about 20%.
E-bikes in this update
Commuter & cruiser · $2,175 · about 17 mi everyday
Commuter & cruiser · $1,399 · about 25 mi everyday
Fat tire · $3,895 · about 55 mi everyday