What range will i get from my E-Bike

It's one of the most common questions we hear from customers, and the honest answer is always "it depends".

Your bike, its motor and the size of the battery obviously matter, but so do your weight, how much power assistance you use, and the terrain you're riding on.

This was reinforced when one of our team rode the Timber Trail with two colleagues. All three were on the same model KTM eMTB, with the same motor and the same battery, over the same terrain. By the end of the day, one rider was down to a single bar of battery, another had just run out, and the third still had two bars left. The difference wasn't the bike. One of the riders was a bit heavier, another a bit lighter, and that alone made a meaningful difference to how far the battery went.

Terrain works the same way. Rougher or hillier riding taxes the battery more than terrain that's smooth and flat. And because most e-bikes come with four to six levels of assistance, choosing a higher level will drain the battery faster than a lower one.

The three things that determine your range

So coming back to the original question, there are three main factors at play, the bike itself, how you're using it, and you.

When you see a range quoted for one of our bikes, we usually say "up to 'x' km, depending on usage and conditions". That "up to" figure generally assumes a relatively light rider, on a relatively low level of assistance, on flat and smooth terrain.

Not all e-bike brands are consistent in how they quote range. Some are quite theoretical, producing numbers you're unlikely to ever see in the real world. So here's how to work out what range you're actually likely to get.

How to estimate your real-world e-bike range

Start with the watt hours (Wh) of the battery. This is basically the size of your fuel tank. Multiply the voltage of the bike (usually 36V or 48V) by the amp hours (Ah) of the battery to get watt hours.

As a general rule of thumb for a typical e-bike range:

• •      Around 15km per 100Wh of battery is achievable for a relatively light rider, on a relatively low level of assistance, on flat and smooth terrain.
• •      An efficient mid-drive system, such as Bosch, in a low-powered economy mode might do better than that, potentially around 25km per 100Wh.
• •      A heavier rider may get around 40% less range than a lighter rider on the same bike.
• •      Hilly terrain can reduce range by around 15% compared with flat terrain.
• •      The highest power mode can sometimes give you less than half the range of the lowest power mode.
• •      Higher average speeds reduce range too. The difference between averaging 32kph and 20kph can be around 30%.

Tyre inflation and pedalling effort matter as well. Firmer tyres and more pedalling effort from you both mean more range.

Riding conditions across New Zealand

New Zealand's terrain varies hugely between regions, and that has a real effect on the range you'll get day to day. Wellington and Dunedin riders are dealing with steep, repeated climbs on most commutes, while Christchurch and much of the Waikato are comparatively flat. It's worth thinking about your own local hills rather than a generic average when you're weighing up range figures.

Wind is another factor that's easy to overlook. Wellington in particular is known for strong, consistent wind, and riding into a headwind uses noticeably more battery than riding with a tailwind or in still air, even on flat ground.

Temperature plays a part too. Lithium batteries lose some efficiency in the cold, so riders in colder parts of the South Island, particularly over winter, may notice a bit less range than they'd get on the same bike in summer.

If you're planning a longer ride on one of New Zealand's Great Rides, such as the Otago Central Rail Trail, the Queenstown Trail or the Hauraki Rail Trail, it's worth testing your bike on similar terrain beforehand so you know roughly how far a single charge will take you, or whether you'll want to plan a charging stop.

A note on New Zealand's e-bike rules

In New Zealand, an e-bike (legally, a "power-assisted cycle") is capped at 300W of motor output to be treated as a bicycle rather than a motor vehicle, under the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004. That's worth knowing if you're comparing range or spec sheets against e-bikes sold overseas, where legal power limits can be different. It doesn't determine range on its own, but it's part of why New Zealand riders' real-world experience can look different from range claims aimed at other markets.

Tips for getting more range out of every charge

If you want to increase your e-bike's range on a given ride, or simply get more life out of each charge day to day, these are the changes that make the biggest difference.

Keep your tyres properly inflated

Soft tyres increase rolling resistance, which means the motor has to work harder to maintain the same speed. Check pressure regularly and keep it near the higher end of the tyre's recommended range for everyday riding.

Pedal, don't just cruise

The more effort you put in, the less the motor has to. Even light, steady pedalling alongside the assist can meaningfully stretch your range, especially on longer rides.

Choose a lower assist level when you can

Save the higher power modes for hills, headwinds or when you're short on time. On flatter, easier sections, a lower level of assistance will use noticeably less battery for a similar riding experience.

Ride smoothly

Frequent hard acceleration from a stop uses more energy than gradually building speed. Anticipating traffic lights, corners and stops, and easing off the throttle or assist earlier, helps conserve charge.

Think about your route and load

A flatter route will always go further on the same charge than a hillier one. Carrying less weight, whether that's cargo, panniers or a passenger, also helps, as does riding into less headwind where you have a choice of route or timing.

Look after your battery

Extreme heat and cold both reduce a lithium battery's effective range and can shorten its lifespan over time. Where possible, store and charge your e-bike somewhere temperate, and avoid leaving the battery fully depleted or on charge for long periods when you're not using it.

Keep your bike well maintained

A dry, poorly lubricated chain or brakes that are rubbing slightly create drag that the motor has to work against. A quick service every so often keeps everything running efficiently, which helps your range as much as your bike's overall condition.

Try a range calculator

Bosch have a useful range assistant tool, which you can use to estimate range on bikes that run their system: bosch-ebike.com/nz/service/range-assistant

The same principles apply to any system. Because every bike, rider and set of conditions is different, don't rely solely on the range quoted in the specifications. Instead, come into your local e-bike store and take a decent test ride, in the power setting you think you're likely to use. That will give you a far better idea of what to expect.

All Electrify NZ stores across New Zealand offer free test rides, so come and see us and we'll be happy to help you work out what range you'll really get.