If you are thinking about getting an electric bike, you might wonder how much it will cost to charge it. After all, if you are going to be relying on electricity to power your ride, you will need to make sure you can keep your battery charged and ready to go.
Fortunately, the cost of charging an electric bike in the USA is relatively low. On average, it will cost you about 6 to 7 cents per charge. In other countries, it will cost you over 9 to 10 cents per charge. China has the lowest cost per charge, which is as low as 3.5 cents.
Keep in mind that the actual cost will vary depending on the size of your battery and the price of electricity in your area. But overall, electric bikes are very affordable to operate and maintain.
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- Also Read: Cheap Electric Bikes
How To Calculate the Cost of Charging an Electric Bike
To calculate the cost of charging an electric bike, you need to know the battery capacity in watt-hours (Wh), convert watt-hours into kilowatt-hours (kWhs), and the cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) from your local utility company.
Assuming you have a 48 volts 10.5 Amp hours battery. Now you need the capacity of your ebike’s battery that is measured in watt-hours (Wh). For this, you just need to multiply the voltage with Amp hours.
The formula is:
Volts x Amp hours = watt-hours
V x Ah = Wh
So, a 48 volts 10.5 Amp hours battery has 504 watt-hours
48 x 10.5 = 504 watt-hours
Electricity providers refer to 1kWh as 1 unit of electricity, and this is how they usually bill you. Therefore, you need to convert watt-hours of your battery into kilowatt-hours.
For this, you just need to divide the watt-hour by 1,000. The formula is:
watt-hour / 1000 = kilowatt-hour
Wh / 1000 = kWh
504 / 1000 = 0.504 kilowatt-hours
Once you know the kilowatt-hours of your ebike’s battery, all you need to do is to multiply it with price per kilowatt-hour. The average unit price of electricity in the US is 14 cents, so you can calculate the cost per charge with the following formula:
Kilowatt-hour of battery x electricity cost per kilowatt-hour = The cost to charge your electric
bike’s battery.
0.504kWh x 14 cents = 7 cents to fully charge
This cost per charge is surprisingly low. An average ebike has a range between 25 to 45 miles, and we used this example to calculate the cost. In other words, you can travel up to 45 miles for just 7 cents.
The takeaway is that you need to know the battery capacity, voltage, and cost per electricity unit to calculate the cost of charging your electric bike.
Average Cost to Charge an Electric Bike for A Year
Assuming you need to charge your electric bike every day, it would cost you an average of $0.07 per day, or $25.55 per year, to charge an electric bike. This cost is based on the U.S. average electricity rate of 14 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh).
In other countries, the cost to charge your ebike varies depending on the price of electricity unit in that country. In the UK, the average electricity cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is $0.32. So, the cost to fully charge an ebike is:
0.504kWh x $0.32 = 16 cents or $0.16 per day
The annual cost to charge an ebike for a year in the UK will be:
$0.16 x 365 = $58.86 per year
In Germany, the average electricity cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is $0.44. So, the cost to fully charge an ebike will be:
0.504kWh x $0.44 = 22 cents or $0.22 per day
The annual cost to charge an ebike for a year in the Germany will be:
$0.22 x 365 = $80.94 per year
In France, the average electricity cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is $0.18. So, the cost to fully charge an ebike will be:
0.504kWh x $0.18 = 9 cents or $0.09 per day
The annual cost to charge an ebike for a year in the France will be:
$0.09 x 365 = $33.11 per year
In China, the average electricity cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is $0.07. So, the cost to fully charge an ebike will be:
0.504kWh x $0.07 = 3.5 cents or $0.035 per day
The annual cost to charge an ebike for a year in the China will be:
$0.035 x 365 = $12.87 per year
In Japan, the average electricity cost per kilowatt-hour (kWh) is $0.22. So, the cost to fully charge an ebike will be:
0.504kWh x $0.22 = 11 cents or $0.11 per day
The annual cost to charge an ebike for a year in the Japan will be:
$0.11 x 365 = $40.47 per year
How To Reduce the Cost of Charging Electric Bikes
It is an open secret now that electric bikes are cheaper to operate than other bikes. However, it is a good idea to reduce the cost of charging an electric bike because it will reduce your electricity bills. Here are some ways to reduce the cost of charging an ebike.
8 Ways to Reduce Your Electric Bike Charging Costs
You can reduce the charging cost of your ebike if you follow these 8 ways:
Maintain the Battery
You can maintain your ebike’s battery if you follow the best practices or guidance of the manufacturer for maintaining the battery. It keeps the performance of your battery at its peak, and it helps you cut down your charging costs.
Charge at Work or School
If you have access to an outlet at work or school, take advantage of it by charging your ebike during the day. In case your boss complains, then you can tell him it costs only 7 cents to fully charge the ebike’s battery.
Upgrade Your Battery
You should upgrade your battery from lead acid battery to lithium-ion battery if it is possible. Do not throw out your old battery or buy a new one because it can give you a few more miles from a single charge. Many ebike batteries can be upgraded, and you should upgrade yours too.
Use Public Charging Stations
Public charging stations are becoming more common, so take advantage of them when they are available. It will surprise you that using a public charging station will cost you less than charging your electric bike at home.
Implement Regenerative Braking
Regenerative braking can slightly reduce your overall charging cost. Studies show that an electric bike’s range increases up to 10% if you implement regenerative braking. It is an opportunity to save electricity cost.
Switch Electricity Provider
A good way to reduce your electricity cost is to switch to another electricity provider that offers lesser cost per unit. This will reduce the overall cost to charge your ebike’s battery.
Charge During Off-Peak Hours
If your local utility offers time-of-use (TOU) pricing, take advantage of it by charging your ebike during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper. Several electricity providers offer cheaper electricity rates during off-peak hours to encourage people to use less electricity during peak hours. In most places, off-peak hours are from 9pm to 7am. You can reduce your ebike’s battery charging cost if you charge your battery during this time.
Use Renewable Energy
You can reduce cost per charge if it is possible for you to use renewable energy. Solar chargers can be a great way to offset your charging costs, particularly if you live in an area with strong sun exposure. There are several renewable energy devices that are getting cheaper over time, and many homes use them to save electricity.
Conclusion
The average cost of charging an electric bike is about $0.14 per Kilowatt-hour (kWh). This means that it would cost you about $0.07 or 7 cents to charge a 0.504 kWh battery. Whether you live in a cheap country or an expensive one, the cost to charge your electric bike’s battery is much lower than other modes of travel.
You can charge your ebike hundreds of times for the cost of 1 gas tank. Gas powered vehicles produce tons of carbon dioxide each year. Over 10,000,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide will not enter our atmosphere every year if we replace gas powered vehicles with electric bikes. Therefore, charging an electric bike is not just cheaper, but it is also eco-friendly.
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