The truth about electrically assisted bikes
07/10/2026E-bike speed limit: is 25 km/h still relevant?
07/10/2026
Purchase price, energy consumption, maintenance cost… The electric bike is an economical means of transport on every count. Moreover, using one requires neither insurance nor a driving licence.
Purchase price of an EAB
The purchase price of an electrically assisted bike (EAB) is certainly higher than that of a traditional bike. However, this two-wheeler is much more practical, comfortable and easy to handle. The electric bike is also a long-term investment.Used every day to get to work and ride around town, it saves you a lot of money on petrol, parking, insurance and maintenance compared with a car.
Prices of electric bikes vary according to the brand, the model and the quality. Some top-of-the-range e-bikes cost around €3,000. However, you can buy a good quality electric bike on a budget of €800 to €1,800.
If you own a sturdy classic bike, you can still turn it into an EAB by fitting an electric motor and a rechargeable battery. The purchase price of an electric bike motorisation kit is between €200 and €300. That of the battery is between €500 and €700. Converting your own bike will cost you much less than buying a new EAB.
Energy consumption of an EAB
An electric bike consumes 8 times less energy than a scooter and 70 times less than a car. For a 100 km journey, an EAB needs just 1 kWh.
The full recharge of the electric bike battery costs about €0.043. With a 60 km range, the battery recharge cost is estimated at €0.72 for a 1,000 km journey.
Maintenance cost of an EAB
To ride safely and keep your electric bike working perfectly, it is advisable to have it serviced at least once or twice a year. During servicing, the wear of the brakes and tyres must be checked. On average, an EAB service costs €35.
