How Much Do Electric Bikes Cost? (12 Helpful Examples)

Electric bikes are becoming increasingly popular. They make riding easier and faster, and they are more friendly to the environment.

But how much will a new electric bike set you back?

In this article, we take a closer look at the price of electric bikes so that you know how to plan your budget.

Here’s How Much Electric Bikes Cost:

Electric bikes range in price from under $900 to over $4,000. Premium-quality bikes can sell for $8,000. Electric bikes that work for most people cost around $2,500. Many people have been satisfied with their electric bikes purchased from Walmart and Costco. Prices, in general, are not coming down.

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Electric Bikes Under $1,000

Several different brands come in at under $1,000.

Making it onto several featured lists of affordable electric bikes is the Lectric XP Lite folding commuting bike. It comes in at $799.

If you are looking for an affordable and portable bike, there is an entire sub-set of folding electric bikes.

Sometimes, you can find electric bikes for under $500 at Walmart or other stores if they are on sale.

Electric Bikes costing $1,000-$2,500

You will find a little more variety in this price range.

Our top picks, with excellent customer reviews, in the $1,000-$2,500 range are:

Roadster V2 $1,145 – minimalist design, lightweight and straightforward to put together.
Gazelle Tour Populair from $1,499 upright bike – best suited for suburban or city cruising.
RadCity 5 Plus Electric Commuter Bike $1,999 – a great option for daily commuting.
Greenpath Addmotor M-65X Herotan $2,399 – a bike suited for all terrains with fat tires.

Electric Bikes costing $2,500-$4,000

On our list of electric bikes costing between $2,500 and $4,000 are:

Tref FX+2 $2,499 – designed for city riding, the bike is light and comes with pedal assist for climbing hills.
Propel Tern Quick Haul, from $2,999 – a compact bike that can carry cargo. At a fee, you can add a child’s seat at the back of the bike.
Gazelle Arroyo C7 HMB Elit, from $3,399 – good for commuting and more adventurous riding.

Electric Bikes costing $4,000+

If you’re willing to spend a little more on bikes considered to be premium quality, here are some options:

Specialized Turbo Vado, $4,000 – manufactured in California, this alloy-framed bike is rated as one of the best high-performance e-bikes for commuting or working.
Bull’s Alpine Hawk Evo Electric road bike $5,799.00 – this is best suited for road racing; it has a light frame but allows the rider to use their legs still.

While the examples above are pretty pricey, for the sake of comparison, you need to know that some electric bikes go over the $8,000 mark.

Please also check out our article about why so few electric bikes are made in America.

How Much Should you Pay for a High-Quality Electric Bike?

On average, a high-quality electric bike that works for most people will cost around $2,500.

But, if you’re after a premium electric bike with added features or a bike specialized for a specific type of riding, this figure can go up to $4000 or more.

It’s worth keeping in mind that price point and quality or usability are not necessarily synonymous.

We recommend reading customer reviews and taking bikes for test rides when deciding which electric bike is best for your lifestyle and budget.

When looking for a high-quality electric bike, here are some things you need to look out for:

Battery brand
Power
Range
Battery charging time
Motor type
Pedal assist vs. a full electric
Frame and material
Maximum supported weight

Remember that occasionally your electric bike may need a service and a part replaced in the worst-case scenario.

These extra expenses are worth considering when considering which electric bike to purchase.

The price of high-quality electric bikes may differ depending on the class of electric bikes.

You can find pretty affordable Class 1, 2, and 3 electric bikes.

Here’s a breakdown of bike classes:

Class 1:

A maximum speed of 20mph
Pedal Assist (Electric motor without throttle that works when the rider is pedaling)

Class 2:

A maximum speed of 20 mph with a throttle
Pedal Assist

Class 3:

A maximum speed of 28mph
Pedal Assist only
Restricted from some paths and trails because of its high power

Most riders will be happy with a Class 1 electric bike. In general, they suit the needs of most riders.

And for the most part, they meet all the regulations for legal road use.

Are Prices on Electric Bikes Coming Down?

In the past couple of years, many e-bike companies have actually been slowly increasing the price of electric bikes.

Even though more people are interested in buying electric bikes and more models are available on the market, this hasn’t really resulted in decreased prices. It seems that, for the most part, the price of electric bikes is relatively stable at the moment.

However, there are often sales and discounts at various online stores. It’s definitely worth looking out for these as you can often save a good couple of hundred dollars.

What’s the Difference Between High-end and Low-end Models?

You need to consider what electric bike style you want and your primary purpose. Sometimes, a high-end bike isn’t necessarily the best choice for you.

A low-end electric bike will usually be made from cheap material, and parts will, unfortunately, wear down quickly, meaning you’ll need to buy replacement parts. More expensive bikes often come with parts that can be serviced.

So, the lifespan of premium parts is usually longer.

Cheaper electric bikes are mass-produced, which often lowers the build’s quality, whereas the parts of high-end bikes are often assembled individually.

Low-end bikes tend to be “stock standard”–what you see on the shelf or catalog is all the bike offers. They usually have fewer features than expensive bikes.

On the other hand, high-end premium electric bikes are usually more customizable. Riders can choose different accessories or parts that make the bike more suitable for various uses, terrains, or rider sizes/preferences.

According to OHM.com, more expensive electric bikes

“also tend to have more features that can make your ride safer and more comfortable, like suspension systems to absorb bumps in the road and better brakes for stopping power.”

Doing your homework on different bike brands and models is always wise. You must consider the reputation of the manufacturer and customer reviews.

Take into account the frame, components, and features of the electric bike.

Using cheaper parts, while more affordable in the short term, can end up costing you far more money and wasted time in the long run.

Keep in mind that fixing or replacing parts of an electric bike can take a few days or even a couple of weeks if parts need to be ordered in. Fixing an electric bike can be a more technical and time-consuming exercise than repairing a traditional bicycle.

However, the bottom line is that you consider your needs and budget. What do you intend on using the bike for?

If your primary use is getting from your house to your job a few miles away on a flat road, a low-end bike will probably work absolutely fine.

However, if you are a more adventurous rider and plan on using your bike for very unique or specific reasons, you’ll probably want to spend a bit more time considering the bike’s:

Frame
Brakes
Drivetrain
Suspension
Motor
Battery quality

Are Electric Bikes from Costco and Walmart Any Good?

There are many different stores where you can buy electric bikes. You can head into a physical store to see and feel the bike and possibly even give it a test ride.

Or, you can browse online and purchase directly from an online store.

Nowadays, electric bikes are becoming more accessible. You can also buy electric bikes from large stores like Costo and Walmart.

Here’s what you need to know about Costo electric bikes:

At Costco, you’ll find that electric bikes are more a little more expensive than at Walmart, and there isn’t as wide a selection. Though, we can’t say for certain if the price marks will be the same when you visit the stores.

Costco has a 60-day return policy. Customers can return damaged parts or even return an electric bike if they feel they have made the wrong decision. Costo offers up to 1-year warranties on their electric bikes.

With over 600 customer reviews, the SONDORS Smart Step LTD Electric Bike has been a popular choice at Walmart. At the time of writing, this electric bike is selling for $1,499.99 online.

This folding bike with pedal assist makes it a good choice for city and suburban commuting.

The majority of customers gave this bike a 5-star review. However, there were just over 40 ratings of just one star.

Here’s what reviewers had to say:

“Since 2015, I’ve purchased two more and the whole family really enjoys them”
“The bike is nice in most aspects. But it has very little power”
“Ride is great, easy to use, display is easy to read. Love the folding option to transport in car”
“The bike is tall and sturdy and beautiful. I am nearly six feet tall and it is perfect fit for me”
“The back brakes failed, and the front brakes shifted the front tire to the left. The chain easily comes off, too”

Here’s what you need to know about Walmart electric bikes:

You will often find the cheapest electric bikes at Walmart and a fairly large selection. However, some customers have said that repairing through Walmart can take a very long time.

Walmart customers need to request a “return label”. After receiving this and printing it, you’ll have to ship it to Walmart. You will need to check the specific return policy and warranty provision for different models.

Making it onto Walmart’s best-seller list is the VIVI 26″ 4.0 Fat Tire Electric Bike for Adults.

This bike is perfect for offroad terrain but also works well as a commuter bike.

The bike has a 4.7 star rating on Walmart’s online store. Reviews show that, for the most part, customers are more than satisfied with what the bike offers at this price point.

At the time of writing, this electric bike sells for $849,99 – down from $1,399.99.

According to customer reviews, this bike offers a smooth ride in snowy, wet conditions and has excellent power when mountain biking.

However, a handful of reviews stated that the bike was bent and damaged in places upon delivery.

Please also read my blog about common problems with electric bikes.