E-bike range by battery size
Divide watt-hours by your consumption in Wh per mile. Manufacturer maximum range claims across our index work out to a median of 9.0 Wh per mile; their minimum claims to 19.3 Wh per mile.
Estimated range in milesRange = Wh ÷ Wh per mile. Cold weather, headwind, rider weight over 200 lb and knobby tires push you toward the right-hand columns.
| Battery | Eco assist (10 Wh/mi) | Moderate assist (15 Wh/mi) | High assist (20 Wh/mi) | Throttle only (25 Wh/mi) | Cargo or hills (30 Wh/mi) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 250 Wh | 25 mi | 17 mi | 13 mi | 10 mi | 8 mi |
| 360 Wh | 36 mi | 24 mi | 18 mi | 14 mi | 12 mi |
| 400 Wh | 40 mi | 27 mi | 20 mi | 16 mi | 13 mi |
| 500 Wh | 50 mi | 33 mi | 25 mi | 20 mi | 17 mi |
| 576 Wh | 58 mi | 38 mi | 29 mi | 23 mi | 19 mi |
| 672 Wh | 67 mi | 45 mi | 34 mi | 27 mi | 22 mi |
| 720 Wh | 72 mi | 48 mi | 36 mi | 29 mi | 24 mi |
| 840 Wh | 84 mi | 56 mi | 42 mi | 34 mi | 28 mi |
| 960 Wh | 96 mi | 64 mi | 48 mi | 38 mi | 32 mi |
| 1200 Wh | 120 mi | 80 mi | 60 mi | 48 mi | 40 mi |
| 1440 Wh | 144 mi | 96 mi | 72 mi | 58 mi | 48 mi |
What changes consumption
Factors and their typical effect
| Factor | Effect on Wh per mile | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Assist level | 2× to 3× between eco and max | Largest single factor |
| Throttle use | +30 to 60% | No pedaling input |
| Speed | +40% from 15 to 20 mph | Air drag rises with the square of speed |
| Hills | +50 to 100% on climbs | Partly recovered on descents only with regen |
| Rider + cargo weight | +10% per 50 lb | Mostly on climbs and starts |
| Temperature | -10 to 30% below 40°F | Cells deliver less; warms up as you ride |
| Tire pressure | +10 to 15% if 15 psi low | Cheapest fix |
| Battery age | -20 to 30% after 500 cycles | Capacity fade, not efficiency |
Frequently asked questions
How far does a 48V 14Ah battery go?
A 48V 14Ah pack holds 672 Wh: about 67 miles in eco, 45 at moderate assist, 34 at high assist and 27 on throttle alone.
How far does a 500 Wh battery go?
About 50 miles in eco, 33 at moderate assist, 25 at high assist and 20 on throttle.
Why is my real range lower than the manufacturer claim?
Claims use the lowest assist level, a light rider, flat ground and warm weather. Expect the middle of the table above in everyday use.