Free calculator
E-Bike & E-Scooter Commute Savings Calculator
Enter your commute and what you pay now. We compare it with the full cost of an e-bike or e-scooter, including the price spread over the years you keep it.
Full cost incl. depreciation ≈ $0.67/mi; fuel only ≈ $0.15/mi
Tyres, brake pads, a yearly service
Estimated results (estimates only; real-world results vary)
Saved per year
$1,181
$1,608 now vs $427 on the e-bike
Pays for itself in
12 months
purchase price ÷ monthly running saving
Electricity per year
$7
2,400 mi a year
CO₂ avoided per year
641 kg
vs an average petrol car
How it’s calculated
- Yearly distance = one-way × 2 × days per week × 48 weeks
- Current cost = distance × car cost per mile, or trips × fare
- E-ride cost = electricity + maintenance + purchase price ÷ years kept
- Electricity = distance × Wh per km × 1.15 ÷ 1,000 × price per kWh
- Payback = purchase price ÷ (monthly current cost − monthly running cost)
Assumptions
- 48 commuting weeks a year (holidays excluded).
- Energy use: 9 Wh/km for an e-bike and 13 Wh/km for an e-scooter, plus 15% charging losses.
- Car cost default is the full cost of driving (fuel, insurance, wear and depreciation) at about $0.67 per mile; use fuel only if you’d keep the car anyway.
- CO₂: 170 g/km for an average petrol car and 400 g/kWh for grid electricity.
- Ignores parking, tolls, theft and time, which often favour the e-ride further.
Estimates only. Results are approximations based on the assumptions above. Always check your manufacturer’s specifications and safety guidance.
Full cost vs fuel only
If switching lets you sell the car or skip a second one, compare with the full cost of driving. If the car stays, compare with fuel and parking only; the saving is smaller but still real.
Why payback is often fast
An e-bike costs a few dollars a year to charge. Most of the saving comes from not paying for fuel, parking or fares every working day.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to commute on an e-bike?
Electricity is usually under $20 a year for a daily commute. Add maintenance (tyres, brake pads, a service) and the purchase price spread over the years you keep it.
Is an e-bike cheaper than a car?
For most commutes under 10 miles, yes, by a wide margin, especially when you count insurance, parking and depreciation.
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