Can an Ebike Replace a Car? What to Expect if You Do

Ebike heading off down a path

Have you ever been stuck in traffic while driving to work and felt like you’re burning money and hurting the environment as gas just spews from your car? Let me tell you about another form of travel that will save you money, keep you healthy, and help protect the environment!

An ebike is a great way to replace a car. If your trips are generally 20 miles or less you can save a lot of money, be healthier, and help the environment by replacing your car with an ebike.

Over the last few years, ebikes have greatly increased the amount of range they can provide and or are now able to easily replace car trips up 20 miles long or longer. (for longer rides, I would bring your charger with you and plan to recharge your bike before heading home)

Riding a bicycle has always been an alternative to driving a car, but for most of us, it is simply not a viable option. Riding a bike is a lot of work and if you also have to carry your belongings with you, even the smallest hill can seem like a mountain.

Electric bikes still allow you to pedal and get the health benefits of bike riding but with the motor assisting you, you can climb hills like a pro cyclist and maintain a much higher average speed, without feeling destroyed or getting all sweaty.

For the last 2 years, I have personally used my ebike as my main form of transportation and I can tell you, it has changed my life! Keep reading and I will explain how riding an ebike to replace your car can change your life as well.

How is an ebike better than a car?

Modern electric bikes are amazing machines! Ebikes have many benefits that you can not get when you are driving around all the time. Such as – 

  • Riding an ebike for commuting is a great way to integrate exercise into your daily routine
  • You can always ride up to the stoplight and skip the line of cars
  • My morning commute gives me more energy for the day
  • Riding into work in the morning helps clear my mind
  • Knowing that you are lowering your carbon footprint is always a good thing
  • Ebiking is fun

If you begin to replace car trips regularly, your ebike can pay for itself!

As you can see, there are many upsides to riding an ebike. It can be a little daunting to make such a big change in your life, but I promise you, just try it out once a week and you will soon start riding more and more.

Should you buy an ebike instead of a car? 

In my experience, the ideal commute length for an ebike is under 20 miles. If you have a commute that is 20 miles or less, I would buy an ebike instead of a car.

If you are lucky enough to live in an area with decent weather and you don’t need to carry a truckload of stuff with you to work, then ebiking to work is a no-brainer.

You also do not need a license, registration, or insurance to ride an ebike in most states.

Check out my article on where you can ride an electric bike to find out what your state regulations are.

Factors to consider when replacing a car with an ebike

  • Your local weather (heavy rain and snow will be a problem)
  • How far you need to travel (under 20 miles is best)
  • What your ride will be like (do you have a safe bike lane or path)

If you can check these boxes, then you have a good chance that an ebike can work for you.

What to expect when riding an ebike instead of driving a car

Ebikes are a lot easier to ride than regular bikes. So if you haven’t tried one before, it is a great time to test ride one locally or rent one for a couple of hours.

If you want to replace your car with an ebike you will need to be able to carry what you need on your bike. Be sure to have a rack and bags so that you can go to the grocery store and be able to carry what you need to work or the gym.

When you ride an ebike you are exposed to the elements. On nice, warm days all you may need to do is apply some sunscreen and off you go. When the temperatures start to drop you want to be sure you have the right clothing for cold winters. (layers are crucial here!)

I like to make sure I have my jacket, gloves, beanie or wool hat, thermal layers, and rain gear, easily accessible in the morning so I’m ready for whatever the day looks like.

Can an Ebike Pull a Trailer?

Oh yes, ebikes can pull trailers! If you need to bring a lot of stuff along with you, there are many bike trailers for just about any need. 

Surly big easy towing a trailer
Photo Courtesy of Surly

I have a friend that is setting up a cargo-style ebike and a trailer so that he can use his ebike for his lawn care business. Now, that’s pretty amazing!

Having an electric motor to help assist you whenever you need it makes towing a trailer behind super easy. You won’t even know it’s there unless it’s piled up with bricks. Just know that if you are towing a heavy trailer you will get less range on your bike. Anytime you have to carry a lot of extra weight it is good to test your range so you know what to expect.

Can I carry my kids on an ebike?

There are many options for cargo-style ebikes that you can attach child carriers to and be able to ride around with 2 kids on the back.

Just last year I sold a Surly Big Easy (electric cargo bike) to a customer and we set him up with what Surly calls the “Kid Corral” and now he takes his kids to school on his ebike.

Just yesterday I was out for a ride and saw a couple of different sets of parents, at different parks, playing with their kids and their electric bikes were nearby with child seats on them. The road to the park with their kids, how cool is that!

Surly Big Easy with kids on the back
Photo courtesy of Surly

As I mentioned before, ebikes are a great way to tow a trailer and there are lots of child trailers available. (some even double as strollers) These types of trailers will have covers on them that can help block the sun or rain and keep your kids nice and cozy.

Are ebike safer than cars?

As long you are familiar with your ebike and what kind of riding you will be doing, then I think ebikes can be safer than cars.

I feel a lot more freedom when I’m riding my ebike than when I have to drive. We get so accustomed to driving that we can sometimes forget how much we rely on the ability of other drivers for our own safety.

Always wear a helmet and bright colors, use lights at night, and just be very alert as to what you are doing, then you will find ebiking to very safe experience.

One of the great things about riding an ebike is that you can take a much safer route, even if it’s the longer route, to get to where you are going. This will take some exploration on your part, but that is part of the fun of ebikes.

I almost always take a far longer route to work in the morning, just to get a little more exercise, and because it’s a much more peaceful route than the most direct way.

Should you replace your car with an ebike?

This is going to be completely up to you. I would start with just replacing some of your car trips at first. As you begin to use your ebike for more and more of your everyday travel you will gain more confidence and become more aware of your city or town.

You will begin to find different paths and back streets that you never knew existed. This will become your own personal network of special routes and you experience freedom like no other.

If you are a stats nerd like me, you can keep track of all the money you are saving and have a celebration when you have saved enough on gas and other travel expenses that you paid for your ebike. It can be done!

You will also notice your waistline shrinking and have a lot more energy.

It may be best to keep your car for times when the weather turns, but I try to make sure never to waste a day of good riding weather.

At the End of the Day

For me, riding an ebike instead of driving all the time has given me the confidence to make the world my playground.

Saving money and living a healthy lifestyle have really just secondary benefits to riding everywhere.

By sticking to ebiking regularly I have been able to lose 70lbs, get back into the shape I was in in high school, and last year I completed my first ultra-endurance race! (350 miles in less than 4 days on a non-electric bike)

It just starts with the willingness to try something new. To know that you will be going green, reducing your stress, and finally getting some car independence, all while saving money. That sounds pretty good to me!

Stay safe out there and as always Keep Riding!