Electric bike range is how many miles one full charge carries you. On the Ecotric bikes we carry, the two listings that state a figure say up to 20 miles on pure electric, 36 miles with pedal assist (the 26 inch city bike) and up to 20+ miles (the Cheetah 26). Your own number depends on battery size, assist level, weight, hills, wind, tires, speed and temperature. Here is how to read the specs and make your own estimate.
For bike types and speed limits, see our electric bike classes guide.
Battery capacity: volts times amp hours equals watt hours
Listings give volts (V) and amp hours (Ah). Multiply them and you get watt hours (Wh), the amount of energy the pack stores. Bosch’s eBike battery guide says watt hours are “the actual working capacity of the battery and is relevant for the achievable range.” Anker SOLIX’s battery capacity guide uses the same formula: Wh = volts x amp hours.
- 36V x 10Ah = 360 Wh (Ecotric Starfish 20)
- 36V x 12.5Ah = 450 Wh (Ecotric Rocket, Cheetah 26 and 26 inch city bike)
- 48V x 15Ah = 720 Wh (Ecotric Fat 20 850C)
- 48V x 22.4Ah = about 1,075 Wh (Ecotric tricycle)
That is why a 48V 12.5Ah pack holds more energy than a 36V 12.5Ah pack even though the Ah number is the same.
Electric bike range on the bikes we carry
Battery specs come from each listing; Wh is our calculation. Range is shown only where the listing states one.
| Model | Battery | Computed Wh | Motor | Listed range | Listed price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecotric Starfish 20 folding | 36V 10Ah | 360 | 350W | Not listed | $799.99 |
| Ecotric 500W Dolphin folding fat tire | 36V 12Ah | 432 | 500W | Not listed | $939.99 |
| Ecotric 26 inch 350W city bike | 36V 12.5Ah | 450 | 350W | Up to 20 miles electric, 36 miles pedal assist | $739.99 |
| Ecotric Rocket fat tire | 36V 12.5Ah | 450 | 500W | Not listed | $1,199.99 |
| Ecotric Cheetah 26 fat tire | 36V 12.5Ah | 450 | 500W | Up to 20+ miles | $1,059.00 |
| Ecotric Fat 20 48V folding | 48V 12.5Ah | 600 | Not listed | Not listed | $969.99 |
| Ecotric Fat 20 850C folding | 48V 15Ah | 720 | Not listed | Not listed | $1,299.99 |
| Ecotric Explorer 26 48V | 48V 13Ah | 624 | 750W | Not listed | $1,569.00 |
| Ecotric 48V fat tire tricycle | 48V 22.4Ah | 1,075 | 750W | Not listed | $2,599.00 |
Prices are as listed at writing and can change. Most listings give a 5 to 8 hour charge time (6 to 8 hours on the tricycle). See the full lineup on our Ecotric brand page.
48v ebike range: what the extra volts buy
A 48V pack stores more energy at the same Ah, but 48V bikes often pair it with a bigger motor and fat tires that use more energy per mile. The Explorer 26 has 624 Wh but drives a 750W motor, so its range may land closer to a 36V bike than the Wh number suggests. The tricycle’s 1,075 Wh pack is the largest in our lineup.
Why rated range is a best case
A listed range reflects favorable conditions. Ecotric’s Starfish listing says it directly: “All Range Estimates Are Contingent Upon Rider And Towing Weight, Wind Speed And Terrain.” Bosch’s battery guide shows the same battery covering far more miles in Eco mode than in Turbo mode, and its online range calculator asks for assist mode, average speed, total weight, terrain, wind, tire tread and season before it gives a number. Treat a listed figure as the top of what you will see.
What cuts ebike battery range
- Throttle vs pedal assist. The 26 inch city bike listing shows the gap: up to 20 miles on pure electric versus 36 miles with pedal assist. Higher assist levels and throttle only riding draw the most power.
- Rider and cargo weight. Heavier riders and loaded racks or baskets take more energy to move at the same speed.
- Hills. Climbing uses far more energy than riding on flat ground.
- Wind. Headwinds raise energy use.
- Tire width and pressure. Wide, knobby or under inflated tires add rolling resistance. Keep tires at the pressure printed on the sidewall.
- Speed. Faster riding takes more power per mile.
- Cold temperature. Bosch notes that a cold battery delivers less power.
How to estimate ebike battery range
The simple method is Wh divided by Wh per mile. E-bike maker Ride1Up gives these rough consumption figures in its range guide: about 15 to 20 Wh per mile for 250W bikes, 20 to 25 Wh per mile for 500W bikes, and around 30 Wh per mile or more for 750W and higher. Applied to our listings, these are estimates only, not ratings:
- 450 Wh Cheetah 26 or Rocket (500W): 450 divided by 20 to 25 is about 18 to 22 miles, which lines up with the Cheetah’s listed 20+ miles.
- 624 Wh Explorer 26 (750W): 624 divided by 30 is about 21 miles or less.
- 1,075 Wh tricycle (750W): 1,075 divided by 30 is about 36 miles or less.
Better still, track the miles you cover per full charge for a few weeks and divide the battery Wh by that distance to get your own Wh per mile.
Battery care that protects range
Lithium batteries lose capacity with age and use. The listings rate most of these packs at 400 to 600 charge cycles, and the Explorer 26 at 1,000 cycles. Always follow the charging instructions in your bike’s manual and use only the charger made for that battery. Bosch’s battery guide adds these general rules for lithium e-bike batteries:
- Let the battery cool and check it for damage before charging.
- Charge at 32°F to 104°F, in a dry spot with a smoke detector, away from flammable materials and not in an exit path.
- Do not leave a charging battery unattended, and unplug the charger when done.
- Only charge to full when you need the full range, and avoid running the battery completely empty.
- For storage, keep it at 30 to 60 percent charge, ideally at room temperature, and never below 14°F or above 140°F.
- Never open, repair or rebuild a damaged pack. Recycle it instead of throwing it away.
Bosch also says it certifies its whole e-bike electrical system to UL 2849 and its batteries to UL 2271. Among our listings, the Rocket’s title says “UL Certified” but does not name the standard, so ask us if that matters to you.
Is a spare battery worth it?
If your ride is longer than your estimated range, a second battery doubles your energy without a 5 to 8 hour wait. Only use a spare made for your exact model and charger; Bosch warns against used batteries of unknown history. Call us to check availability for your bike. For a similar look at replacement packs on a different machine, see our MotoTec 72V battery replacement guide, and for dirt bike run times see the battery section of our electric dirt bike size chart. Our portable power station buying guide explains how Wh ratings work there too.
Frequently asked questions
What is a typical electric bike range?
On our 36V Ecotric listings that state one, up to 20 miles on pure electric and up to 36 miles with pedal assist. Real range depends on how and where you ride.
How do I calculate ebike battery range?
Multiply volts by amp hours to get Wh, then divide by your Wh per mile. Ride1Up’s rough guide is 15 to 20 Wh per mile for 250W bikes, 20 to 25 for 500W, and 30 or more for 750W. Treat the result as an estimate.
What is the range of a 48v ebike?
None of our 48V Ecotric listings state a rated range. Using Ride1Up’s figure of about 30 Wh per mile for 750W bikes, the 624 Wh Explorer 26 works out to about 21 miles and the 1,075 Wh tricycle to about 36 miles. Both are estimates, not ratings.
Does cold weather reduce e-bike range?
Yes. Bosch notes that a cold battery delivers less power. Charge and store it at the temperatures in your manual and let it warm to room temperature before riding.
Questions about a specific bike’s battery or a spare pack? Call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM PST. Orders of $999 or more ship free by freight, and orders below that ship for a $200 flat rate. See our return and refund policy before you buy.
