The cheapest transport

The cheapest transport

Mar 04, 2023David Fenn

To charge a 48-volt 17 (816wh) amp hour battery, which can travel 20 miles on a full charge, requires 1 kilowatt-hour (KWH) of electricity at a cost of around 34.04p per KWH.

This means the cost of electricity to travel 1 mile on an e-bike is around 1.7p.
To completely use and recharge your battery everyday (20 miles) for a year would cost under £150.
And to travel the circumference of the earth (24,901 miles) would cost under £450.

Now, let's compare this to the cost of using public transportation. On average, a bus ticket in the UK costs around £2.50 per trip. Assuming a commuter travels 10 miles each way, five days a week, the cost of using public transportation can add up to £2,500 per year. Similarly, a train ticket can cost anywhere from a few pounds to over £50 per ticket depending on the distance and time of travel.

Finally, let's consider the cost of using a taxi or ride-hailing service like Uber. In the UK, the average cost of a taxi ride is around £3 per mile, while the cost of an Uber ride can vary widely depending on location, time of day, and demand. Assuming a commuter travels 10 miles each way, five days a week, the cost of using a taxi or ride-hailing service can add up to around £7,800 per year.

In conclusion, using an e-bike is a significantly cheaper way to get around compared to other forms of public transportation like buses, trains, taxis, or ride-hailing services. Although the initial purchase price of an e-bike may be higher, the low cost of electricity to travel each mile and the minimal maintenance cost make e-bikes an attractive option for commuters. Additionally, e-bikes can provide health benefits and reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. As more people in the UK become aware of the cost savings and environmental benefits of e-bikes, we can expect to see even more people using them for their daily commutes.

 

UK cost per KWH

The current average cost per KWH of electric in the UK is 34.04p a dramatic increase from the start of the year at 20.1p.

From wall to battery

"Unlike conventionally fueled vehicles, electric vehicles experience a loss of energy during “refueling,” with an energy loss of about 16% from the wall power to the battery during charging."

Therefore 1KWH or 34.38p can fully charge a 48v17ah battery (816WH)

Battery range

48v17ah battery will last 20-80 miles depending on pedal assist level and based on 70kg rider, for this article we used pure electric to compare.

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