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How Far Can You Go On That eBike?
So you’re eyeing a sweet e-bike and wondering:
"How far can this thing actually go?"
Great question. The answer?
It depends on your battery, your terrain... and maybe how many donuts you had for breakfast.
Let’s break it down in a way that Dropsy (our dramatic blue schnauzer) thinks about it...
Step 1: Watt-Hours Are the Real MVP
You’ll hear people talk about Amp-hours (Ah) — but don’t stop there. It’s only half the story.
Think of Ah as the snack size of your battery...
…but if you want to know how much energy your e-bike is really packin’, you need Watt-hours (Wh) — the full lunchbox.
Fancy-Sounding Formula:
Watt-hours (Wh) = Voltage (V) × Amp-hours (Ah)
Example:
If your bike has a 48V – 10Ah battery, you get:
48 × 10 = 480Wh
Boom. That’s your energy tank.
Step 2: How Fast You Burn That Energy
Now that you know how many snacks your battery packed…
How fast will your e-bike eat them?
It depends on:
- Terrain (flats vs. hills)
- Rider weight (and gear)
- Speed
- Pedal assist level
- And whether or not you’re towing a schnauzer in a basket 🐶
Here’s a rough idea of energy use per mile:
Terrain Approx:
Use Flat roads (ideal) 10 Wh/mile
Mixed terrain 15–20 Wh/mile
Hilly rides 20–25 Wh/mile
Mountain biking 25–30 Wh/mile
So if you’re cruising casually on flat ground, you’ll go farther.
If you're charging up hills like a caffeinated goat, not so much.
Step 3: The Magic Math – Estimating Range
To put it all together.
Simple Formula:
Range (miles) = Battery Capacity (Wh) ÷ Energy Use (Wh per mile)
Example:
You’ve got a 480Wh battery and you ride mixed terrain at ~20 Wh/mile.
480 ÷ 20 = 24 miles of range.
Easy math, no sweat (unless you forget to charge).
What Else Messes With Your Range?
Even if the numbers look good, the real world throws a few curveballs:
Weight – More weight = more power needed
Hills – Inclines drain batteries fast
Speed – Faster = more wind resistance = less range
Pedal Assist – High boost? Say goodbye to miles
Stop-and-Go – Braking and accelerating wastes energy
Cold Weather – Batteries don’t like to shiver
Tire Pressure – Low pressure = more drag
Motor Efficiency – Some motors sip power, others chug it
Battery Age – Older batteries = shorter rides
