When we think of the term “electric vehicles,” we generally conjure up mental images of Teslas or other headline-grabbing electric cars. But a new German study from Deloitte shows that it’s actually electric bicycles that are leading the shift toward electric transportation.
The study was conducted by Deloitte last month in Germany, where 1,008 respondents provided feedback about whether or not they use electric transportation and, if so, which type.
The largest portion of respondents by far answered that they use an electric bicycle, with 18% of the survey sample commuting by e-bike.
The next most common categories were electric cars (7%), electric scooters (7%), electric mopeds (3%), electric motorcycles (2%), and electric micro-mobiles (1%).
Interestingly, the study suggests that one reason for the high use of electric bicycles may be the higher perceived attractiveness of the electric two-wheelers.
To determine the attractiveness of each form of electric vehicle, the study asked respondents to score the attractiveness of various modes of electric transportation on a scale of 1 (very unattractive) to 4 (very attractive).
Again, electric bicycles came out on top. E-bikes scored an average ranking of 2.7, beating out electric cars (2.6), electric scooters (2.2), electric mopeds (2.2), electric motorcycles (2.2), and electric micro-mobiles (1.9).
The study drilled down further to determine why respondents elected to rank certain vehicles with the highest attractiveness. For electric bicycles, the leading attributes included practicability (62%), alternative to other vehicles (46%), sustainability (41%), and fun (37%).
A comparison of the results of the attractiveness survey can be seen below.
The results of the study seem to align with previous reports we’ve seen that indicate an accelerated adoption level of electric bikes.
The United Kingdom Bicycle Association recently reported that 160,000 electric bikes were sold in the UK in 2020. The group noted that with 108,000 electric car sales in the UK during the same period, e-bikes handily outsold larger four-wheeled EVs.
According to data released by the LEVA, the US saw nearly 790,000 electric bike imports in 2021. That marks a 70% increase from the 463,000 imports in 2020. Compared to the 790,000 e-bike imports in 2021, that same year saw Americans purchase 652,000 electric cars and plug-in hybrids, according to BloombergNEF.
The US’s electric bike boom has been spurred by large companies such as Rad Power Bikes, which are selling hundreds of thousands of value-priced electric bikes per year. In addition, new electric bike startups have entered the market and helped drive down prices. Compared to Europe, where a premium electric bike is often priced at between the US equivalent of $3,000 to $6,000, the US has many more value-oriented e-bike options, with many starting at or below $1,000.
However, higher prices for e-bikes in Europe don’t appear to have slowed down sales on the continent. E-bike sales may have surpassed electric car sales in the US, but in Europe, they’re on track to surpass the sales of all cars — not just electric cars — later this decade.
And for many city residents, that day couldn’t come sooner. In addition to providing a more affordable and more efficient form of alternative transportation for riders, electric bikes actually help improve cities for everyone. While e-bike riders can directly benefit from lower transportation costs, quicker commute times, and free parking, more e-bikes on the streets means fewer cars. And fewer cars means less traffic.
E-bikes are widely seen as one of the best ways to reduce urban traffic, especially in cities without effective public transit systems. Even in cities with solid public transit, e-bikes are often more convenient alternatives as they allow riders to commute on their own schedules and without route constraints.
While electric bicycles certainly can’t replace all car trips, the growing number of e-bike styles and the emphasis on e-bike utility mean that a growing number of families are trading a second car for an electric bicycle.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
E-Bikes are the largest growing transportation sector in America. Hear from Sacramento's largest e-bike distributor why they're so popular.
Example video title will go here for this video
Example video title will go here for this video
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The fastest growing sector of the electric vehicle economy in America isn’t a part of Tesla, isn't the new electric Ford Mustang, nor is it any of the new electric car brands you’ve never heard of...
Surprisingly, it’s electric bikes. E-bikes as they’re now called are outselling their four-wheel counterparts 2:1. In fact, eBikes sold over 500,000 units in America in 2021 and are expected to gain 13% by the end of 2022.
There’s a joke in the industry: “How do you know someone owns an eBike?” ... “They’ll tell you!”
Word of mouth is strong in the eBike community.
Doug Stabler, owner of ATV Wholesale in Sacramento began an off-road vehicle company decades ago. About five years ago, he took a gamble on eBikes becoming the next big thing.
He was right.
“We sold a few, but never thought we’d see the numbers that hit with the pandemic. Things shifted and we’d have a line ready to buy as we opened. The boom was on," he said.
He points out there’s no slowing down and in fact another cause and effect hit the market: the fuel price surge.
“We’ve had a steady stream each day of people walking in the door saying they’re tired of paying over $200 a week for fuel, and they’ve done the research, they know eBikes charge to full for pennies," said Stabler.
Doug is a Navy veteran and proud to have his two veteran sons managing the business. His son Isaac points out that eBikes attract a multi-generation crowd.
“We have younger people my age enjoying them for getting around midtown, or even work and school; but also aging parents and grandparents as eBikes are great for people who have had hip or knee surgeries," said Stabler.
The average entry level E-bike costs around $1,500 and a nicely equipped one is near $2,000. For those wanting turbo power and super long range, there are makes and models in the $5,000-10,000 range.
Doug says he and his family are eBike riders and fans, but want to remind all...
“With more riders, there are more accidents. Helmets, especially if you’re riding at those high speeds, gloves, and glasses. No one enjoys a bug in the eye at 30 mph!"
WATCH ON ABC10: California poised to phase out sale of new gas-powered cars
/