Electric car vs gas car
See if an electric car saves you money. Enter your miles, gas price and electric rate to get yearly savings and payback time. Free, no sign-up.
5-year net e-bike savings
+$6,363
5-year e-bike net cost ($2,910) vs driving/transit ($9,274)Example calculationYes, commuting by e-bike pays for itself and saves thousands
Riding 2,208 commute miles/yr (184 days/yr) avoids $1,855/yr in car mileage, parking, and fixed costs against $262/yr in e-bike tune-ups, charging, and battery wear. Your $2,050 net upfront setup pays back in 15.4 months and nets +$6,363 over 5 years.
Payback period
15.4 mos
$2,050 upfront at +$1,593/yr netAnnual net savings
+$1,593/yr
$1,855 saved vs $262 e-bike opsAnnual miles replaced
2,208 mi/yr
184 commute days/yr (11,040 mi in 5 yrs)Net upfront cost
$2,050
$1,800 bike + $250 gear - $0 rebateSide-by-side 5-year commuting cost breakdown
| Commuting cost item (5-year total) | Driving / transit | E-bike commute |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront e-bike purchase + helmet/lock/gear minus rebate | $0 | $2,050 |
| 5-year car fuel, oil, tires & mileage wear (11,040 mi at $0.34/mi) | $3,754 | $0 |
| 5-year workplace parking & tolls (920 days at $6/day) | $5,520 | $0 |
| 5-year transit pass or avoided 2nd-car insurance/registration ($0/mo) | $0 | $0 |
| 5-year e-bike tune-ups, brake pads, chains, tires & charging electricity | $0 | $810 |
| 5-year replacement battery pack reserve | $0 | $500 |
| 5-year e-bike resale value credit | $0 | -$450 |
| Total 5-year net commuting cost | $9,274 | $2,910 |
Cumulative commuting cost over 5 years
See when cumulative driving or transit expenses overtake the upfront e-bike purchase and annual maintenance:
| Year | Cumulative miles | Driving / transit cumulative | E-bike cumulative cost | Cumulative net savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 2,208 mi | $1,855 | $2,312 | -$457 |
| Year 2 | 4,416 mi | $3,709 | $2,574 | +$1,135 |
| Year 3 | 6,624 mi | $5,564 | $2,836 | +$2,728 |
| Year 4 | 8,832 mi | $7,419 | $3,098 | +$4,321 |
| Year 5 (incl. resale) | 11,040 mi | $9,274 | $2,910 | +$6,363 |
How this calculator works
Whether a commuter e-bike pays off depends on what it replaces. If you keep your car in the driveway and only save gasoline ($0.12 to $0.16/mile) plus marginal tire, brake, and mileage-driven depreciation ($0.15 to $0.20/mile), each 12-mile round-trip bike commute saves roughly $4.08. Add even modest paid workplace parking ($6 to $12/day) or the ability to drop a second household car ($150 to $300/month in insurance and registration), and an e-bike pays for itself in well under two years.
Realistic e-bike maintenance and battery depreciation
Unlike a pedal bike used on occasional weekends, a daily commuter e-bike is heavier and moves at 20 to 28 mph, which wears through disc brake pads, chains, and puncture-resistant tires faster ($120 to $180/year). Lithium-ion e-bike batteries also lose capacity after 500 to 800 charge cycles, so this model sets aside $100/year ($500 over 5 years) toward a replacement battery pack alongside $0.01/mile in charging electricity.
Frequently asked questions
Why use $0.34/mile instead of the full $0.67/mile IRS mileage rate?
The IRS standard mileage rate bundles fixed ownership costs (comprehensive insurance, annual registration, and age-based depreciation) with variable per-mile costs. If you still own and insure your car for weekend errands, biking to work only saves the variable portion ($0.30 to $0.38/mile). If an e-bike lets your household sell a car altogether, enter your avoided monthly insurance and registration in the fixed monthly savings field.
How much electricity does charging an e-bike actually use?
A typical commuter e-bike uses 20 to 25 watt-hours (0.020 to 0.025 kWh) per mile. Even at $0.20 to $0.30/kWh residential electricity rates, riding 2,200 miles per year costs only $10 to $22 in electricity for the entire year.
Are there utility or city rebates for commuter e-bikes?
Yes. Dozens of states, air quality districts, and municipal electric utilities offer point-of-sale vouchers or post-purchase rebates ranging from $300 to $1,500 for UL-2849 certified commuter and cargo e-bikes.
Benchmark sources and dates
Starting assumptions are example benchmarks, not binding quotes. Change any input to match your own bills or offers.
| Assumption / Input | Starting value | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Car variable fuel, maintenance, and tire wear cost per mile | $0.34/mile variable driving cost ($0.15/mi fuel + $0.10/mi maintenance/tires + $0.09/mi mileage-driven depreciation) | AAA Your Driving Costs Annual Benchmark Study | 2026-04-01 |
| Commuter e-bike purchase price, safety gear, maintenance, and replacement battery | $1,800 e-bike, $250 helmet/lock/panniers, $140/yr tune-up/wear parts, $500 5-year battery reserve | National Renewable Energy Laboratory Micromobility and Electric Bicycle Cost Analysis | 2026-04-01 |
| E-bike charging electricity consumption per mile | $0.01/mile (roughly 20 to 25 Wh/mile at $0.17/kWh residential electricity rate) | U.S. Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center Electric Micromobility | 2026-04-01 |
| Commute distance, hybrid work frequency, urban parking, and transit pass benchmarks | 12-mile round trip, 4 days/wk, 46 weeks/yr, $6/day parking/tolls | American Public Transportation Association and U.S. Census Bureau Commuting Benchmarks | 2026-04-01 |