Electric transportation is revolutionizing how we get around, from a morning commute through the city to touring the countryside between camping sites. That leaves many people asking, what is the most affordable option for their next electric ride.
Yes, electric bikes are generally more expensive than electric scooters. Still, for some e-bike and e-scooter categories, the price difference can be not that significant. For example, certain high-end models of electric road bikes or off-road/mountain bikes can be up to $10-$15K. In contrast, most high-end electric scooters tend to be around $6-$8K.
Why are Electric Bikes More Expensive Than Electric Scooters?
Keep in mind that most electric bikes have more moving parts and are designed for wider use than electric scooters. That requires more custom design and higher durability than electric scooters. Other reasons electric bikes tend to be more expensive include:
Reason #1 – More Premium Materials
Look at a picture of any e-scooter compared to an e-bike, and you’ll immediately notice bigger wheels, more parts, and an expansive frame. All of these parts require more materials made from carbon fiber, high-quality aluminum, etc. This is a significantly more expensive material compared to most parts on an electric scooter.
Read also: Why are electric bikes so expensive? And, Does it make sense to buy the cheapest electric bicycle?
Reason #2 – Brand Recognition
Owning a Rolex is better than owning a watch from Walmart. Brand recognition increases the value of products we purchase. Electric bikes have been around for quite some time now and are often produced by companies that have been making traditional bicycles.
Brands like Pinarello, which was founded in 1953, or Trek in 1976 have a much easier time setting higher prices than newer electronic scooter brands like Dualtron, which has only been around since 1999.
Reason #3 – Human Use Factor
For generations, we have used traditional bikes (and now electric bikes) to get around. Watch any WWII movie, and you’ll see everyone using bicycles in the city. It has become trendy now to go for long bike rides through the country, especially after the pandemic.
There are numerous biking events, including the Summer Olympics. None of that popularity or integration into our daily lives has hit as hard with electric scooters, not yet at least.
Reason #4 – Comfort
Most users prefer a seat when riding for long distances. Electric bikes have comfortable seats and cushions that we can use to coast. Electric scooters require standing up, which some people would rather not do for extended periods.
Cheap vs. Expensive Electric Bikes & Scooters
The difference between cheap and expensive electric bikes and scooters comes down to the materials and quality of the components used in each device. Motors, batteries, durability, shocks, brakes, and more all have premium versions that are highly sought after by riding enthusiasts.
A great example of this comparison is the material used in the frame. People who want off-road riding will seek out a heavier frame that requires more materials, so it doesn’t break while riding. The same is true for electric scooters. Expensive models usually have custom-made decks or reinforced necks to handle rough riding, and that increases the price.
Read also: How much does it cost to own an e-bike? And, What is the difference between cheap and expensive e-bikes?
Are the Expensive Electric Bikes and Scooters Really that Much Better?
This is going to depend a bit on what or how you are using the bike and scooter, but in general, the answer is yes. It almost always comes down to the quality of materials, equipment, as well as add-ons used in the construction of the bike or scooter.
Some brands can indeed charge a bit more of a premium price, but if they do not deliver on quality, then their reputation will tank, and no one will buy their products in the future. More expensive electric transportation is 80-90% of the time worth the price because of the quality materials and components used to manufacture those vehicles.
How Much are the Most Expensive Electric Bikes?
This varies country by country and brand by brand. At the time of writing, the most expensive electric bike is the BlackTrail BT-01 starting at $80,000. It is made of lightweight carbon fiber, aerospace aluminum, titanium, and magnesium. On a single charge of the leather-clad 17Ah Li-ion battery pack, you can travel roughly 120 miles at speeds up to 65mph.
The average tends to be in the $10-$18K area for the most expensive electric bikes on the market. This will depend on the materials and components that are used, brand recognition, and extra services, such as a warranty, for example.
Read also: Why are e-bikes so expensive? And, will e-bikes become cheaper? If they do, when?
How Much are the Most Expensive Electric Scooters?
The high-end models of electric scooters tend to be from Dualtron. The X2, in particular, is the current leader in price at roughly $6,400-$6,800. There are more expensive scooters, but this is the industry equivalent of a Porsche.
With the Dualtron X2, you get a 72V 43Ah Li-ion battery that will get your speed up to 68mph for up to 93 miles depending on your weight and size. There are also numerous control features and premium components that cause this electric scooter to be on the high end of the market. In general, the fastest electric scooters tend to also be the most expensive.
3 Expensive Electric Bikes on the Market Today
A good measure of the current electric bike market is these three examples. They are not the top-end expensive models, but the luxury bikes most riding enthusiasts would consider purchasing.
PivoteVault GRX Carbon Wheel e-Bike | $10,000
Pivot was one of the first brands to jump into the high-end e-bike market when the world was still unsure if electric bikes were a good idea. The Pivot GRX is now in incredible demand, and there is a waiting list.
This isn’t a clunky off-road bike, but a lightweight structure and excellent handling that also makes you look fantastic riding anywhere you want to go. This is an 11-speed e-bike with 3 different modes and speeds up to 28mph and is excellent for trails or urban commutes.
S-Works Turbo Kenevo SL | $15,000
The Kenevo looks like a mountain bike until you actually sit and engage the motor. You definitely have the durability to enjoy plenty of trail riding, but the lightweight design and hyper-responsiveness allow you to get just as much pleasure exploring cities as mountains.
You can expect speeds of up to 20mph on 29” wheels designed especially for the rough terrain of mountain biking. This is a luxury e-bike made for the outdoor explorations we all wish we had more time for every weekend.
YETI 160E T1 E-Bike 2022 | $13,000
The first thing you will notice about this powerful e-bike is the shocks. This is an e-bike designed for racing. Not only can you enjoy a leisurely journey through the forest, but you could also take this bike on pretty much any mountain racecourse and win.
We’re talking about a TURQ-Series frame and a Shimano EP8 motor with a 630Wh internal battery. Top it all off with a Shimano XT drivetrain, and you have a beast that devours challenging rugged trails.
Read also: How much does an e-bike cost? – mountain, commuter, cruiser, junior, city, electric, folding, road, cargo, gravel, kids’ e-bike – in detailed e-bike pricing guides (with multiple examples).
3 Expensive Electric Scooter on the Market Today
You’ll immediately see a price difference in electric scooters vs. electric bikes from these three luxury models that only real riders purchase.
Rion2 Thrust | $10,000
This is part of the group of scooters often called “hyperscooters” because of the break-neck speeds. The fully charged 88.2V lithium battery 30Ah/84V will get you up to 90mph at a range of 45-50 miles before needing a break. This bad boy has dual motors, extreme acceleration, and even a compatible Rion mobile application to help you navigate and track the health of your electric scooter.
Rion is a favorite brand of racers because their scooters are great to customize. Think about the street racers in the Southwest of the U.S. They buy high-end Hondas and transform them into speed daemons. The same thing is happening in the electric scooters world with Rion.
Works Electric Hollyburn GS | $8,000
Get ready for 12,000 W max power, a top speed of 50 mph, and a range of 45 miles with the Hollyburn GS. This durable machine looks straight out of a science fiction novel. Everything about the Hollyburn screams industrial strength and speed. Between the power and 4-piston hydraulic breaking, you are looking at a ride that is incredibly fast and fairly safe.
This is like the luxury boat you buy to showcase how much knowledge you have as well as your love of premium products.
Dualtron X2 | $6,500
We mentioned it once already, but the Dualtron X2 is considered the best. This is more than a good-looking electric scooter. You will get a 90+ mile range at top speeds of 68mph. The X2 uses 8,300 BLDH hub dual motors to push the 13-inch ultra-wide tires all over the world.
You can see the shock power of this scooter. It has all the accessories you could want for upgrading, including a custom seat and bag ramp for picking up friends or local groceries. This is a fantastic secondary mode of transportation for people touring the country in an RV or converted bus.
Will an Expensive Electric Bike Save You Money?
Yes! Replace just one car trip with an electric bike at least five times a week, and you will have saved over $600 per year in gas and maintenance. Cars are expensive. They require custom parts for repairs, a lot of maintenance, insurance premiums, and often a high-interest rate car payment.
Electric bikes tend to be a single item purchase that you just plug into your wall to charge. You may have to replace a tire or two over the long run, but in general, you will save a significant amount of money so much so that the e-bike will pay for itself.
Read also: Can traditional bicycles be converted into e-bikes? And, How fast do e-bikes lose value, depreciate?
Things to Know About Expensive Electric Bikes and Scooters
If you have to replace anything more than a tire, you may be paying a premium. High-end materials are not cheap, and the demand for these products has only gone up because of the popularity of electric riding options. That creates a scarcity of raw materials that were already expensive.
You should check into the durability, maintenance, and waterproofing of the electric bike or scooter you are interested in buying first. That way, you do not end up paying significantly more in repairs or replacement costs if you frequently use these products for extreme sports or heavy use.
A Few Words in Conclusion
Yes, electric bikes are generally more expensive than electric scooters, but there are some caveats. It all comes down to premium quality materials, brand name, accessories and equipment used, as well as your own intentions.
If you only need a short-distance commuter electric scooter, you do not need to spend a high price. If you are a riding enthusiast who enjoys high speeds or off-roading, then expect to pay more for the durability and quality you will need. No matter what, these are fantastic transportation options that are only growing in popularity.
Read also: Ever considered offering e-bike as a gift? Or gifting one to yourself? Check out our suggestions – in this e-bike gift guide.
