{"id":13678,"date":"2021-11-18T07:58:25","date_gmt":"2021-11-18T12:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/auto\/?p=13678"},"modified":"2021-11-18T07:58:25","modified_gmt":"2021-11-18T12:58:25","slug":"believe-it-or-not-electric-cars-arent-the-best-selling-electric-vehicles-these-are","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=13678","title":{"rendered":"Believe it or not, electric cars aren’t the best-selling electric vehicles. These are"},"content":{"rendered":"

Electric bikes. They\u2019re two-wheeled electric vehicles that outsell electric cars handily<\/a> and are a much more affordable way for many commuters to begin replacing gas-driven miles with a cleaner alternative.<\/p>\n

So why aren\u2019t they a bigger part of the discussion on sustainable transportation alternatives?<\/p>\n

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For those that haven\u2019t had the pleasure of learning about these fun electric two-wheelers, e-bikes are basically normal pedal bikes with the addition of a battery and an electric assist motor.<\/p>\n

Sometimes it\u2019s a low-power motor designed to help cyclists climb a hill easier, reduce the effort required to get to work, or lengthen a fitness ride for longer outings. <\/p>\n

Other times, it\u2019s a higher power motor complete with hand throttle like a motorbike that can actually replace the need to pedal altogether and function more like an electric moped.<\/p>\n

And then there are all sorts of specialty electric bicycles, like folding models<\/a> for taking on the subway or cargo models<\/a> for carrying groceries or kids.<\/p>\n

Basically, it\u2019s a vastly diverse industry with something for everyone. The common thread is that they all share electric motors and they all can be used to replace car miles \u2013 especially gas-powered car miles.<\/p>\n

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These aren\u2019t some new-fangled idea or an obscure hobby for those in the know. Electric bicycles are selling like hotcakes \u2013 and they have been for years.<\/a><\/p>\n

Even in the US where the public has been slower to catch on to e-bikes, new electric bicycle companies have reached over a hundred thousand sales in just two years. <\/a><\/p>\n

The more established electric bicycle companies in the US are raking in hundreds of millions of dollars in funding<\/a> as investors awaken to the huge surge in e-bike adoption.<\/p>\n

In Europe, electric bicycles are even more common and are actually projected to outsell cars by the middle of this decade<\/a>. Not just outsell electric cars. All cars.<\/em><\/p>\n

And Asia is already years ahead of Europe in terms of e-bike adoption, where it is common for families to forgo a car altogether in favor of an electric bike.<\/p>\n

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Moped-style electric bicycles often serve as family vehicles in Asia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

But as effective as e-bikes are when it comes to transportation alternatives, they still seem to get looked over in favor of pricey electric cars \u2013 especially when it comes to public policy. <\/p>\n

That\u2019s not to say electric cars aren\u2019t an important part of the equation. <\/p>\n

Americans commute by car far more than any other vehicle. Replacing gas-powered cars with electric cars is thus an important part of reducing emissions that lead directly to climate change<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But not everyone has tens of thousands of dollars for a new electric car. <\/p>\n

Even with tax credits<\/a>, buying a new car isn\u2019t always the most sustainable solution. Electric bicycles, on the other hand, can often be purchased new for well under $2,000<\/a>, and many good options even exist for less than $1,000<\/a>. <\/p>\n

Even the fancy ones from high-end manufacturers<\/a> usually cost between $3,500-$6,000 (or as my commenters often like to put it, \u201cthe price of a used Nissan Leaf\u201d).<\/p>\n

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When it comes to legislation supporting investment in sustainable transportation, affordable e-bikes frequently get passed over in favor of electric cars and flashier projects.<\/p>\n

When they do get funding, they\u2019re often looked at in terms of specialty alternatives. Even the New York Times<\/em><\/a> relegated electric bikes to \u201cniche items\u201d recently. As the CEO of North America\u2019s leading electric bicycle company Rad Power Bikes<\/a> Mike Radenbaugh pointed out on Twitter, there\u2019s nothing niche about the best-selling electric vehicles.<\/p>\n

He explained that his company\u2019s electric bikes <\/a>alone have replaced 338,000,000 miles. And consider that they only represent an estimated quarter of the US e-bike market.<\/p>\n

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Far beyond a \u201cniche\u201d industry, ebikes are the fastest growing & most energy efficient EV. Rad riders alone replaced 338 million car miles. Incentivizing people to step out of their cars & try ebikes is critical to cutting emissions at scale, improving health & quality of life. https:\/\/t.co\/wzHOCBYaAT<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Mike Radenbaugh (@mikeradenbaugh) November 18, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Times may be changing though. This year sees the best chance yet that e-bike tax credit legislation<\/a> will pass in Congress to give Americans a credit of up to $1,500 on a new e-bike purchase.<\/p>\n

And electric bicycle sales continue to skyrocket in the US<\/a>, even without any financial incentives from the government.<\/p>\n

For the many commuters out there eyeing an electric vehicle to replace their gas-driven miles but struggling with the high cost of electric cars, the answer might be surprising. And smaller. And have just two wheels.<\/p>\n

While not everyone can replace a car entirely with an electric bicycle, many local trips don\u2019t require a several thousand pound vehicle. Running errands or meeting friends at the local coffee shop might just be quicker, easier, and far more energy-efficient if performed on an electric bicycle. <\/p>\n

For those that can replace a car with an e-bike, or perhaps replace a second car to become a one car and one e-bike household, the financial benefits can be staggering. One San Francisco woman found that she saved $50,000 over seven years<\/a> by swapping her car for an e-bike.<\/p>\n

So while electric cars are an important part of the equation, lighter personal electric vehicles like e-bikes, e-scooters, and even e-motorcycles are just as important. And maybe even more so.<\/p>\n

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FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.<\/em> More.<\/a><\/p>\n

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