An e-bike’s range is the energy in its battery divided by how much energy you use per mile. Enter your battery details and riding style to estimate how far you can go on one charge, with a reserve kept back so you don’t run flat.
E-bike Range Calculator
Estimate how far your e-bike can go on one charge.
How far can an e-bike go on one charge?
Many e-bikes cover roughly 20 to 80 miles per charge, and the spread is that wide because energy use varies so much. Gazelle notes that a battery holding 400 to 500Wh typically delivers 20 to 80+ miles in pedal assist (Gazelle e-bike battery guide). Divide those figures and you get an energy use of roughly 5 to 25 watt-hours per mile.
The same battery can land at either end of that range depending on how you ride. That’s why the calculator asks for your energy use instead of quoting one fixed mileage.
How does the range calculator work?
It works in three steps. First, it finds your battery’s capacity: volts × amp-hours gives watt-hours. Next, it subtracts the reserve you want to keep, because few riders want to roll home on 0%. Finally, it divides the usable energy by your energy use per mile or kilometre.
Take the default example: a 36V 14Ah battery holds 504Wh. Starting at 100% and keeping 10% in reserve leaves about 454Wh to use. Here’s how far that goes at three energy-use levels:
| Riding style (example value) | Energy use | Estimated range |
|---|---|---|
| Light assist, flat roads | 12 Wh/mile | about 38 miles |
| Mixed riding | 18 Wh/mile | about 25 miles |
| Throttle, hills or heavy load | 25 Wh/mile | about 18 miles |
The three riding-style values are rough starting points we chose from inside that 5 to 25 Wh/mile spread, not measurements of any specific bike. Your own number will give a far better answer.
How do I find my own energy use per mile?
Measure one normal ride. Note the battery percentage before and after, multiply the percentage used by your battery’s watt-hours, and divide by the miles ridden.
Energy use (Wh/mile) ≈ (% used ÷ 100 × battery Wh) ÷ miles ridden
For example, if a 504Wh battery drops from 100% to 60% over 12 miles, you used 40% of 504Wh, or about 202Wh. Divided by 12 miles, that’s about 17Wh per mile. Some displays and apps show this figure directly. Measure a few different rides, since a windy commute and a calm weekend loop rarely match.
What affects e-bike range the most?
Bosch lists six main factors that change range (Bosch: what range can I achieve):
- Temperature: cold weather temporarily cuts battery performance, so winter range drops.
- Cadence: Bosch suggests pedalling at 60 to 90 revolutions per minute for the best efficiency.
- Stopping and starting: frequent stops cost energy; steady riding goes further.
- Gear choice: start and climb in low gears, then shift up as speed builds.
- Tyre pressure: Bosch advises riding at the maximum permitted pressure for more range.
- Weight: a lighter rider, bike and load need less energy.
Assist level matters too. Higher assist modes and throttle use draw more power for every mile, which is why the “throttle, hills or heavy load” example uses the highest energy value.
How can I plan a longer ride with confidence?
Use a lower energy-use figure only if you’ll ride gently, and raise the reserve for unfamiliar routes, cold days or hilly terrain. A 20% reserve gives you room for detours and headwinds.
Range also shrinks as a battery ages and holds less charge. If your range has dropped over the years, the e-bike battery life calculator helps you estimate how much life the pack has left, and our guide on how long an e-bike battery lasts explains what wears it out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my range lower than the manufacturer’s claim?
Brand claims are usually measured in low assist on flat ground with a light rider. Hills, wind, higher assist, cold and extra weight all cut range.
Does a 48V battery go further than a 36V battery?
Not on voltage alone. Range depends on watt-hours, so a 48V 10Ah pack (480Wh) holds about the same energy as a 36V 13.3Ah pack (479Wh).
How much range do I lose in winter?
It varies by battery and temperature, so we don’t quote a fixed figure. Measure a cold-weather ride and enter that energy use for winter planning.
Can I calculate range in kilometres?
Yes. Switch the distance unit to kilometres and the energy-use figure converts automatically; the result also shows the other unit.
Should I ride until the battery is empty?
No. Bosch advises against regularly draining the battery to zero, which is why the calculator keeps a reserve by default.