Brochure range rarely matches your commute. This guide walks through the e-bike range estimator—usable watt-hours, assist multiplier, and terrain—before you plan a long ride or size a battery upgrade.
Benefits
- Range = usable Wh ÷ Wh/km with transparent assist, weight, and wind/terrain multipliers.
- Pack efficiency input separates nameplate Wh from energy that reaches the motor.
- Pairs with voltage-sag and charging-cost tools for full ride and ownership planning.
How it works
- Enter battery capacity (Wh) and pack efficiency (typical 88–95%).
- Set base Wh/km, pedal-assist level (1–5), total rider+bike mass, and wind/terrain factor.
- Review estimated range in km and the effective Wh/km used in the calculation.
FAQ
How do I estimate e-bike range?
Divide usable battery Wh by consumption Wh/km. Example: 500 Wh at 92% efficiency → 460 Wh usable; at 12 Wh/km effective consumption that is about 38 km. Raise assist level or headwind factors to see range drop.
What is a typical Wh/km for e-bikes?
Many commuters fall between 8–12 Wh/km on flat ground at moderate assist. Hills, strong headwinds, heavy loads, and max assist can push 15–20+ Wh/km—use the wind/terrain factor and assist level inputs to bracket your route.
Why is my real range lower than the calculator?
Cold batteries, voltage sag on climbs, stop-and-go traffic, and under-inflated tyres all raise Wh/km. Start with manufacturer Wh and your usual assist level, then add margin for winter or hilly return legs.
Technical specifications
- Usable Wh = battery_Wh × pack_efficiency.
- Wh/km ≈ base_Wh/km × assist_multiplier × wind_terrain_factor + weight_penalty.
- Range_km = usable_Wh ÷ Wh/km.
- Related: ebike-voltage-sag, ebike-charging-cost, ebike-weight-performance.
Assist level drives consumption
Higher pedal-assist levels multiply baseline Wh/km—Level 5 can draw roughly 2.5× the energy of Level 1 on the same route. Commute planning should use the assist you actually ride, not the eco mode from the marketing page.
Weight and terrain compound
Total mass (rider, cargo, bike) adds a Wh/km penalty above a reference weight. Wind and grade factors stack on top. A flat outbound leg with a headwind return can mean two different consumption figures—rerun the estimator for worst-case direction.