Nowadays, electric means of transport make it possible to cover longer distances quickly, cheaply and in an environmentally friendly way. Lately, various electric means of transport have conquered the market. Today, everyone is talking about electric bikes vs. electric scooters and pedelecs. But most people don’t know whether a pedelec, an e-bike or maybe even an e-scooter suits them best.
We aim to explain the differences between the two or three options. Because they all come with advantages and disadvantages that every rider has to weigh up for themselves if a scooter or a pedal bike best suits their needs.
Overview of the Differences Between E-Scooters and E-Bikes
The term e-bike is often used to refer to two different variants: e-bikes and pedelecs. Therefore, when you are comparing the merits of an electric bike vs. an electric scooter, you actually have to compare three variants, as pedelecs are by far the most popular in most European countries.
Here is an overview of all three electric means of transport:
- Pedelec: A pedelec belongs to the e-bike family and looks like a conventional bicycle, but it cannot accelerate on its own. This means that the rider has to pedal and is then assisted by the motor up to a speed of 25 km/h.
- E-bike: This variant also looks like a bicycle, but it can accelerate on its own without additional pedalling. Hence, the rider does not have to pedal himself, and the e-bike reaches speeds of 25 km/h (15.5 mph) or 50 km/h (32 mph) even without assistance.
- E-scooter: The design of an e-scooter is based on a kick scooter with a deck to stand on, but there is no seat and there are no pedals. It is usually sufficient to kick off once at the beginning, and then the e-scooter accelerates and drives on its own, without assistance from the driver. The big question here is: how fast does an electric scooter go – actually it’s up to 20 km/h (12.5 mph).
At a first glance, the most striking difference is that the e-scooter is essentially a kick scooter, whereas a pedelec or e-bike resembles an ordinary bicycle. But the type of motor support has significant consequences for the legal interpretation of all three variants, which we will address shortly.
Road Traffic Regulations for Electric Bikes vs. Electric Scooters
The legal situation makes it clear why it’s so important to distinguish between pedelecs and e-bikes. As a pedelec with a motorised pedal assistance of up to 25 km/h (15.5 mph) is treated by the law like an ordinary bicycle, you don’t need a driving licence, a number plate or insurance. An e-bike, on the other hand, is legally a small moped or moped, so you require the same papers as for a moped, which is not the case for a pedelec.
The situation is somewhat simpler for slower e-scooters. In most European countries, a driving licence is not required, but an insurance licence plate and the corresponding liability insurance are obligatory nevertheless. Pedelecs and slower e-scooters are generally allowed to ride on cycle paths. But faster, long range electric scooters with a speed of 25 to 45 km/h (15.5 to 28 mph) and e-bikes are considered small mopeds or even mopeds and are consequently not allowed to ride on cycle paths in most countries.
Direct Comparison of Electric Bikes vs. Electric Scooters
Electric means of transport should be comfortable, fast, and light. They should also offer a long range so that commuting to work, shopping or a short trip can be managed without much effort. Whether you choose an e-bike or an e-scooter really depends on what your individual needs are.
Riding Comfort
E-bikes and pedelecs have all the advantages when it comes to riding comfort. Riders sit comfortably on the seat and pedalling is effortless due to the additional motor. Even senior citizens can cover long distances without breaking a sweat. E-scooters are mainly suitable for short distances because standing for long periods can become quite uncomfortable and due to the small tyres, you really feel every single pothole.
Speed
When it comes to speed, the e-bike is the clear winner. But the fastest version with up to 50 km/h (32 mph) also has the greatest legal requirements, as it is considered to be a moped. As a small moped version, the e-bike still reaches 25 km/h (15.5 mph), as does the pedelec.
E-scooters are usually limited to a maximum of 20 km/h (12.5 mph), which is due to the low driving stability. Even at that speed, the risk of a fall is somewhat higher than on an e-bike because of the small tyres.
Weight
The weight can vary greatly depending on the model and battery size. It is therefore hard to say whether pedelecs, e-bikes or e-scooters have the edge here. Lightweight pedelecs weigh less than 15 kg (33 pounds) and at best, lightweight e-scooters weigh a few kilograms less. However, if you opt for an e-scooter with a longer range, you will find that it’s much heavier. If you consider the combination of weight and range, pedelecs are probably the best option.
Range
Due to their design and the possibility of propelling yourself by pedalling, e-bikes and pedelecs allow much longer ranges. With high-quality models, you can usually cover distances of up to 100 km (62 miles), while an e-scooter only manages a fraction of that. The small, wide wheels in particular cause greater frictional resistance, which leads to a significant loss of efficiency. That’s why most standard scooters only manage around 30 km (18.5 miles), while expensive special models sometimes reach 60 km (37 miles).
Ease of Charging
In principle, there is no difference between pedelecs, e-bikes and e-scooters in this respect. Modern e-bikes and pedelecs, like the Ampler Bikes models, rely on batteries that are integrated into the frame and cannot be removed to offer additional stability and safety. The same applies to the majority of e-scooters. Riders are usually provided with a power supply unit that they can use to charge their electric means of transport from a standard household socket. It usually only takes a few hours to fully charge the battery again.
Transporting Loads with Electric Bikes vs. Electric Scooters
Electric scooters have advantages and disadvantages that everyone has to weigh up for themselves. However, they are often simply unsuitable for transporting loads of any kind. Even small purchases can become a challenge, as there is no place to put or hang any shopping bags. The only really practical option is to use a backpack.
E-bikes and pedelecs, on the other hand, frequently have a luggage rack that is even suitable for loads up to 25 kg (55 pounds). Thus, shopping can be easily stowed and transported without much effort. Trailers, as they are also used for conventional bicycles, are also suitable for e-bikes and pedelecs. They can even be used to transport small children and pets – an option that is not available with e-scooters.
The Bottom Line
In principle, all three variants are equally suitable for short distances. But when it comes down to choosing an electric bike vs. an electric scooter, it pays to bear in mind that e-bikes and pedelecs offer more advantages over longer distances due to their better comfort and longer range. In addition, larger loads can be easily transported thanks to the luggage rack and trailer coupling device.
If you are wondering whether an electric scooter is worth it, or whether an e-bike would be the better choice, it ultimately depends on how you are planning to use these electric means of transport in your everyday life.
The stylish e-bikes from Ampler Bikes are all pedelecs and can thus be used like conventional bicycles. So, you can just hop on and ride off without having to worry about a driving licence or registration.
Contact us now for a test ride.
