Transportation economics
E-Bike ROI Calculator
How long until an e-bike pays for itself in saved gas, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation? Pick your state, tune the inputs, and watch the payback line.
Inputs
$/gal
What you're currently paying per gallon.
MPG
$
$/kWh
Pre-filled with the residential average for California.
mi/day
What share of your driving an e-bike could realistically take over. 100% = mostly short commutes/errands. 30% = lots of highway or family hauling.
Payback period
10.2 months
Annual net savings
$2,352
5-year net
$9,760
Annual CO₂ avoided
1.3 tons CO₂
Cumulative net savings, first 5 years
Crossing the dashed line at $0 is when the e-bike has paid for itself in fuel, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation savings, net of its own upkeep.
Behind the numbers
Car fuel cost per mile$0.161
Car ownership cost per mile$0.500
Car cost per mile (total)$0.661
E-bike electricity cost per mile$0.006
Savings per replaceable mile$0.655
Replaceable miles / year3,822 mi
E-bike upkeep per year$150
Car CO₂ per mile0.70 lbs
E-bike CO₂ per mile0.02 lbs
5-year CO₂ avoided6.5 tons CO₂