The initial price is only the starting point for retaining ebikes in the long term. According to the data of the China Bicycle Association, the sales ratio of the entry-level models (2,500-4,000 yuan) is 58%. But their average life of the lead-acid batteries is only 2 years, and they need to be replaced 2.3 times in 5 years. With the price of 600 yuan per time, the total cost of holding equals 7,000 yuan. For high-end lithium battery models (e.g., NIU NXT, priced at 12,000 yuan), the battery life is 8 years, and the maintenance cost in 5 years only totals 2,800 yuan, 18% less in overall cost. According to Consumer Reports in America, smart ebikes (for example, Specialized Turbo Vado 5.0) cost 1,200 yuan on average for annual maintenance, 37% higher than the older models. The anti-theft system, however, reduces the theft rate to 1.5% and saves 860 yuan of insurance expenses each year.
Energy efficiency makes a significant difference in long-term expenditures. The electricity consumed by an ebike is 0.03 yuan per kilometer, which is just 5% of the fuel motorcycle’s (0.6 yuan per kilometer). With a 20-kilometer average daily trip, the cost of electricity over five years would be 657 yuan (0.6 yuan/kilowatt-hour ×0.6kWh/day ×365 days ×5 years), while the fuel cost for a fuel car amounts to 21,900 yuan. But the battery aging will increase more rapidly with the fast charging technology: lithium batteries with 2A standard charge retain their cycle life at 1,200 times, but 4A fast charge ones will reduce to 800 times, increasing replacement cost by 1,500 yuan over five years. Studies by the International Energy Agency demonstrate that Ebikes equipped with energy recovery systems (such as the Bosch Smart System) can increase the range by 15%, reduce the average number of charging times per year by 24 times, and conserve 87 yuan in electricity expenditure.
Maintenance costs bear a direct correlation with the quality of spares. Shimano beginner transmissions (e.g., Tourney TX) require replacement by a new chain after 8,000 kilometers (180 yuan), while Deore XT series lasts for 25,000 kilometers and reduces the maintenance price by 64%. Hydraulic disc brake systems (e.g., Tektro HD-M285) require brake fluid change after 15,000 kilometers, with the average yearly price being 90 yuan, reducing the maintenance frequency by 43% compared to mechanical brakes. TUV Rheinland Germany tests reveal that motors with an IP67 waterproof certification (e.g., Bafang M620) experience a failure rate of only 0.8 times per 10,000 kilometers and save 75% of maintenance costs as opposed to regular motors (3.2 times per 10,000 kilometers).
The depreciation rate is increased because of technological iteration. Based on data released by China’s second-hand trading platform Zhuanzhuan, the residual value rate of ebikes for three years averages 32%, while the residual value rate of Internet of Things function-equipped models (like the No. 9 F90) is 45%. The depreciation rate of high-end mid-mounted motor models (such as Giant Trance X E+) is 15% annually, 9 percentage points lower than that of hub motor models. As the new national standard only took effect in 2024, the depreciation rate of non-standard vehicles has risen sharply to 25%, while the second-hand premium of compliant models (such as Yadea DE3) was 18%.
Policy parameters change the mode of holding costs. Shenzhen’s five-yearly inspection fee (480 yuan) and insurance (600 yuan) charged on non-conformant ebikes impose 5,400 yuan, whereas conformant models enjoy the advantage of exemption from inspection policy. The environmental protection processing charge (€15/kg) level by the European Union on recycling of lithium batteries adds €108 to the scrapping cost of a 72V30Ah battery but can be offset by being in the trade-in program by 70%. The Beijing Municipal government subsidy (10% of selling price) has raised the net present value (NPV) of the high-end models by 19% and reduced the investment payback period to 2.8 years.
Detailed computation shows that the real cost of a mid-grade ebike (with an initial investment of 6,000 yuan) for five years is: Purchase cost is 6,000 yuan, electricity cost is 657 yuan, maintenance cost is 2,800 yuan, insurance cost is 2,400 yuan, and residual value is 1,920 yuan, for a total of 9,937 yuan. This is only 23% of the price of a gasoline-powered motorbike during the same period (43,000 yuan), and carbon emissions are reduced by 5.4 tons. However, if the fast-charging and low water-resistance configuration is used, then the price can increase by 38%, showing the technical value of long-term cost management in decision-making.