Ebikes mileage claims need to be certified by some type of agency or organization

Posted by Physical_Delivery853@reddit | ebikes | View on Reddit | 24 comments

EBike mileage claims are so far off they are a joke. My experience is they get about 1/4 - 1/3 the mileage the manufacturer or seller claims. They really need to have a testing authority validate all Ebikes mileage claims, I would pay a $ or 2 extra to pay for this testing.

I look at the Amp Hour rating of the battery to get a rough idea, a 36v 6ah battery isn't going to take you more than 5-6 miles on a charge. a 48v 6ah will get you 10. To get 50-70 miles per charge you need a 48v 30ah battery if it's a 100% EBike, no peddling.

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Ok-Carpenter-8455@reddit

They do range tests on PAS 1 and the lightest rider they can find. These are not 100% throttle range tests.

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Physical_Delivery853@reddit (OP)

All testing should be done at the worst possible settings, so we know the worse case scenario. Limping home with 1/2 a bar flashing after going only 6 miles on an E scooter rated for 40 miles pisses me off..

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Inciteful_Analysis@reddit

No, they should not be tested on worst possible settings. Not only is it unrealistic for a company to cut its own throat, it would be a disservice for those considering an ebike for transportation and being unnecessarily and erroneously discouraged with sandbagged estimates.

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REDMOON2029@reddit

agreed but it should not list the most favourable range, since it's borderline scam. Just put something realistic

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Resplendent_Komorebi@reddit

It’s not a borderline scam. There’s nothing unrealistic about riding on flat ground with no throttle.

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Nova_Hunter@reddit

Lol so more due diligence on your end it's not our fault you didn't.

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Resplendent_Komorebi@reddit

Velotric uses a 165 lb rider

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Ohm_Slaw_@reddit

I don't think it's going to happen. The first thing they would need to do is establish a standard test for range. At least they would have something to test against. The test may not match your riding style or conditions, but comparative tests would be valid.

Look at the tests that pickup truck manufacturers do for towing capacity. They are very detailed to avoid fudging. They would need to implement something like that.

Once that was done, you would need some way to keep the WOBUCKMAMMY manufacturers from just lying through their teeth like they're doing now. Standards without teeth mean nothing. Consumer-friendly government regulation isn't very popular right now. I doubt you could get anything through.

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Disastrous_Ad7487@reddit

There are multiple review sites that conduct range testing, like electric bike report.
Ebikes are meant to pedaled. If your expectation is that you should be able to throttle your way to the manufacturers range numbers- rather than pedaling on eco mode- then you're bound to be disappointed.

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Physical_Delivery853@reddit (OP)

What is your excuse for a E scooter (no peddles) getting 6 miles of range v the promised 40 ?

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Disastrous_Ad7487@reddit

You asked about ebikes. I responded about ebikes. If e scooters are getting way under advertised range then that's a problem, and reviewers should point out when manufacturers are lying.

What's your excuse for apparently being unable to do basic research before buying, for conflating full throttle with riding a bike, and completely changing the topic when you get an answer your don't like?

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Charli3q@reddit

Well.. Question is, brand? Is it cheap random chinese brand? Or name brand?

If you're buying cheap junk thats probably not even UL approved, thats on you. No one else.

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ajscherer@reddit

6ah @ 48v is only 33% more energy than 6ah @ 36v, how are they able to get 100% more range? Are 48v powered bikes that much more efficient?

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Physical_Delivery853@reddit (OP)

I was giving rough estimates, but yes, 48v is more efficient; same as in cars. The higher the voltage, the higher the efficiency; it's why they are switching to 600-800v cars from 400v

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Inciteful_Analysis@reddit

You really should be looking at the battery capacity, not range claims that mean very little.

We don't need a govt agency to get involved. We need YouTube ebike reviewers to stop invariably testing range on ECO mode.

Range tests should be conducted using the lowest assist level that allows for a comfortable 15mph average. Most of the time this will not be ECO mode.

If you are only getting 1/4 to 1/3 of stated range, you are either testing some crappy bikes or have very unique conditions.

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syntheticassault@reddit

100% EBike, no peddling.

Maybe that's your problem. At some point the line between eBike and electric motorcycle/scooter get passed if you aren't pedaling.

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robotcoke@reddit

Maybe that's your problem. At some point the line between eBike and electric motorcycle/scooter get passed if you aren't pedaling.

I don't entirely disagree with your point, but I don't entirely agree with it.

Those electric shopping carts in the malls don't have pedals but we're not considering them to be electic cars.

I think the weight of the bike is what should determine the classification. That's what determines it for actual cars. They don't make you get a CDL and commercial registration if the speedometer goes over 100 or whatever. But they do if the weight is over the limit. Ebikes should be the handled same way. Doesn't matter how powerful it is - fat people need to make it up the step hills. But if it weighs 800 pounds (or whatever) then that's a motorcycle.

Having said that, I do agree with you that pedals should be included. It should still have a throttle for those that want one, but it should also have working pedals.

The ones without working pedals should just be classified as a scooter. And scooters should have their own standards, classifications, requirements, etc.

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Individual_Grade_662@reddit

bosch has an accurate range calculator

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Physical_Delivery853@reddit (OP)

It's pretty vague & only for their drive system.

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