Electric bike kit or car: which solution is the most economical?

We know this, we are often told it: take the bike, It's more environmentally friendly than a car.

That's already a very good argument for choosing to replace your car with a bicycle. But often, the environmental argument isn't enough. We want to know which mode of transport costs the least.

Yes, price is often the deciding factor when making a purchase. Therefore, it's important to know whether to buy a bicycle. 🚲 is actually a more economical alternative to the car 🚗

Buying a bicycle or buying a car: how much does it cost?

🚲 Electric bike:

A good electric bike costs between €1,500 and €4,000, depending on the model and options (long battery life, accessories, etc.). Some government subsidies may reduce this price.

The cost will be lower on average if you opt for electrifying your bike.

This is the case for our three Kits Virvolt.

• If you choose the Virvolt 500 Kit, with the motor on the front wheel, it will cost you between 599 and 699 euros.

• If you select the Virvolt 750 Kit, With the motor on the rear wheel, you'll have for 890 euros or 990 euros.

• Finally, the 900 Kit, with the motor on the bottom bracket, it will cost you between 1,250 and 1,520 euros.

The price varies depending on the battery chosen. 🔋

Choosing a kit depends on your needs!

Of course, you'll need to add the cost of your mechanical bike, but you can now find some great ones for budgets of €200 to €350 on Le Bon Coin or other resale sites!

Even better, if you already have your bike in the garage of course!

🚗 Car :

A new car costs on average €20,000 to €30,000 (excluding electric vehicles). Even a used car represents a significant expense. often above €5,000.

🏆 Verdict: electric bikes are significantly more affordable to buy.

Energy cost: fuel vs. electricity ⚡

🚲 Electric bike:

The average price of electricity in France is €0.17/kWh. According to the website cleanrider.com, To calculate the price of a recharge, you need to multiply the capacity in kWh by the price of electricity.

For example, to recharge our standard battery which has a capacity of 380 Wh for a range of 70 km, we calculate: 0.38 kWh × €0.17/kWh = 0.0646 €, or about 6 cents per top-up.

The average price of a full recharge of a electric bike (e-bike) in France is approximately €0.10.

🚗 Car :

With an average fuel price at €1.71/L In January 2025, according to INSEE, this costs us between €7.18 and €8.38 to travel 70 km by car, which is the same level of autonomy as our standard battery.

Charging an electric car for 70 km costs between €1.40 and €2.80.

🏆 Verdict: The electric bike is unbeatable on energy cost.

Maintenance and repairs: which costs the most?

🚲 Electric bike :

Little regular maintenance is required, except for tires, brakes, and the battery, which need to be changed every few months. 4 to 6 years old. An annual maintenance check costs 50 to 150 €.

🚗 Car :

Insurance, vehicle inspection, oil change, tires, brakes… The annual budget varies between 800 and 2000 €.

🏆 Verdict: Maintaining an electric bike is much less expensive than maintaining a car.

Insurance and other hidden costs

🚲 Electric bike :

No mandatory insurance, but a theft/fire option costs €5 to €15 per month. Furthermore, there is no paid parking.

🚗 Car :

Mandatory insurance (€400 to €1,000 per year), parking fees and sometimes tolls.

🏆 Verdict: Electric bikes save money on insurance and parking.

Total costs

If we calculate the detailed costs for both modes of transport, we obtain:

Purchase cost:

• Bicycle: 1,870 euros
• Car: 35,000 euros

Energy cost:

• Bicycle: 125 euros
• Car : 1,800 euros

Insurance and other hidden costs:

• Bicycle: 12.5 euros
• Car : over 900 euros

The total cost of a car would amount to 12,566 euross on average, while the total cost of an electric bike amounts to 669.16 euros on average.

Conclusion: Electric bikes are more economical than cars

If you live in the city and your daily commutes are short, an electric bike is a a much more cost-effective and economical alternative than the car. It helps to avoid fuel, maintenance, parking and insurance costs, while remaining ecological and practical.

Of course, a car may be essential for long distances or large families, but for daily commutes, Swapping your car for an electric bike can save you thousands of euros per year.

Furthermore, the electric bike is also a more practical and faster solution in the city.

So, ready to switch to an electric bike? 😉