E-bike vs. electric scooter: running cost
An electric scooter is cheaper to run: about $11 a year versus $16 for an e-bike at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $6 difference.
| E-bike | Electric scooter | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 100 W | 70 W |
| Watt range | 60–250 W | 40–200 W |
| Typical use | 10 miles a day | 8 miles a day |
| Energy per year | 91 kWh | 58 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 1.8¢ | 1.3¢ |
| Cost per day | 4.5¢ | 2.9¢ |
| Cost per month | $1.37 | $0.88 |
| Cost per year | $16 | $11 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $40 | $25 |
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What drives the difference
- E-bike: E-bikes use about 15-25 Wh per mile, roughly 0.025 kWh at the wall, so 10 miles a day costs about $15 a year.
- Electric scooter: Kick scooters use about 15-20 Wh per mile, 0.02 kWh at the wall, so charging costs pennies a week.
Ways to cut either cost
Tire pump
Proper pressure improves range per charge.
See options on Amazon Smart plug with timer
Stops charging at 80% for battery longevity.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, an e-bike or an electric scooter?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), an e-bike costs about $16 a year versus $11 for an electric scooter. That's $6 more, or 1.6× as much.
How many watts do e-bike and electric scooter use?
An e-bike typically draws 100 W (range 60–250 W). An electric scooter draws 70 W (range 40–200 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.