E-Bike Range Calculator
Estimate how far an e-bike can go on a charge from its battery voltage, capacity and your real-world energy use per mile or kilometre.
How it works
Battery Wh = volts × amp-hours · Usable Wh = Wh × usable% · Range = usable Wh ÷ energy per mile
An e-bike battery's energy in watt-hours is simply its voltage times its amp-hour rating, and range is that energy divided by how many watt-hours you burn per mile. Real consumption varies enormously — light pedal-assist on flat ground might use 10–12 Wh/mi, while heavy throttle use, hills, headwinds and a heavier rider can push it past 30. Because you rarely drain a pack fully, applying a usable percentage gives a more honest range than the theoretical maximum manufacturers quote.
Worked example
A 48 V, 15 Ah battery holds 48 × 15 = 720 Wh. Using 90% of it (648 Wh) at a mixed-riding 20 Wh/mi gives 648 ÷ 20 ≈ 32 miles. Switch to throttle-heavy riding at 30 Wh/mi and the same battery manages only about 22 miles.
Frequently asked questions
Why do manufacturers claim much higher range?
Advertised figures assume ideal conditions: lowest assist level, a light rider, flat smooth roads, no wind, and often steady pedaling that adds human power. Real rides with hills, stops, throttle and cargo consume far more per mile, so plan for the mixed or throttle figure, not the eco best case.
What uses more battery — throttle or pedal assist?
Throttle-only riding uses the most, because all the propulsion comes from the motor. Pedal-assist stretches range because your legs contribute power; the lower the assist level, the farther you go. Hills, acceleration, heavy loads and headwinds increase consumption in either mode.
Should I run the battery all the way down?
It is better not to. Lithium packs last longest kept roughly between 20% and 90%, so both regularly draining to zero and constantly charging to 100% shorten their life. Sizing range on usable capacity — not the full pack — reflects how you should actually ride and store it.
Related calculators
This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.