Great News! “Eco Friendly” Takes on an Additional Meaning for E-Bike Users
With the soaring cost of living and towering fuel prices taking a toll on all of our wallets, the ‘eco’ in eco-friendly no longer only refers to the ecosystem but also to ebike owners’ ability to thrive in South Africa’s newfound economic situation.
The economic situation in South Africa is rapidly degrading, and with the rising cost of living people are looking for ways to save money and reduce their expenses. One of the most significant expenses for many people is transportation. We often forget that not too long-ago fuel prices seldomly rose above R15 per liter. With the cost of fuel being much higher than before, owning a car or motorcycle can be a significant burden on one’s finances: Especially when it is your only means of transport.
Economically Friendly
There’s no need to ditch your car or motorcycle, but who does not want some assistance in carrying the burden of fuel prices and countless additional costs that comes with owning an automobile?
E-bikes offer a cost-effective solution for short commutes. They are powered by electricity, which is significantly cheaper than gasoline or diesel. Not only can you cut your monthly fuel costs, but e-bikes also require less maintenance than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles. They also have fewer moving parts and don’t require regular oil changes, tune-ups, and other costly repairs. This means that e-bike owners can save even more money in the long run.
Who Needs an e-bike
Students and Young professionals –
E-bikes are becoming increasingly popular among students and young professionals as a cost-effective and convenient mode of transportation.
For students and young professionals, the amount saved through an e-bike can make a big difference. Most students and young professionals are on a tight budget, and the money they save on transportation-costs can be used for other important expenses like rent, tuition, or student loan payments.
Another major advantage of e-bikes for students and young professionals is its convenience. E-bikes are easy to maneuver, which means that they can easily get around campus or the city without worrying about finding a parking spot.
Furthermore, e-bikes are relatively lightweight and easy to transport, which means that students and young professionals can easily take them with them on public transportation or in the trunk of a car. Additionally, e-bikes are often much cheaper to purchase upfront than a car or motorcycle, which makes them a more accessible option for those with limited financial resources.
IT’S FOLDABLE! Therefore, it not only saves up space during your travels but also when storing it at your apartment.
The elderly –
With soaring inflation, the amount of pension money elderly South Africans saved up is losing its value as each year comes and goes. Investing in an e-bike might seem like an unnecessary expense, but when taking into account how much e-bikes can save you in the long run, it is surely worthwhile.
In a sense, for elderly people e-bikes provide one of the only solutions, other than driving a car, for semi-long or short-distance commutes. E-bikes also provide a great way to get exercise without putting too much strain on their bodies. Traditional bicycles can be difficult for older adults to ride due to the physical effort required to pedal and maintain balance.
E-bikes, on the other hand, have a motor that assists the rider, making it easier to pedal which reduces the risk of losing balance. This means that older adults can enjoy the benefits of cycling without the risk of injury.
The exercise e-bikes provide also has a positive impact on cognitive and mental health much to the same extent as those using a standard bicycle, according to recent studies. Regular cycling improves cognitive function, reduces stress and anxiety, and improves overall well-being. With e-bikes, older adults can enjoy these benefits without having to worry about the physical effort required. These health and mental health benefits ensure that individuals keep a healthy lifestyle even when they are no longer as young as they use to be. Therefore, keeping a healthy lifestyle surely saves on medical costs in the long run.
Saving and Making Money in Numerous Industries
E-bikes can be used in a variety of industries, not only in saving on costs but also enabling you to tap into new markets:
- Retail and e-commerce: E-bikes can be used to deliver packages and online orders to customers within a certain radius of the retailer’s location. This is a cost-effective and sustainable solution for businesses that need to make deliveries in urban areas. E-bikes can navigate through traffic and narrow streets more easily than larger delivery vehicles, and they produce zero emissions. Additionally, they are cheaper to operate and maintain than traditional delivery vehicles, which can help businesses save money on fuel and maintenance costs.
- Healthcare: E-bikes can be used by healthcare workers to make house calls or deliver medical supplies. This can be especially useful in rural areas or areas with poor infrastructure, where traditional vehicles may have difficulty accessing. Additionally, e-bikes can help healthcare workers cover more ground, quicker and efficiently, allowing them to see more patients in a shorter amount of time. Furthermore, e-bikes are also beneficial for the health of healthcare worker as it keeps them active, reducing the risk of lifestyle-related disease. Therefore, personally saving them on medical costs in the long run.
- Rental service providers: E-bikes can be rented out to customers for transportation and sightseeing purposes. This can be a great way for businesses to offer a sustainable and affordable transportation option for tourists and people who live in urban areas. E-bikes are also a great way to enjoy the outdoors and stay active while exploring new places. In actual fact, utilising e-bikes in tourist hotspots will reduce congestion and pollution, therefore ensuring the longevity of such hotspots as destinations for tourists.
Power on… Power off…
Are you wondering if it is still a good idea to purchase an e-bike with the next scheduled load-shedding lurking around the corner every now and again? Well, don’t let it get you down because e-bikes are still an excellent option for those looking for a cost-effective and eco-friendly mode of transportation.
First and foremost, it’s important to remember that e-bikes can be charged during off-peak hours. It’s not like owning an electric car, e-bikes take less time and require less power to charge. Therefore, not only can you charge your e-bike during off-peak hours, the battery will still last for a considerable amount of time, similar to charging a cellphone overnight and using it during the day. And, if the worst-case scenario happens and the battery does run out, you can still pedal the bike to your destination.
The charging time for an LG Lithium-ion battery in an e-bike can vary depending on the capacity of the battery and the type of charger used.
LG Lithium-ion batteries typically have a capacity of between 400-500 watt-hours (Wh) and it’s safe to assume that it will take around 4 to 8 hours to fully charge an e-bike battery with a capacity of this range.
However, the charging time can be reduced if you use a faster charger. Some e-bikes come with a fast charger as standard, while others may require additional purchases. A fast charger can fully charge a LG Lithium-ion battery of an e-bike in2-4 hours.
Our e-bikes take approximately 4-6 hours to charge, and a full-battery can take you between 45-55km. Meaning that if you use it for short commutes, a fully charged battery will last you a few days.
MESO
R26,499
TROPO
16,499
THERMO
24,899
Less Environmental Costs
Okay… Okay… The “eco” in eco-friendly still refers to the ecological benefits. How can we talk about the benefits of an e-bike without mentioning its environmental benefits?
As Global warming is quickly taking effect around the world it is important to also consider reducing the environmental cost of traditional modes of transformation.
In addition to the financial benefits, e-bikes also emit no pollutants and make very little noise, which helps to reduce air and noise pollution. They also require less energy to produce than traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, which helps to reduce the carbon footprint of transportation. Making e-bikes a mode of transformation that reduces your financial and environmental impact. According to a study by the National Association of Manufacturers, e-bike sales in South Africa have increased by more than 50% over the past few years. This trend is expected to continue as more people become aware of the financial and environmental benefits of e-bikes.
The Electric Ending
Where to find an e-bike? View our range of e-bikes and choose the one that fits your needs. If you are an eco-warrior or just fighting the cost of living, an e-bike is what you need. If you are looking for a solution for your daily commutes, or to take control of your outdoor adventures on any terrain with added electric pedal power, we have what you need.