Electric Bikes

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Representative e-bikes by type

Each table shows the spread within one type, lightest bike first. Figures are the makers’ published specs as of August 17, 2026, with weights rounded to 0.1 lb; the Santa Cruz drive units and the two Lectric weights were checked on October 9, 2026, the XP4 750’s on Lectric’s help center. Most model names link to the maker’s product page. A class listed as 1/2/3 or 2/3 means the bike can be set to more than one class. We have not ridden or tested these bikes. Prices change often, so each table is followed by its price range on the makers’ own sites, checked on October 15, 2026; the cards above still show each maker’s price as of August 17, 2026. The last column says whether the maker’s product page claims UL 2849 safety certification, explained under battery safety below.

Commuter and cruiser

Price range of the bikes in stock (maker list price, October 2026): $1,499 for the Aventon Soltera 3 ADV and Velotric Tempo to $6,199 for the Santa Cruz Skitch GX AXS, checked on October 15. The Himiway A3 ($999), Magicycle CT-1 ($1,599) and Magicycle Cruiser Pro step-over ($2,399 for the bike alone) were listed as sold out.

Folding

Price range of the bikes in stock (maker list price, October 2026): $1,099 for the Heybike Mars 3.0 to $1,499 for the Velotric Fold 1 Plus, checked on October 15. The Himiway B3 was listed at $999 but sold out.

Fat tire, off-road and mountain

Price range (maker list price, October 2026): $1,199 for the Heybike Saturn with one battery ($1,499 with two) to $7,849 for the Santa Cruz Bullit 70, checked on October 15. The other five run from $1,499 (Himiway D5) to $3,999 (Himiway D7 Pro).

Electric trikes

Price range (maker list price, October 2026): $1,499 for the Lectric XP Trike2 to $1,999.99 for the Mooncool TK2 Pro, checked on October 15. Emojo lists the Dexter at $1,599 with one battery and no assembly, and charges $599 more for a second battery and $200 for full assembly.

How to compare e-bikes on these numbers

Battery size predicts range better than range claims

A range claim holds only for the test behind it. Velotric, for example, quotes the Tempo’s 60-mile pedal-assist range for a 187-lb rider in Eco mode on flat roads. Unless two makers test the same way, their range claims don’t compare. Watt-hours do. The batteries above run from 366.8 Wh (Aventon Soltera 3 ADV) to 1,040 Wh (the two Magicycle bikes). All else equal, a 720 Wh pack holds almost twice the energy of the Tempo’s 374 Wh and should go close to twice as far. The battery guide covers voltage, amp-hours and replacement.

Motor watts need a second look

The Motor column gives each maker’s main rating, and many makers also quote a higher peak: Velotric lists the Tempo at 350 W with a 650 W peak, and Heybike lists the Saturn at 1,000 W continuous with an 1,800 W peak. Aventon rates the Ramblas ADV’s mid-drive at 250 W sustained and 750 W peak. A mid-drive works through the bike’s gears, so its rating doesn’t compare directly with a hub motor’s (see hub motor vs mid-drive). Federal product-safety law defines a low-speed electric bicycle as one with a motor of less than 750 W and a top speed under 20 mph on motor power alone (15 U.S.C. 2085), and California’s definition also draws the line at 750 W. The Heybike Saturn and Himiway D7 Pro list 1,000 W, above that line, so check how your state treats them before riding on bike paths or trails.

Class and top speed decide where you can ride

In states using the three-class system, Class 1 is pedal assist to 20 mph, Class 2 adds a throttle with the same 20 mph cutoff, and Class 3 is pedal assist to 28 mph with a speedometer (California Vehicle Code 312.5). The same section requires makers to fix a permanent label to each e-bike showing its class number, top assisted speed and motor wattage. Rules vary by state and local adoption, especially on paths and trails. Several bikes above are listed as Class 2 with a 28 mph top speed, such as the Aventon Pace 5 REC Step-Through. Class 2 assistance stops at 20 mph, so the higher figure can only apply in another setting. Velotric, for one, ships the Tempo set to 20 mph and lets the rider switch between Class 1, 2 and 3. A bike set to assist past 20 mph no longer fits Class 2. Heybike says the Saturn can be set as high as 40 mph where permitted, which is beyond all three classes. E-bike classes explained has the details.

Weight decides how you store and carry it

Listed weights run from 30.0 lb (Santa Cruz Skitch GX AXS) to 103 lb (Heybike Saturn). Folding saves space, not lifting: the folders above weigh 60.6 to 75 lb, and Lectric lists the XP4 750 at 62 lb with its 9 lb battery removed. If the bike must go up stairs or onto a car rack, check its weight against the rack’s per-bike limit.

Trikes and cargo bikes

The trikes above weigh 86 to 99.2 lb and top out at 14 to 20 mph, and their makers say all five fold for storage. Among cargo bikes, Himiway lists the C3 at 960 Wh, 750 W and 80 lb, and Velotric lists the GoMad at 801.6 Wh, 750 W and 77 lb; the other five cargo bikes we track are Rad Power models.

Battery safety and UL 2849

What the certification covers

UL 2849 is the safety standard for an e-bike’s electrical system. UL’s published scope includes the drive unit, battery, battery management system, wiring and power inlet, plus an off-board charger, and leaves out the frame and other mechanical parts unless stated otherwise. UL 2271 covers a battery pack on its own. CPSC asks riders to use e-bikes and batteries certified to the applicable voluntary safety standards.

The UL 2849 column in the tables records what each maker’s product page said on October 15, 2026. “Yes” means the bike’s own description, specs or FAQ says, or links a certificate showing, that the bike or its electrical system is certified to UL 2849. “Badge only” applies to the three Magicycle bikes: their descriptions and specs don’t mention the standard, and the claim appears only as a UL 2849 logo over the product photos and a “UL2849 Certification” badge that Magicycle also shows on accessory pages, next to notes such as free shipping. On Himiway’s pages the only claim is a site menu line, “UL-certified battery and electrical systems,” which names no standard, and Himiway’s safety page says most of its e-bikes are certified to UL 2849 without listing which. These are the makers’ statements; we have not verified each certificate with the testing lab.

Where it is required

New York City’s Local Law 39 of 2023 requires e-bikes sold, leased or rented in the city to be certified by an accredited testing laboratory to UL 2849, and batteries to UL 2271. Laws passed in 2024 added that online sellers must post the certification information on the product page (NYC Council).

In California, since January 1, 2026, an e-bike may be sold or leased only if its battery has been tested by an accredited laboratory to a standard referenced in UL 2849 or EN 15194, or another the state sets by rule. The lab’s mark and the standard must be permanently fixed to the bike, its electrical system or the battery, except on secondhand sales, and a charger sold for a particular e-bike must be certified for use with it (Health and Safety Code 26302).

Charging and storage

CPSC says many of the lithium-ion battery home fires and deaths it has seen happened at night, while batteries were charging and families were asleep (CPSC micromobility guidance). Its advice, together with that of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA):

• Be present while the battery charges: never charge it while you sleep or are away from home, and unplug it when charging is done.
• Use only the charger that came with the bike or one its maker recommends, and only a replacement or spare pack tested and approved for that bike. Avoid packs reworked by unqualified people or built from used cells.
• Stop using a battery that shows damage, such as an unusual smell, excessive heat, popping sounds, swelling or a change in color, and leave repairs to a qualified professional.
• NFPA names outdoors, away from any structure or enclosure and out of direct sun, as the safest place to charge. Do not keep batteries somewhere very hot or cold, or where they block the only way out of a room.
• Take dead batteries to a battery recycler or hazardous waste collection site, never the trash or general recycling, and report battery problems to CPSC at SaferProducts.gov.