E-bike vs e-scooter for delivery gig

Starting a delivery gig can be tricky. It's not straightforward to decide which mode of transportation to use in order to get the most out of delivery work. The final choice between an e-bike and an e-scooter is one that many new riders face.

Electric vehicles, such as electric bikes and scooters, were a new talking point about a decade ago.

Nowadays, they are a standard way of commuting in urban areas such as NYC, which has about 65,000 e-bikes on its streets!

However, as e-bikes and e-scooters are so similar, many delivery riders are confused as to which one is a better choice for their work.

We’ve done extensive research and talked to several delivery workers to solve this dilemma.

This is what we’ve found out.

E-bike vs e-scooter for delivery gig

General overview

Feature	E-bike	E-scooter
Legal speed limit	25mph	15mph
Power	250-750W	250-1000W
Range per charge	20-90 miles	10-60miles
Charing time	4-8 hours	4-8 hours
Average cargo capasity	220-350lbs	175-220lbs
Licence requirment (NYC)	No	No

Performance and power

One of the main questions is whether e-scooters or e-bikes are more powerful. The answer to this might be more complicated than many people think.

In general, both have motors that have approximately the same power.

However, e-bikes have motors that assist in pedaling to a certain extent, while e-scooters work on their own without any riders’ assistance.

As a result, e-scooters can have higher peak motor power and faster acceleration, making them powerful for riding short distances.

On the other hand, e-bikes, while having slower acceleration, are more efficient for longer ranges.

In terms of raw motor power, some high-end e-scooters may be more powerful than typical electric bikes. However, when it comes to practicality, the two are pretty similar, with each having its own advantages based on intended use.

Speed

The speed can be important when delivering orders at distant locations. Having a vehicle with a proper speed can help you save time and complete each order as quickly as possible.

While the speed of both electric bikes and scooters varies from the model, in general, e-bikes can reach a speed of up to 28 mph.

E-scooters are faster, and some high-performance models can reach speeds of up to 40 mph.

However, there are some legal limits in NYC delivery riders should be mindful of, as they are even more important than the limits of the vehicles themselves.

While the allowed speed might depend on their class, most e-bikes suitable for delivery riders are allowed to ride at the speed of 25 mph.

E-scooters, on the other hand, are allowed to ride at the speed of just up to 15 mph.

Also, both e-bikes and e-scooters are allowed to ride on bike lanes, as well as on streets with speed limits no greater than 30 mph.

Every city has different set of regulations for e-bikes and scooters.

Eco-friendliness

Determining which one is more eco-friendly is another daunting task. Both operate on electricity and don’t use any additional fuel.

E-scooters typically consume less energy per mile, due to their lighter weight and smaller motors.

However, they also need to be charged more often than e-bikes, which increases overall energy consumption.

Also, they are typically made of fewer materials and have a simpler construction, so their manufacturing has a lower environmental impact.

At the same time, they have a fairly short lifespan, so you might need to replace them more often.

E-bikes consume more energy due to their larger motors and batteries, but if you use a high level of pedal assist option, you can reduce the consumption.

Similarly, while their manufacturing is more complex and requires more materials, they have a longer lifespan, and you likely won’t need to replace them for a while.

As a result, both are considered equally eco-friendly.

Convenience and Practicality

One of the main reasons why a delivery rider would opt for an e-scooter or an e-bike instead of an electric motorcycle is the convenience of these two vehicles.

Both are compact and lightweight, and you can take them inside when you’re not using them.

E-scooters are generally more compact, and many are foldable, unlike bikes that are a bit more robust.

However, the cost of this is safety, as e-scooters are typically less safe.

Also, e-scooters don’t require any pedaling, so they won’t cause fatigue - although this is nullified by the fact you have to stand on them, which can be tiresome during long distances. Finally, many e-scooters don’t have any room for cargo.

While e-bikes require pedaling (except in throttle mode, which allows the motor to take over completely) and are a bit larger, they are safer, more comfortable, and more suited for rough terrains.

Once again, it all comes down to your specific needs. If you’re having to carry large orders long distances throughout the day, which is typically the case in NYC, you might find e-bike more suitable.

Cost and Maintenance

E-scooters have a more affordable initial cost and lower maintenance cost. This is one of the main reasons many beginner delivery riders opt for them.

However, they have a fairly short lifespan, and you’ll likely have to buy more than one during your career.

E-bikes have higher initial costs, but can be more cost-effective over time as they are less likely to malfunction.

Whizz offers delivery riders to rent a bike at an affordable cost starting at just $169 a month.

This is just $5.6 per day, much less than an average delivery rider makes an hour!

E-bike Pros and Cons

As you can see, e-bikes have many benefits over e-scooters. This includes:

• Durability.

• Higher comfort levels due to a saddle.

• You can ride them at higher speeds.

• Higher safety.

• More suitable for longer rides.

• A greater range per charge.

Of course, they also have their set of cons, such as:

• They are bulkier

• Higher initial costs

• Require pedaling

E-scooter Pros and Cons

E-scooters have many good sides, and this includes:

• They are lightweight and foldable

• More suited for shorter rides.

• Affordable initial costs and maintenance.

• Don’t require any pedaling or additional physical work.

• They are more suited for narrow streets as they take up less space.

Some of their weaker points are:

• Lower comfort levels for long distances.

• Typically, they don’t come with any room for cargo.

• Low range per charge.

• Shorter lifespan.

Related: Uber Eats vs Doordash for delivery riders

The Verdict

E-bike vs e-scooter – it’s almost impossible to say which one is generally better. Both are good for certain types of riders, and have some features they excel at.

However, for cities such as NYC, getting an e-bike might be a better option for your food delivery business.

This is because most delivery riders will need to ride longer distances and take longer working hours.

A standard e-scooter might not be enough for this, and a proper e-bike, such as Storm-2, might be more suitable.

On the other hand, e-scooters might be better for smaller cities, where you wouldn’t need to travel greater distances to reach your delivery location.

In the end, of course, it all comes down to your needs and preferences.