How Much Could You Really Save With an eBike in Australia?
GO Save: How Much Could You Really Save With an eBike in Australia?
Cost of living everywhere is squeezing Australians: rising fuel bills, insurance hikes, parking fees, and steep repair costs. If you’re looking for ways to trim those expenses, switching some trips from car to eBike could be one of the smartest moves you make this year. Here’s a deep dive into what “savings” actually look like — with real numbers, practical comparisons, and ideas you can use now.
What You’re Really Paying for with a Car
Cars aren’t just expensive at the pump. The true cost of car ownership includes:
Fuel/petrol — huge expense, especially when petrol is ~$2.00+ per litre.
Insurance, registration, licensing — these are mandatory and recur yearly.
Depreciation & financing — value drops, plus interest if financed.
Maintenance & repairs — oil changes, tyres, brakes, fluid replacements, and occasional big repairs.
Parking, tolls & traffic time — time lost, money spent in parking, and stress — all add up.
What Riding an eBike Costs
Here’s how eBikes stack up in running costs:
Charging electricity — battery recharging typically uses a fraction of what petrol costs.
Lower maintenance — fewer moving parts, simpler drivetrain, no oil changes.
No registration/licensing (usually) — depends on state laws.
Parking & congestion — often much easier, sometimes free, less time stuck.
Depreciation — eBikes lose value too, but usually more slowly; batteries may need replacement after several years, depending on use.
Australian Scenario: Car vs eBike
Melbourne Comparison
Let’s use a realistic commuting + school run example for someone living in Melbourne to see how much savings might be possible.
Assumptions:
Daily round-trip = 15 km, 5 days/week.
Car fuel consumption ≈ 8 L/100 km.
Petrol price = AUD $1.95 per litre (ULP 91) in Melbourne.
Electricity cost = 25 c/kWh (roughly mid-Melbourne residential single-rate tariff).
eBike battery usage ~0.5 kWh for ~30 km, charged twice/week.
Maintenance estimates lower for eBike; moderate for car.
Cost Comparison Table
| Cost Type | Car | eBike |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost | 15 km × 5 days × ~52 = 3,900 km/year. At 8 L/100 km = ~312 L/year. × $1.95/L = AUD ~$608/year | Electricity: ~1.0 kWh/week (charging twice) = ~52 kWh/year. × $0.25/kWh = AUD ~$13/year |
| Maintenance & servicing | AUD ~$800-1,200/year (oil, tyres, wear, brakes, etc.) | AUD ~$150-300/year (tyres, minor servicing, brake pads, etc.) |
| Registration / Insurance / Licensing | AUD ~$1,000+ depending on car type and state vehicle fees | Usually none, or minimal if eBike registration rules apply locally |
| Parking / Traffic / Time Cost | Could be AUD ~$500-1,000/year or more depending on area, parking rates, time in congestion | Much lower; often free parking for bikes, less idling in traffic |
Estimated Annual Savings in Melbourne Scenario:
With this kind of usage, switching many of the short car trips to an eBike could save you AUD $1,500-$3,000+ per year (depending on how much you use the car now, the cost of fuel, parking, etc.).
Other Ways The Savings Add Up
Second car replacement — Many families who drop their second car or reduce its use see huge savings. Fuel, insurance, maintenance, servicing — all of those go down.
Gym fees & public transport — If you ride instead of drive to gym or public transport hubs, you may save subscriptions, fares, or ride share costs.
Health savings — Physical activity helps reduce potential medical costs (doctor visits, medications) over time.
Time saved — Less time stuck in traffic, in parking, or waiting — which means more productive hours, less stress.
What To Check Before You Switch
To make sure you get the full benefits of GO Save, consider:
Your distance & route: hills, steep climbs, weather, and availability of safe paths affect comfort.
Upfront cost: a good quality eBike (or cargo bike) has higher initial cost; battery quality matters.
State/local incentives: some councils or states may offer grants, rebates or discounts on eBike purchases.
Charging setup: having easy access to charging at home or work is useful.
How often you’ll use it: more use = more savings (both money & health).
Why It Matters Right Now
Fuel prices are volatile; cost of living is rising across the board. Every dollar saved counts. If more people replaced even a portion of their car trips with eBikes, those savings would ripple across budgets, health, and quality of life.
For parents trying to balance work, school runs, groceries, and family time — GO Save isn’t just nice to have. It’s practical.
Try it Yourself
Want to find out what GO Save could mean for you?
👉 Book a free test ride with Dutch Cargo — we’ll help run the numbers for your distance, your car, and your city.
👉 Share this post with someone who’s paying too much at the pump.
👉 Start replacing one car trip a week with eBike and see your savings begin immediately.
