The electric vehicle (EV) revolution is in full swing, with major automakers like Tesla leading the charge. While EVs are lauded for their performance and technology, a closer look at power consumption versus speed reveals a surprising insight when we compare them to electric bikes (e-bikes). Often overlooked in the performance conversation, e-bikes, especially when considering models geared for higher speeds, present an interesting contrast to even the most efficient Tesla cars.
At lower speeds, as illustrated in the graph, the power consumption of an e-bike is almost negligible compared to a Tesla Model 3, which weighs approximately 3800lbs. Even a heavier e-bike, around 100lbs, barely registers on the scale at these speeds. However, as speed increases, the power consumption of both vehicles rises. The crucial point of divergence occurs as we approach higher speeds.
Remarkably, at 100 km/h (60 mph), a 3800lb Tesla Model 3 becomes significantly less efficient than a 100lb e-bike. The graph starkly illustrates this, showing that the Tesla’s power consumption at this speed is more than double that of the e-bike. This disparity widens further at even greater speeds.
This comparison begs the question: are we missing something in e-bike design and technology? While EV cars like Tesla are undergoing rapid advancements, the efficiency gains in both high-power and more modest e-bikes seem less pronounced in this high-speed context. Perhaps there’s room for innovation in e-bike motor technology and aerodynamic design to further optimize performance, especially as the demand for faster e-bikes grows. The data suggests that while e-bikes are incredibly efficient at lower speeds, exploring improvements for high-speed performance could unlock even greater potential in the e-bike revolution.
