E-bike range claims are the new fuel economy figures: technically achievable, rarely what you get. A bike advertised with 60 km of range on paper can deliver half that on a hilly commute with the assist turned up, and that gap matters when you are counting on the battery to get you to work and back. Add a price spread from under $1,000 to over $6,000 and it is easy to buy the wrong bike twice.
There is a legal side too. Australia has firm limits on motor power and assisted speed, and a bike that ignores them is not a bicycle in the eyes of the law — it is an unregistered motor vehicle. This guide covers the rules, what battery numbers actually mean, what charging really costs, and five bikes matched to different riders.
The rules: 250W and 25 km/h
Australia recognises two types of legal e-bike. The main one is the pedalec, built to the European EN 15194 standard: a motor with a maximum continuous rated power of 250W that only assists while you pedal, and cuts out once you reach 25 km/h. The older category, still permitted in most states, is a 200W bike that can run off a throttle alone. Either way, no registration, licence or CTP insurance is required — you are legally a cyclist.
Anything above those limits is treated as a motorbike, and because these bikes cannot be registered, they are effectively illegal on public roads and paths. Two clarifications worth knowing: you can pedal faster than 25 km/h — the motor simply stops helping — and voltage is not power, so a 48V battery does not mean an illegal motor. A helmet is mandatory in every state and territory, and footpath rules vary around the country, so check your state's road authority before assuming you can ride on the footpath.
How to choose an e-bike
Fat tyre, commuter or folding?
Fat tyre bikes run tyres around 10 cm wide at low pressure. They float over sand, gravel and rough grass, soak up potholes and feel very planted, which suits heavier riders and anyone nervous about balance. The trade-off is weight and rolling resistance, which eats into range on tarmac.
Commuter and hybrid bikes are the efficient choice for sealed roads and shared paths: bigger wheels, narrower tyres, more upright positions. A step-through frame is worth considering if you ride in work clothes or do not want to swing a leg over a high top tube.
Folding e-bikes solve a storage problem. If you live in an apartment, mix riding with train travel, or want a bike in the caravan or boot, a 20-inch folder earns its place. Check the folded dimensions and the weight before you buy — most folding e-bikes weigh 20 to 25 kg, and you will be the one lifting it.
Battery range: what the numbers actually mean
Ignore the marketing range and look at watt-hours: volts multiplied by amp-hours. A 36V 10.4Ah battery holds about 375Wh; a 48V 10.4Ah battery about 500Wh. As a planning figure, budget 10 to 15Wh per kilometre depending on assist level, hills, headwind, rider weight and tyre type. That puts a 375Wh battery at roughly 25 to 37 km of realistic riding and a 500Wh battery at 33 to 50 km. Manufacturer claims are usually measured at the lowest assist setting on flat ground, so halving the brochure number is a sensible rule of thumb. And unlike an electric car, running flat is an inconvenience rather than a crisis — you just pedal a heavier bike home.
What charging really costs
Very little. A 500Wh battery holds half a kilowatt-hour, so a full charge from empty costs around 18 cents at a typical 35c/kWh electricity rate. Commuting five days a week works out to well under $5 a month. Most batteries take four to six hours to charge from a standard power point, so an overnight charge or a day at your desk covers it.
The real battery cost is replacement. Lithium batteries are typically good for 500 to 1,000 full charge cycles — usually three to five years of regular riding. You will extend that by storing the battery indoors out of summer heat, avoiding leaving it flat for weeks, and using the supplied charger only.
Brakes, gears and the parts that matter
An e-bike carries 20-plus kilograms of bike at a steady 25 km/h, so braking matters more than on a regular bicycle. Disc brakes should be considered the minimum, and mechanical discs are fine at this price point. A 7-speed Shimano drivetrain is the standard fit on sub-$2,000 e-bikes and is genuinely enough — the motor flattens the hills that would otherwise demand more gears. Check the rated load capacity if you plan to carry panniers or a child seat.
Keeping it yours: security basics
E-bikes are a theft target, so budget for a quality D-lock or folding lock rather than a cable, and lock the frame — not just a wheel — to something solid. Take the battery with you on longer stops; it is the most expensive component and usually keys out in seconds. Record the frame serial number, and check whether your home contents policy covers the bike away from home, because many require e-bikes to be listed separately.
The picks: five e-bikes by rider
Our current e-bike range centres on Fortis, and all five picks below are discounted at the time of writing.
Best for sand, gravel and rough ground
Fortis FatBro 48V 10.4Ah Fat Tyre Electric Bike — $1,734.30, down from $2,254.60 (a saving of just over $520). The 48V 10.4Ah battery is the biggest of this group at roughly 500Wh, which offsets the extra rolling resistance of fat tyres and keeps realistic range in the 35 to 50 km bracket. It suits riders on beach paths, gravel and rutted tracks, heavier riders, and anyone who values a stable, planted feel over outright pace.
Best folding bike for mixed surfaces
Fortis 20" Fat Tyre Foldable Electric Bike 7-Speed with Disc Brakes — $1,447.02, down from $2,076.76 (about $479 off). Folding convenience plus fat tyres is a caravanner's combination: it packs into a boot or van and then handles campground gravel and sandy tracks when you arrive. Disc brakes and a 7-speed Shimano drivetrain round out a bike that suits travellers and apartment dwellers who do not want to be limited to smooth paths.
Best value and best for shorter riders
Fortis 20" Foldable Electric Bike 7-Speed, Steel Frame — $1,197.74, down from $1,752.69 (about $404 off). The cheapest way into a legitimate e-bike here, and its geometry is specifically suited to riders around 155 cm who struggle to fit standard frames. The steel frame takes the sting out of rough bitumen, and the fold makes it a natural for train-plus-ride commuters — just note steel adds carrying weight.
Best commuter for riding in work clothes
Fortis 36V 10.4Ah Step Through Shimano Commuter Electric Bike — $1,582.30, down from $2,252.62 (a saving of nearly $520). The step-through frame means no leg-swing, which suits skirts, suits and anyone with hip or knee limitations, and the upright position keeps you visible in traffic. Its 375Wh battery comfortably covers a 10 to 15 km each-way commute on a single charge.
Best all-rounder
Fortis 27.5" 36V 10Ah Hybrid Pro Commuter Electric Mountain Bike — $1,577.74, down from $2,110.35 (about $487 off). The 27.5-inch wheels roll efficiently on tarmac but still cope with broken shared paths and weekend fire trails, making this the pick for riders who want one bike for the commute and the Sunday loop. It suits average-to-taller riders who find 20-inch folders cramped.
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Fortis FatBro 48V Fat Tyre | Sand, gravel and longest range | $1,734.30 |
| Fortis 20" Fat Tyre Foldable | Caravans and mixed surfaces | $1,597.50 |
| Fortis 20" Foldable, Steel Frame | Shorter riders and train commutes | $1,348.22 |
| Fortis Step Through Commuter | Upright commuting in work clothes | $1,732.78 |
| Fortis 27.5" Hybrid Pro | One bike for commutes and trails | $1,623.34 |
E-bike FAQs
Do I need a licence or registration to ride an e-bike?
No. A compliant e-bike — 250W pedal-assist cutting out at 25 km/h, or a 200W throttle bike where permitted — is legally a bicycle in Australia. You do need an approved helmet in every state, and normal road rules for cyclists apply.
Can I ride an e-bike in the rain?
Yes. Motors, batteries and controllers on reputable e-bikes are sealed against splash and spray. Avoid riding through deep water, do not hose the electrics directly, and let the bike dry before plugging in the charger.
How long before the battery needs replacing?
Most lithium e-bike batteries are rated for 500 to 1,000 full charge cycles, which translates to three to five years of regular use. Storing it indoors, away from heat, and not leaving it flat for long stretches will push it toward the upper end.
Is 25 km/h of assist actually enough?
For most riders, yes. It is faster than the average unassisted cycling pace, and because you barely slow down on hills or into headwinds, door-to-door times over 5 to 15 km are often competitive with driving in urban traffic. You can always pedal beyond 25 km/h — the motor just stops contributing.
Ready to ride
Match the bike style to where you actually ride, treat range claims with healthy scepticism, and budget for a proper lock from day one. Every bike above ships from our Sydney warehouse with a 1-year warranty and 30-day returns, and you can compare the full range in our electric bicycles collection.
Related guides
Prices correct at publication and may change. Stock levels update daily.