Christian Angelo - September 10, 2021
Electric bike and moped - you may think that these two vehicles look the same. In fact, there are states in the US that legally define both an electric bike and a moped in one category. The main difference between the two is that an electric bike is powered by electricity, while a moped is run by fuel.
An electronic bike, or e-bike, is basically a bicycle that is integrated with an electronic system - an electric motor that is no more than 750 watts, a battery, a sensor, and an electronic display. You still need to pedal to move forward but the electric motor provides additional power to assist you in pedaling.
There are two types of assistance: pedal assist or pedelec, and throttle mode. The pedal assists only activate when you push the pedals. While the throttle mode can be used to exclusively propel the bike forward without pedaling.
The integrated low-speed electric motor provides a power boost to help you climb hills, ride longer, and encourage more rides. E-bikes come in different shapes and sizes and types - commuter, mountain bike, cruiser, fat bike, touring, recumbent, tandem and others.
While most states have a distinct set of laws for an electric bicycle, states that do not implement one usually categorize it under the vehicle class where a moped or a motorized bicycle belongs.
A moped is a two-wheeled vehicle that looks like a scooter but should not be confused with such. Traditional mopeds are equipped with a low-powered engine and pedals that can help start the motor or be manually used in case the engine runs out. Mopeds nowadays are built with a step-through frame that may or may not include pedals.
In most cases, mopeds are equipped with a motor that is smaller than 50cc. They can reach up to a maximum speed of 28-31 miles per hour. The engine is the main provider of power and you need fuel to start it. How mopeds are defined in different states may depend on the engine size or maximum speed.
To drive a moped, you need to start the engine, and use the throttle to move forward.
To understand more about the differences and similarities between an ebike and a moped, let’s take a look at these specific products with similar prices:
RADROVER 6 PLUS
Price: $1,999 MSRP
Weight: 74.2 lbs
Top speed: 20mph
Motor: 750 watts
Average range: 25-45 miles
Wheel size: 26 in
KYMCO AGILITY 50
Price $1,879 MSRP
Weight: 203.9 lbs
Engine: 49cc
Max speed: 46mph-49mph
Before purchasing your new two-wheeled vehicle, you must first consider the reasons for buying.
Choose the electric bicycle if:
Choose the moped if:
Through the years, the moped has been the more preferred vehicle among commuters. The advent of electric bikes has allowed people to enjoy a more high-tech bicycling experience to ride easier on hills, enjoy the city, and have fun in parks and trails. The e-bike is more eco-friendly than the moped. Overall, buy the vehicle that perfectly suits your lifestyle, and allows you to enjoy most of its benefits.