How Fast Do Electric Bikes Go Without Pedaling?

Commuting to work on a bicycle could be an excellent way to lower your carbon footprint, avoid frustrating traffic jams, improve your fitness, and enjoy the fresh air!

But pedaling several miles can leave you feeling sweaty and overheated, which isn’t an ideal way to start your workday.

For that reason, many people are opting to invest in electric bikes. Unlike conventional bicycles, e-bikes can provide plenty of pedal-free power to help you reach your destination.

But how fast do electric bikes go without pedaling?

Average Speed of Electric Bikes (Without Pedaling)

So, how fast do electric bikes go without pedaling? Electric bikes may come in a wide range of designs and sizes, but most feature a maximum top speed of 20mph (32kph).

This average applies to pedal assist modes (which add a little power to your pedaling) and throttle-only modes (no pedaling required).

But the top speed of your e-bike will vary depending on its brand and model. If you’re looking to get to your destination without having to pedal, you’ll want to consider these factors before choosing an electric bike.

Comparing the Speeds of Popular Electric Bikes

Are you wondering how quickly you can zoom around on a throttle electric bike or an e-bike that offers pedal assist and battery-only modes?

If so, you might find that comparing some of the most popular electric bikes (and their speeds) is the best way to find out!

The below chart is an in-depth breakdown of the maximum speeds of some of the most popular e-bikes:

Brand Name	Model	Maximum Speed (Throttle Only)
Aventon	Level.2	28mph (45kph)
Batch	Step-Thru	20mph (32kph)
Batch	Step-Thru Plus	20mph (32kph)
Heybike	Cityscape	19mph (30kph)
Heybike	Mars	20mph (32kph)
Jetson	Bolt	16mph (25kph)
Jetson	Journey	16mph (25kph)
Lectric	XP Step-Thru 2.0	20mph (32kph)
LeMond	Prolog	20mph (32kph)
Rad Power Bikes	RadRunner 2	20mph (32kph)
Rad Power Bikes	RadCity 5 Plus	20mph (32kph)

Read More: Do Electric Bikes Charge As You Pedal?

Factors That Can Impact Electric Bike Speeds

An electric bike with a listed maximum speed of 10mph may end up traveling faster or slower depending on several factors, including:

• Terrain elevation
• Terrain condition
• Bike condition
• Current battery charge
• Rider weight

Understanding how these factors impact e-bike speeds is crucial, especially if you’re hoping to use an electric bike for commuting.

So, before you wonder why your e-bike isn’t speeding along quite as quickly as you’d hoped, review the factors influencing electric bike speeds.

Terrain Elevation

If you’ve ever hiked or bicycled up a steep mountain face, you’re likely familiar with how challenging it is! After all, gravity naturally pulls objects toward the lowest possible point, and riding or walking uphill means fighting that force.

While e-bikes can make riding up inclines much easier, uphill rides can significantly affect an electric bike’s top speed and battery life. So, if your commute to work or the grocery store involves plenty of uphill travel, you can expect to experience a slightly lessened average top speed.

The opposite is also true! You might enjoy higher-than-average top speeds when traveling downhill, even while your feet are off the pedals.

Read More: What Happens When An Electric Bike Runs Out Of Battery?

Terrain Condition

The terrain type you ride on can also impact your pedal-free riding speed. After all, rough unpaved terrain (gravel, dirt, and grass) is more punishing on bike tires than smooth asphalt or concrete. 

If you enjoy off-road cycling, you’ll likely want to invest in an e-bike designed for such adventures. These bikes often feature thicker tires designed to handle rough terrain, ensuring that you can enjoy top speeds while enjoying your pedal-free ride across unpaved surfaces.

Bike Condition

If your bike looks a little worse for wear, it might struggle to maintain top speeds. 

For example, suppose your electric bike has flat or under-inflated tires, or its wire connections are frayed. In this case, the e-bike’s speed is likely going to suffer.

So, if you’re hoping to enjoy consistent top speeds while riding your electric bike, you’ll want to ensure your bike’s tires are fully inflated and free of punctures. You’ll also want to check the bike’s electrical connections for frays or disconnections.

Of course, maintaining a full battery charge is just as crucial!

Current Battery Charge

Unless your e-bike is equipped with a small solar panel (allowing it to charge while sitting in the sunlight), you’ll need to remember to charge it after each use. Traveling several miles at the top speed each time you ride will increase the frequency of your charge.

Otherwise, you may find that your electric bike fails to reach its maximum speed, especially when you’re not pedaling! 

It’s also worth noting that many e-bikes begin to run more slowly during throttle-only mode when their battery level falls to 20% or lower. This change results from the battery’s inability to produce enough power to maintain high speeds.

Rider Weight

Like conventional bikes, e-bikes have rider weight limits. Exceeding these limits can cause tires to deflate more quickly, but it can also reduce the maximum speed of your bike.

Before investing in an electric bike, you’ll want to research its weight limit. If you’re planning on wearing a backpack while riding your bike or using your bike to bring home groceries, you’ll also want to factor in that weight.

For example, if you weigh 160lbs (72.57kg) and you intend to bring home 50lbs (22.67kg) of groceries using your bike, you’ll need to choose a bike with a weight limit of 210lbs (95.25kg) or greater.

Final Thoughts

So, how fast do electric bikes go without pedaling? Most electric bikes can reach 20mph (32kph) speeds, with or without pedaling.

The precise pedal-free maximum speed of any given e-bike depends on its brand and model, as well as several environmental and mechanical factors.

For example, an electric bike can exceed the 20mph average if traveling down a steep hill. It might also move more slowly if climbing a hill.

Terrain conditions (rough versus smooth surfaces), the bike’s currency battery charge, and the rider’s weight can also affect an e-bike’s speed.