Are e-bikes sustainable? If you're looking for an answer to this question, you've come to the right place! Motorized bikes with an integrated electric motor are becoming increasingly popular - and have already become a loyal everyday companion for many people. According to the Federal Statistical Office just under 16 percent of German households own an e-bike or pedelec - and A total of 8.4 million electric bikes are said to be on the road in Germany.₁
A real boom that is ultimately good for your health and makes everyday life more flexible! But are the obviously electrifying bikes also environmentally friendly? After all, they are seen as the new symbol of sustainable mobility and promise to be an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional means of transportation.
In this article, I would now like to examine how sustainable e-bikes really are and how you can use them in the most environmentally friendly way possible. Let's go!
CO2 footprint of e-bikes: A comparison
To find out how environmentally friendly electric bikes actually are, the first step is to carry out a climate-related Comparison with the alternatives in road traffic an.
According to a study by the Vrije University in Brussels, a E-bike on average 7.8 grams of CO2 per kilometer ridden. For comparison: depending on whether electric, diesel or combustion engine, a car has CO2 emissions of around 120-170 grams per kilometer.
E-bikes are therefore much more climate-friendly than cars. E-bikes also perform well compared to public transport. The Public transport emits between 75 and 111 grams of CO2 kilometers off.
Also Bosch, a Leading manufacturer of e-bike systems, has together with TÜV Rheinland analyzed the CO₂ footprint of their products. The results also confirm the environmental friendliness of e-bikes compared to cars:
- Over its entire life cycle, an e-bike has a CO2 footprint of 299 kilograms on average. The battery plays the biggest part in this.
- A car with an internal combustion engine has a footprint of around 34,150 kilograms of CO2.
So the e-bike clearly wins the eco-comparison with the car. Regularly switching to an electric bike helps tremendously, Save CO2even if it is not completely emission-free itself.
The CO2 emissions during production are even a third higher than for the production of a conventional bicycle. This fact is mainly due to the Battery and the raw materials lithium and cobalt it contains attributable.
Other aspects of the carbon footprint of e-bikes: The charge
Of course, it also depends, from which source the electricity comes. For example, if you rely 100 percent on green electricity based on renewable energies you can charge your e-bike with almost zero emissions.
How climate- and environmentally friendly an e-bike actually is also depends on this, which bike you choose, as well as when and how you use it. So let's become a look at how we can use your ecological footprint or further reduce the "ecological tire footprint of your bike".
7 tips: How to increase the lifetime & sustainability of e-bikes
The disadvantages of e-bikes compared to non-motorized bikes are certainly that they are quite expensive, heavy and require a lot of maintenance. Nevertheless, they are health-promotingas more people get on the saddle, (continue to) pedal and go about their daily lives. flexible design.
Last but not least, electric bicycles play a decisive role for the Sustainable mobility transitionas they are among the most climate-friendly means of transportation.
However, we must not forget factors that are crucial for sustainability, such as the Model selection and the Longevity. The longer your bike is functional and used by you, the better. Fortunately, you have various options for keeping the Extend the service life of your e-bike in a targeted manner.
1. choose the right e-bike
It is important that you get the model that suits your own needs. Not everyone needs an e-bike with a powerful motor. Good advice before you buy will help you to avoid making the wrong purchase and protect the environment. The quality and durability of the e-bike components are also crucial.
2. save battery
The battery is at the heart of every e-bike and plays a decisive decisive for its service life. To extend them, you should consider the following things, among others:
- Avoid deep discharges: Always charge the battery before it is fully discharged.
- Do not overcharge the battery: When the bike is charged, remove the charging cable. (Over)charging can ultimately shorten the service life of the battery.
- Store the battery in a cool, dry place: Extreme temperatures and temperature differences in particular can damage the e-bike battery.
3. use consciously and maintain regularly
A well-maintained e-bike is more sustainable because it is lasts longer. Here are some tips:
- Drive looking ahead and avoid abrupt braking and acceleration.
- Use the battery not constantly in turbo mode.
- Have your e-bike regularly checked by Expert:innen Check and maintain.
- Clean your e-bike more often to remove dirt and moisture.
4. buy e-bikes used or refurbished
If you opt for the Buying a used e-bikeyou can avoid the CO2 emissions that occur during production. By buying it second-hand from a private source, you improve the carbon footprint of a bike by giving it a second life.
Of course, there are often concerns when buying from private individuals, as there are risks in terms of quality and reliability. Fortunately, there are now certified dealers whosustainable, refurbished e-bikes at used pricesoffer.
These bikes undergo a comprehensive inspection process in which all parts are checked and replaced if necessary. In the end, you receive a (Almost) new e-bike, at a significantly lower price.
5. charge with renewable energies
Charging your e-bike with renewable energy, such as solar or wind energye, significantly reduces CO2 emissions. Don't worry, you don't even need a solar system on the roof. Instead, you can simply and conveniently switch to a green electricity tariff* and sustainable electricity.
6. use e-bike sensibly
Personally, I don't (yet) have an e-bike because I don't have to cover such long distances in my everyday life and I'm still physically fit. So I do not need the e-bike at the moment and can use the natural resources for its production.
But even if you definitely need it, it should be used sensibly from a sustainability perspective. For example, it is healthier and more environmentally friendly if you continue to pedal hard and replaces car journeys with the e-bike - but not walking and short, conventional bike rides.
Tip: The ride on the e-bike, for example, makes the (long) Commute more sustainableif you would otherwise have taken the car. You can find out how else you can get to work in the most environmentally friendly way in the linked blog post.
7. dispose e-bike properly
Even at the end of an electric bike's life, you can still do something to ensure that it is as sustainable as possible. E-bikes contain valuable raw materials, which can be wonderfully recycled.
If it definitely cannot be repaired, you should contact your trusted dealer or the nearest dealer directly. Recycling center turn. There, the components of your electric bike are then recycled hydrometallurgically (by shredding) or pyrometallurgically (by melting).
E-bikes are sustainable when used wisely
Electric bicycles represent a significant step towards sustainable mobility. Although their production and use are not completely emission-free, they offer a significant advantage over conventional means of transportation. significantly better CO2 balance.
However, also decide the Use and care about how sustainable the e-bike actually is. Through conscious use, regular maintenance, the purchase of refurbished models and charging with renewable energy, you can actively contribute to further reducing the environmental impact of e-bikes - and transportation in general.
"Bicycles may change, but cycling is timeless."
Zapata Espinoza (more at Bicycle Quotes)
Do you have any questions, suggestions or further tips for using e-bikes in the most environmentally friendly way possible? Then I look forward to your comment.
Stay sustainable,
PS: Look you now with pleasure still further in the Blog about sustainable mobility um. There, for example, I also examined more closely whether E-scooter environmentally friendly are. Have fun!
References:
₁ Federal Statistical Office: Press release no. N025 dated April 26, 2023 - Bicycle retail sales increased by 2.4 percent in real terms in 2022 compared to the previous year, available at https://www.destatis.de/DE/Presse/Pressemitteilungen/2023/04/PD23_N025_45_63.html. [19.11.2023].
