eBikes : EU vs US

During my vacation, I had the chance to rent & ride a really nice eBike -- Riese & Müller is among the more expensive german brands and this model's configuration (with "Vario"gear & larger battery) currently retails for approx $7000 in the USA. : propelbikes.com/product/riese-muller-nevo. Their "entry-level" models costs more than $5500. All prices are without S&H and sales tax. This can add $700...$900.

On the right is a stark contrast :
- it costs less than $1500 (taxes & S&H included)
- it has a throttle to allow lazy cyclist to cruise around -- EU regulations prohibit that.
- It can go 20mph (32km/h) with and without pedaling, EU limits speed to 25km/h

Admittedly the R&M eBike has a really sophisticated motor control and it works seamlessly. Push harder on the pedal and the motor will proportionally increase power without surprises or jerky change of power. Pedal-assist settings allow to add between 50...370% power to yours.

The US (or should I say Chinese) eBike can accelerate very unexpectedly. For example, with "PAS 5", once you exceed 8mph, the motor will suddenly kick in and attempt to accelerate up to 20mph, regardless of how strong you push the pedals. Apparently, PAS sets the intended speed. You have to use PAS like a gear shift and start low and gradually increase setting to your desired speed.
This eBike also has a throttle and that is legal in the US ("Class 2"). A throttle is convenient to give you a boost without changing PAS or shifting gears, e.g. at intersections or inclines. And "Class 2" bikes are allowed to drive even without any pedal assist, solely controlled by the throttle.

To make the most given the strict regulations, european manufacturers equipped their bikes with a combination of 250W mid-drive motor plus a gearshift and custom-designed frame to fit motor + battery. This has many advantages -- but increase in cost is a serious disadvantage.
The chinese eBike places the 500...750W motor inside the rear hub (sorry, you can't see it in the photo) and such a motor is less complex/expensive. Manufacturers can use existing bike frames and just bolt on the battery and swap the rear wheel for one with a hub motor. Given lower manufacturing costs, it is no surprise these bikes cost a lot less.

IMO when cruising on mostly flat roads, both solutions work efficiently -- and the hub-drive beats the mid-drive in terms of costs and convenience. If you want, you can be lazy and drive with minimal effort and very little shifting.
Mid-drive bikes typically cost $3000 or more (plus tax & SH) and only if you frequently have to face hills, the mid-drive will win over a hub-drive.

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eBikes EU vs US