How to Use the E-Bike Range Calculator

What the calculator models

The calculator predicts how far your e-bike can travel on a single charge using battery capacity, terrain, wind, speed, system weight, and ride assumptions.

Quick start

Use this seven-step calculator flow to get your first usable estimate fast.

• Upload a GPX file or load the demo route.
• Configure batteries, tires, and bike weight.
• Set rider weight, cruising speed, and departure time.
• Optionally add wind, trailer, solar, and motor limits.
• Review estimated range, then open analysis and the route map.

Bike setup is where battery, tire, and chassis inputs live after a route is loaded.

Speed slider

Average speed has an outsized impact on range because aerodynamic drag climbs quickly as pace increases.

Ride config holds average speed, rider weight, pedaling assist, and start time.

Bike weight

Use the e-bike's weight without removable batteries. Include permanently attached hardware such as the frame, motor, and fixed accessories.

Bike weight lives on bike setup, next to tire size and pressure.

Rider weight

Include clothing, gear, and anything you will actually carry on the ride so the model reflects real total system load.

Rider weight is set on ride config together with pacing and pedaling assist.

Battery configuration

Configure one or more batteries and set capacity, voltage, weight, and whether each pack is built into the bike.

• Capacity in Ah
• Voltage such as 36V, 48V, or 52V
• Battery weight in kg
• Built-in vs removable pack status
• Parallel vs series charging mode

Battery system on bike setup supports multiple packs, voltage, and parallel or series charging.

Start time

Departure time is used to estimate finish timing and becomes important once charging stops or route sequencing enter the plan.

Start time is optional on ride config and is used for weather sampling and trip planning.

Upload GPX route

Import routes from Strava, Komoot, Ride with GPS, or other mapping tools. The calculator extracts the route geometry and planning data automatically.

• Total distance
• Elevation profile
• Direction changes for wind modeling
• Segment data for deeper analysis

Step 1 loads a GPX file or the Athens–Glyfada demo route.

Route visualization

Once loaded, the map and route surfaces help you inspect how distance, climbing, battery status, and stop planning evolve across the ride.

• Route path and terrain context
• Battery percentage along the route
• Charging stop positions
• Segment-by-segment energy demand

The route map colors the path by battery state and marks start, finish, and charging stops.

Elevation profile

Climbs and descents drive major changes in battery use. The route profile helps you see why a short ride can still be very expensive energetically.

Results show estimated range next to route distance, elevation gain, and consumption.

Wind speed and direction

Set headwind, tailwind, or crosswind conditions to reflect the forecast and see how aerodynamic demand changes.

• Wind speed in km/h
• Compass-based wind direction

Advanced physics lets you override wind speed and direction on top of attached forecast data.

Trailer configuration

If you tow a trailer, include its weight and dimensions so drag and total system mass stay realistic.

• Trailer weight
• Dog or cargo weight
• Length, width, and height

Trailer weight, payload, and dimensions sit in the advanced physics cargo group.

Solar power

If your setup includes solar charging, add panel output and cloud coverage so the calculator can estimate how much energy you recover during the ride.

• Panel output in watts
• Cloud coverage from 0-100%

Solar input and cloud coverage are modeled as supplemental charging during the ride.

Pedaling time and motor power

Use these inputs to tell the model how much human contribution and peak motor support the ride is likely to involve.

• Pedaling contribution from 0-100%
• Maximum motor power based on your system

Max motor power is on advanced physics; pedaling assist is on ride config.

Estimated range

The overview gives the headline route outcome and the core metrics you need to judge whether the ride works.

• Total route distance
• Elevation gain
• Estimated ride range
• Average Wh/km
• Finish time

The results step leads with estimated range, consumption, battery pack summary, and weather.

Energy breakdown

Use the breakdown to see what proportion of battery demand comes from rolling resistance, drag, climbing, acceleration, and system losses.

After selecting segments, energy breakdown splits rolling resistance, drag, and climbing.

Trip timeline

The timeline translates the route into a ride plan, including progression, battery state, and likely rest or charging moments.

• Arrival timing by segment
• Battery percentage through the route
• Rest suggestions
• Charging opportunities

The route map includes a trip planner once the ride is long enough to need rest or charging stops.

Charging stops planning

If the route exceeds practical battery limits, the calculator helps surface where charging is required and how long it should take.

• Distance to critical battery level
• Recommended charge points
• Charge duration
• Updated post-charge timing

Charging and rest stops appear on the map when battery state or ride duration requires them.

Efficiency metrics

Use the efficiency layer to compare route quality, battery consumption density, and how close the ride is to ideal conditions.

• Wh/km consumption
• Efficiency percentage
• Range per battery capacity
• Comparison to ideal assumptions

Efficiency analysis shows Wh/km, best and worst segments, and how the selection compares to a typical baseline.

Detailed graphs

The graph suite helps you inspect power, battery state, speed efficiency, and route behavior over time rather than only at the summary level.

• Power consumption over time
• Battery timeline
• Speed vs efficiency views
• Comparative route analysis

Analysis opens with consumption, power, efficiency, slope, and a selectable elevation chart.

Segment-by-segment analysis

Route segments can be inspected individually so you can identify expensive climbs, inefficient transitions, or areas where setup changes would matter most.

Select segments from the chart or table to inspect exact distance, elevation, slope, and consumption.

Route insights

Use route-level recommendations to find opportunities around speed choice, energy-saving tactics, and weather-aware optimization.

The optimization engine estimates savings from speed, pedaling, and conservation changes.

Graphs, map, and trip plan

Keep the analysis, route map, and trip planner together when you need more than a single range number.

• Consumption, efficiency, gradient, battery, and weather chart modes
• Segment-level selection for deeper breakdowns
• Route map with battery-colored path
• Trip planner for longer rides that need rest or charging stops

Use the analysis charts and route map together instead of treating the ride as one average.

Getting accurate results

These habits make the model much more trustworthy.

• Upload a GPX route whenever possible.
• Use realistic rider, bike, and cargo weights.
• Set wind based on the actual forecast.
• Use the real battery specification, not a rough guess.
• Account for battery aging on older packs.

Maximizing range

If you need more distance, these levers are usually the first ones to move.

• Ride at moderate speeds around 20-25 km/h.
• Use lower assist when practical.
• Pedal actively to reduce motor load.
• Choose routes with fewer steep climbs.
• Take advantage of tailwind where possible.
• Carry only what you need.

Planning long rides

Long routes become easier when the plan includes margins and stops from the start.

• Use the trip timeline for stop planning.
• Identify charging options before departure.
• Carry extra batteries if your system allows it.
• Leave a 20-30% safety margin versus the headline result.
• Check weather and wind assumptions before the ride.
• Consider solar only when the setup truly supports it.

Interpreting results

Use the outputs as a high-quality planning model, not as a perfect guarantee.

• Treat real conditions as variable even when the model is strong.
• Use the energy breakdown to see what is limiting the route.
• Compare different route options with identical assumptions.
• Save useful configurations for repeat planning.