Leasing an electric bicycle: what you need to know

Got your heart set on leasing an electric bicycle? Great! But which one should you lease? What does leasing an electric bicycle cost? And why lease an electric bicycle instead of buying one? Our experts can answer all of these questions in a clear and understandable way.

The benefits and advantages of leasing an electric bicycle

Leasing an electric bicycle comes with a whole host of advantages, but the biggest advantage of all is definitely the tax aspect. Use our calculator and you can quickly work out your lease price. That way, you can see straight away the tax advantage you will receive by leasing a bicycle.

And don't forget, cycling to work will bring you lots of benefits too. Yes, even those who pedal to work on an e-bike will be doing a great deal to improve their health. And your health won't be the only thing to benefit. Your finances will too. Because with the bicycle allowance, it won't be long before you've clocked up a nice sum of money, net.

The fact that leasing an electric bicycle can change your life is something that Helena also knows. Find out here how she swapped her car for a bicycle.

But which electric bicycle should you lease?

There's such a wide choice of electric bicycles to lease: Riese & Müller, Stromer, Trek, Moustache, Gazelle, Cowboy, etc. But if you don't know much about bikes, leasing an electric bicycle from that wide selection will feel overwhelming. But don't worry, we've put together some specific tips to guide you through that maze of choices.

Leasing an e-bike? 5 things to pay attention to

Are you going to lease an electric bicycle through your employer? If so, it's important to consider the features you want your electric bicycle to have. That way, you'll be fully prepared when you get in touch with your bicycle dealer and you'll be able to find the bicycle that truly fits your needs much more quickly. And the golden tip for finding the e-bike that suits you is: test, test and test again!

1. Chain or belt?

A bicycle chain is cheaper and easier to repair, but it needs to be properly maintained if you want your electric bicycle to keep on moving. And a belt? Belts are very low-maintenance, but in many cases, you'll pay a premium for them. Don't mind maintaining your chain? If so, a conventional cycle chain is definitely a good choice. Prefer not to carry out too much maintenance on your electric bicycle? In that case, the smart choice would be to opt for a belt.

2. Automatic or manual gear shifting?

With manual shifting, you really do have complete control over your bicycle and can adjust the gears to your riding style. Opt for automatic gear shifting though and you needn't be concerned about changing gears and can enjoy a worry-free cycling experience. If you want to lease an e-bike, our advice is to test out both systems, so you can find out for yourself what feels best for you

3. Bicycle type: city bike, road bike, gravel bike, mountain bike, speed pedelec...

The type of bicycle you choose will depend entirely on what you want to use it for. City bikes are ideal for daily commuting, mountain bikes make it easier to go off-road and speed pedelecs will get you to your destination in no time.

4. Suspension for extra comfort or no suspension at all

Having suspension, or deliberately opting for a bicycle without suspension will completely change your cycling experience. While some people will find it more pleasant to cycle without suspension, others enjoy the comfort that suspension can bring. Once again, it's a case of testing, testing and testing again. Only then will you feel what's right for you.

5. Design and colour

The colour and design of your electric bicycle will obviously have no effect on its performance, but they will affect your cycling experience. Because to be honest, you'll just feel totally at ease riding around on an e-bike that's truly your thing.

So there are lots of things to think about before you go ahead and lease an electric bicycle.

Seek some inspiration that will help you when leasing your electric bicycle

To help you out, we checked which e-bikes are leased from o2o most often. After all, if so many people are leasing a particular e-bike, it must be good, right? Below, you can find details of a few blog posts that are sure to inspire you if you're looking to lease an e-bike:‍

• ‍The 8 most popular bicycle models‍
• The 9 most popular bicycle brand
• Lsasing a speed pedelec: the 8 most-chosen brands

E-bike leasing: battery capacity for your electric lease bicycle

Planning to lease an electric bicycle through your employer in Belgium? If so, it's also best to check which battery will be suitable for the distance you're planning to travel. The larger the battery capacity, the further you can ride on a single charge. But the larger the battery, the heavier and more expensive your bicycle will also become.

In general, the guidelines below apply, but it's important to note that a host of other factors will affect how long your battery lasts. These include your weight, the terrain and surface you're cycling on, the weather conditions, your personal riding style and the assistance mode that you're using (eco, sport, turbo...).

• ‍250Wh battery: at the lowest assistance setting, your range will be between 25 and 50 km.‍
• 00Wh battery: an average range of between 40 and 80 km.‍
• 500Wh battery: a range of about 50 to 100 km.‍
• 625Wh battery: travel up to 125 km on a single charge at the lowest assistance setting.‍
• 700Wh and above: cover distances of over 140 km at lower assistance levels.

Bosch has a calculator that you can use to you check what the range is for your ride. Curious to find out how to maintain your e-bike's battery properly? If so, read: ‘How do I get the most out of my e-bike battery’

What does leasing an electric bicycle cost?

The cost of leasing an electric bicycle will depend on which one you choose, of course. After all, the cost of leasing an e-bike will differ according to the price category. You can lease an e-bike from a lower price category or a higher price category. By opting to lease an electric bike, you will enjoy a tax advantage of up to 40%.

The list price of electric bicycles in the more affordable segment is between 2000 and 3000 euros. Leasing a favourably priced electric bicycle for a woman or a man will cost you between 30 and 40 euros net per month. In the more expensive segment, you will find e-bikes with a list price of between 4,000 and 6,000 euros. In that case, the net price of leasing an e-bike will come to between 50 and 70 euros.

You can also lease a speed pedelec. The purchase prices of a fast electric bicycle of that type tend to be slightly higher at between 5,000 and 10,000 euros. Your net lease price will then be between 60 and 110 euros.

Already know which bicycle you want to lease? Our calculator makes it easy to calculate your lease price when leasing an electric bicycle.

Should I lease an electric bicycle or buy one?

Still unsure whether to lease or buy an electric bicycle? The answer is simple: if you can lease one through your employer, you should definitely choose leasing. The reason for that is because you will enjoy a tax advantage of up to 40% when compared to a private purchase.

What is more, by leasing an electric bicycle, you will also receive a tailor-made lease package that includes cover for damage and theft and a maintenance budget for your e-bike. Bicycle leasing therefore provides lots of benefits that you as an employee can enjoy to the full.

Be sure to read our blog, ‘To buy or to lease a bicycle - which is cheaper?’.