A lot of households run a second car just for short trips. The daily commute. The school run. Weekend errands. It feels necessary until you actually work out what it costs. On a 5-mile commute, the e-bike vs second car numbers are not even close. Here is the real 2026 math.
What a 5-Mile Car Commute Costs Per Year
A 5-mile one-way commute is 10 miles a day, 5 days a week, around 2,600 miles per year. Here is what that looks like for a typical compact car.
Gas: The U.S. Energy Information Administration puts the 2026 average retail gasoline price at around $3.70 per gallon. A compact car averaging 30 mpg in city driving uses about 87 gallons on this commute. That is roughly $320 per year in gas alone.
Maintenance: Oil changes, tire rotations, and brake checks average $500 to $700 per year for a regularly driven car.
Those two costs alone already put you past $800 per year, and that is before parking, insurance, or depreciation.
What the Same E-Bike vs Second Car Commute Costs
The U.S. residential electricity average is around $0.19 per kWh in 2026.
Most Riding Times bikes run on 48V or 60V battery systems. A full charge costs between $0.20 and $0.30 depending on the model. Daily charging for a full year comes to around $75 to $100.
Basic upkeep like tire pressure checks, brake checks, and occasional chain lube runs around $50 to $100 per year.
Total annual running cost on a Riding Times eBike: under $200.
On gas and maintenance alone you are saving over $600 per year. Depending on your parking and insurance situation in your state and city, the savings go further.
Our Lineup: A Riding Times eBike for Every Commuter
GT33 : For riders who carry more
The GT33 is our cargo commuter. Reinforced frame, extended seat, side bag mounts, and a spare battery rack for up to 99 miles of dual battery range. Max load is 330 lbs. Top speed is 31 mph with three throttle modes. Starts at $899.
Our Z8 Pro: The Moped-Style Daily Rider
The Z8 Pro is lighter and more agile. Dual 48V 15.6Ah battery, Shimano 7-speed gears, memory foam seat, and up to 150 miles on pedal assist. Multi-class 1 to 3 compatible. Currently on sale at $899.
GT73 and GT73 Pro : For balanced performance commuting
The GT73 hits 28 to 37 mph with a 2400W peak motor, dual 48V 18.2Ah batteries, and up to 155 miles on pedal assist. A solid all-rounder for commuters who want real power without going full Pro. Starts at $1,399.
The GT73 Pro steps it up with a 3000W peak motor, 338Nm of torque, dual 60V 18Ah batteries, and up to 173 miles on pedal assist. Top speed of 37 to 46 mph. The best range and power in our lineup. Starts at $1,799.
GT54 and GT54 Pro : For compact performance commuting
The GT54 is our most approachable compact model. 2400W peak motor, 290Nm of torque, 48V 27Ah battery, and up to 60 miles of range. Designed for riders between 4'2 and 5'9. Starts at $999.
The GT54 Pro delivers the same 3000W peak motor and 338Nm of torque as the GT73 Pro in the same compact frame. Up to 62 miles of range on a 60V 25Ah battery. More power, same size. Starts at $1,299.
Not sure which one fits you best? Browse the full lineup and compare models here.
When a Second Car Still Makes Sense
There are situations where a car is the right call. Long highway trips. Multiple passengers. Very heavy loads. Areas with no safe cycling routes. Bad weather that makes riding unsafe.
But for a 5-mile daily commute in a city or suburb, a Riding Times eBike covers it better and costs far less to run every single day.
The Real E-Bike vs Second Car Cost Comparison
Gas alone costs the average commuter around $320 a year on a 5-mile route. Add maintenance and you are past $800 before touching anything else. A Riding Times eBike costs under $100 per year in electricity and around $50 to $100 in basic upkeep. The savings stack up fast. Our lineup starts at $899 with models for every type of commuter.
Compare all our models before you decide.
For riders who want to explore the full Riding Times lineup , the Riding Times YouTube channel has detailed unboxing and setup videos for every bike!
