Whats the typical watts/mile required for a 20 mph tops, 48v, 500 watt hub motor e-bike? I know theres many variables (weight,wind,flat). Just looking for base line number.
too many variables. and the most popular is watt hours per mile.I'm in canada so we use kilometres. My biking buddy gets 9wh/km my slow/light bike gets 20wh/km and my tank gets 30wh/km
My Ping 48V 10ahr batt provides 500W and I get close to 25mi with easy pedalling, maybe 400W Bafang. I weigh 180lbs, and cruise 20-22mph on somewhat level terrain. So, around 20W per mile My Lith-ion is a slightly stronger performer, 48V 10.5 provides 525W and will run 30 miles at 19-20mph in the hills with easy pedalling, C-lyte 408 maybe 500W; 17.5W per mile for it
(edit update: BaFang8Fun uses 17W per mile, maybe better)
I'm typically around 12wh/mi, but always pedal as if I weren't on an ebike. When we get a windy day - either cross wind or headwind, the figure drops like a rock. I'm lucky to get 25wh/mi when we get our 20+ mph headwinds. Ditto for hill work.
The 700c bike is that much more efficient I've personally found tyre seloections makes heaps of difference on a 26" mtb. Knobbly tires are terrible for both speed and efficiency. A good road tyre makes all the difference. I've got some smooth e bike tyres I need to try, both 2" and 1.5" width (26" rim). Will try to see how they compare.