Let's Talk About Money
Whether it’s one e-bike or two, an SUV or a cargo bike: Modern electric bikes can easily cost mid-four-figure sums, which not everyone has sitting in their bank account. But there are various options for getting an e-bike—modern mobility doesn’t have to be out of reach today.
Buying a new e-bike is a major investment—there’s no sugarcoating it. Experts estimate that in Germany in 2022, people were already paying an average of around 3,500 euros for a new e-bike. Added to this is a factor that shouldn’t be underestimated: Very often, people buy two bikes at once—after all, you don’t want to go on a ride alone, but rather spend enjoyable and exciting hours together with your partner. Take Frank Wehner, for example, from near Heidelberg, whom we met as a customer at Veloland Brand in Wiesloch. Even though the 42-year-old has a well-paid job as an IT specialist, buying two good e-bikes for himself and his wife—along with a few accessories like locks and bike racks—would set him back nearly 12,000 euros. So it’s more than convenient for him that his employer has entered into a framework agreement with Eurorad as a leasing partner. At Veloland—which, like Eurorad, is part of the ZEG Group, Europe’s largest bicycle purchasing cooperative—he finds not only a wide selection of bikes but also expert advice, and he feels he’s in good hands, as he tells us, full of anticipation for his first spring rides. Since both bikes are in stock, the leasing process is completed surprisingly quickly; after sleeping on it for one more night, the brand-new Bulls e-MTBs can be taken home the very next day on the rack for the trailer hitch—which the service representative installs right away.
The leasing business is growing rapidly
It’s no surprise, then, that more and more employees are eagerly taking advantage of the option to lease an e-bike. The market is growing, as Franz Tepe, CEO of Eurorad, confirms: “The leasing business continues to grow rapidly; in January and February 2023, we were up 40 percent compared to the same months last year.” Around two million e-bikes were sold in Germany in 2022. At least half of these were sold through a leasing contract. Experts estimate that the average price of these e-bikes is at least 3,500 euros, as the trend is for higher-end bikes to be leased. This adds up to a total market volume of more than 3.5 billion euros—so it’s no surprise that more and more providers want to grab as big a slice of the pie as possible. There’s no getting around the topic of money, but in addition to the traditional purchase, there are interesting alternatives: leasing, financing, company bike programs, or even potential subsidies—plus the question of insurance. All these options highlight how important it is to choose a trustworthy partner as a specialty dealer—one who isn’t just looking to quickly get rid of slow-moving inventory, but who provides comprehensive and competent advice. This is guaranteed, for example, by ZEG specialty dealers with their TÜV-certified quality workshops. This certification applies not only to the workshop itself but also to customer interaction and personalized advice.
Leasing a Company Bike
For several years now, the top topic has been leasing an e-bike—known as “company bike leasing.” As is common with cars, employees exchange a small portion of their salary for an e-bike provided by their employer. Since the leasing payment is deducted from their gross salary, the actual net cost is significantly lower; furthermore, a bicycle or e-bike used for personal purposes is taxed at only 0.25 percent of its original price. To stick with the example of Frank Wehner, who treats himself to an e-MTB with a new price of 5,499 euros, he saves over 1,500 euros over the three-year usage period compared to buying it outright—and, as an added bonus, his e-bike is automatically insured.
Leasing offers plenty of advantages
- An e-bike can usually be purchased at the end of the lease term at a very attractive price (at Eurorad, for 16 percent of the original price—in Frank Wehner’s example, that would be 880 euros).
- Leasing payments include comprehensive service packages that ensure the e-bike remains in top condition throughout its three-year term.
- Also included is an insurance package that covers not only theft but also vandalism or a stolen battery, for example.
- Permanently installed accessories such as lighting, a lock, or a child seat can be included in the lease.
Click here to read the full article “Let’s Talk About Money” from the Focus E-Bike Special.
