Business · Economy · 1 day ago
High fuel costs push more city residents toward electric bikes
Fuel prices in France remain above €2 a litre on average, leading some people to look for cheaper ways to travel.
In and around Paris, some drivers and motorcyclists are considering electric bikes instead.
One man said he usually spends €25 a week on fuel for his motorcycle and is thinking of selling it to buy a bike.
A refurbished electric bike at the shop he visited costs about €1,200.
The company says its sales have risen 20% since July, while other retailers report increases of up to 30% compared with last year.
The company estimates that using an electric bike instead of a car can save €50 to €70 a month.
A cycling industry representative says the shift may be more practical in cities than in rural areas, where replacing car journeys with bike trips is harder.
High fuel prices are prompting some motorists in French cities to consider electric bikes as a cheaper way to travel.
Franceinfo reported that a shop selling reconditioned electric bikes in Gennevilliers had seen growing interest from customers.
Upway said its sales had risen by 20% since July, while other retailers reported increases of up to 30% compared with a year earlier.
Upway’s France director said switching from a car to an electric bike could save €50 to €70 a month.
A representative of the sports and cycling businesses association cautioned that fuel costs may not be the only reason for the trend and that cycling is harder to substitute for car travel in rural areas.
- Who
- Some motorists and motorcyclists in French cities are considering electric bikes. Upway and other retailers report rising sales.
- What
- High fuel prices are helping drive interest in electric bikes.
- When
- The report was published on 10 October 2026; Upway said its sales had risen since July.
- Where
- Gennevilliers and other urban areas in France.
- Why
- Some people want to reduce their transport costs as fuel prices remain high.
Electric-bike retailers and prospective buyers
Union of Sport and Cycle Businesses
Fuel prices and electric-bike demand
Electric-bike retailers and prospective buyers
Retailers and buyers say high fuel costs are prompting people to consider electric bikes and are mentioned more often by customers.
Union of Sport and Cycle Businesses
Virgile Caillet cautioned against directly linking the trend to fuel prices; he said switching from cars to bikes is much harder in rural areas.
I put 25 euros of petrol a week into the motorcycle; I go slower than on a bike, it makes more noise, and it is harder to maintain.
Switching to an electric bike rather than travelling by car can save between 50 and 70 euros a month.
I would still be cautious about immediately linking the phenomenon to rising fuel costs.
Upway said its sales of reconditioned electric bikes had risen by 20%.
franceinfo published its report on high fuel prices and interest in electric bikes.
- Fuel price
- More than €2 per litre on average across France
- Upway sales
- Up 20% since July
- Other retailers
- Electric-bike sales up by as much as 30% compared with the previous year
- Potential savings
- €50–€70 per month when switching from car travel to an electric bike
- Example bike price
- €1,200 for the bike considered by Arthur
Sources
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