Best Ebikes for Hills to Conquer any Gradient in 2024

Bicycles are an excellent means of transportation, a fantastic way to enjoy the outdoors, and a great way to stay fit and healthy throughout life.

That said, unless you’re a super-fit cyclist who rides for sport, it’s unlikely that you love going up steep hills, which might limit where you ride. Additionally, those who live in hilly areas are often discouraged from riding a bike at all.

Thankfully, electric bicycles offer the perfect solution to this problem by taking most or all of the effort out of riding uphill, opening up new and exciting routes or commuting opportunities to e-bike owners.

This article reviews a mix of the best eBikes for hills across different styles and price ranges and finishes with a short guide on choosing the perfect hill-crushing electric bike for you.

How steep a hill can an electric bike climb?

How steep a hill an electric bike can climb depends on various factors such as e-bike motor style, power and torque, rider weight, bike weight, terrain and weather, and the length of the hill.

For example, a 250W hub-drive e-bike can tackle short to medium hills up to 10% gradients if you’re willing to push the pedals. On the other hand, a 500W mid-drive motor with a big battery should be able to tackle long climbs with sections of 15% or more.

Knowing how to climb steep hills and using the proper pedaling technique can also help you get more out of your e-bike and get to the top more easily.

Best E-Bikes for Hills in 2024

Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4

Best cargo eBike for hills

• Price: $1,999
• Motor: 750W Geared hub
• Battery: 672Wh
• Gears: 7

The Rad Power Bikes RadWagon 4 is an affordable cargo bike that comes ready to carry anything you need, wherever you go.

The powerful 750W motor and 672Wh battery combination give this bike 25 to 45 miles of range with top assisted speeds of 28mph. The geared hub motor provides plenty of power to get you over light hills with a full 350lb payload.

Rad Power chose 3″ tires on 22″ wheels, low and long geometry, and a low center of gravity to provide a stable ride feel. As a result, you can load up the extra-long rear rack with cargo (or two kids) and confidently navigate the city. The main issue with the build is that it is pretty heavy.

Other exciting features of this bike include the integrated lights with rear brake light activation, the adjustable handlebar, and telescoping seatpost, and the compatibility with tons of accessories from the Rad Power Bikes online store.

Don’t miss out on the RadWagon 4 if you want the best ebike for hills that can carry plenty of cargo.

Buy from RadPowerBikes.com

Co-op Cycles CTY e2.2

Best commuter eBike for hills

• Price: $2.699
• Motor: Shimano E6100 mid-drive 250W/60Nm
• Battery: Shimano E8010 504Wh
• Gears: 9

The Co-op Cycles CTY e2.2 is the higher-end model of the two-bike series. The CTY e2.2 is a fully-equipped electric city commuter that thrives on steep hills thanks to its mid-drive motor.

Mid-drive motors like the Shimano STEPS E6100 are very efficient and smooth when climbing, making this commuter the best 250W eBike for hills. In addition, this model has three levels of pedal assistance, a walk mode, and a 20mph max assisted speed.

Co-op Cycles chose a Shimano E8010 504Wh battery which provides an average range of 40 to 50 miles on one charge. In addition, this battery is lockable thanks to a preinstalled ABUS lock and is removable for when you’re ready to charge. Impressively, the E8010 has a short four-hour charge time.

Another characteristic of this bike is the comfortable ride quality. It has upright geometry, a Comfort Plus saddle with memory foam, shock-absorbent 1.95″ Schwalbe Big Ben tires, and the road-smoothing 75mm travel fork to achieve this.

Finally, the CTY e2.2 comes with all the essential commuter accessories, including a rear rack, fenders, a kickstand, and integrated LED lights, making urban riding safe and convenient.

If you’re looking for the best commuter eBike for hills, look no further than Co-op’s CTY e2.2.

Buy from REI

Ride1UP Prodigy

Best climbing eBike for on and off-road

• Price: $2,295 – $2,395 
• Motor: 90Nm Brose mid-drive (380% assistance)
• Battery: 504Wh, Samsung cells
• Gears: 9

The Ride1UP Prodigy is a series of three bikes, the urban XR (step-over) and ST (step-through) models and the XC off-roader.

Each of the three versions uses a Brose TF Sprinter drive system with a 90Nm mid-drive motor, 504Wh battery, integrated torque sensor, and the Brose Allround 1.5″ color display.

The mid-drive motor offers up to 380% of smooth assistance thanks to the torque sensor, making hill climbing feel easy. However, on the steepest hills, the bike isn’t as efficient as it could be due to the limited 9-speed cassette (11-34t).

Shimano provides an Alivio drivetrain to pair with the 180mm-rotor Tektro hydraulic disc brakes for powerful and reliable stopping.

The urban models of the Prodigy come with a rigid fork, Maxxis Refuse 2.0″ tires, and a rack, fenders, and lights for city riding. On the other hand, the off-road Prodigy XC has a 120mm air fork, 2.4″ Maxxis Forekaster tires, and MTB touchpoints to provide trail performance.

Consider the affordable Prodigy electric bike if you want the best eBike motor for hills and the choice between an off-road or city-optimized ride.

Buy from Ride1UP

Trek Marlin+ 6

Best mid-motor eMTB for hills

• Price: $2,700
• Motor: Bosch Active Line Plus motor
• Battery: 400 Wh dual battery
• Gears: Shimano CUES 9-speed

The Trek Marlin+ 6 is a mid-range e-bike with lots of power that makes steep hills feel like riding on the flat, making it the brand’s best e-bike for hills.

The electronics on this bike include a Bosch Active Line Plus motor and a 400 Wh battery, providing you with a 20 mph maximum speed. However, range is often not disclosed with Bosch electronics, though you can expect 40-50 miles on a single charge if you stay in lower pedal-assist levels.

The Trek Marlin+ 6 is also very comfortable thanks to the plush yet fast 29″ x 2.4″ tires, 120 mm suspension fork, upright geometry, and ergonomic touchpoints. The one issue, however, is the lack of a dropper post, but you can’t get everything at such a low price.

Trek Marlin+ 6 is a proper electric mountain bike that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and gets you high-quality Bosch electronics and Trek’s reliability. 

Buy from Trek Bikes

QuietKat Jeep

Best ebike for steep hills

• Price: $4,000 – $5,000
• Motor: 1000W/160Nm Ultra mid-drive
• Battery: 696 Wh
• Gears: 9

The new Jeep by QuietKat is an update to the original off-road beast. This version has more range, improved geometry, and better suspension to create a well-rounded ride quality.

The motor on this bike is the most impressive feature. A 1000W/160Nm ultra mid-drive offers buttery smooth power transfer and enough power to get you over the steepest and longest climbs in the world. This motor pairs with a decent 696 Wh battery that delivers a rather limited range of 22 to 44 miles.

QuietKat matches the powerful electronics with high-end components elsewhere. These include thick 26×4.8″ tires, 4-piston Tektro hydraulic disc brakes, 140 mm RockShox Monarch RL inverted suspension, and a durable 9-speed SRAM drivetrain. In addition, the front and rear suspension components are linked by a Fire-link platform, improving traction, comfort, and big-hit capability.

The Jeep is also versatile. It can be combined with trailers to haul 300 lb payloads and has compatibility with 29″ wheels if you want a modern mountain bike feel.

Add the Quietkat Jeep to your shortlist if you want the best ebike for hills that you can use for hunting trips and have the budget to match.

Buy from QuietKat

Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy

Best eBike for hill climbing and descents 

• Price: $5,800
• Motor: Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor, 90 Nm
• Battery: 565 Wh Powertube (range extender compatibility)
• Gears: SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed

The Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy is a full suspension trail e-bike that’ll give you the extra kick you need to spend more time on the mountain.

The e-bike system includes Specialized’s proprietary Turbo Full Power 2.2 motor with 90 Nm of torque, paired with a 6565 Wh Powertube removable battery. This combination offers a 5-hour riding range per charge, which is pretty decent and allows you to spend long days on the trail.

The suspension is RockShox, with a 35 Silver TK 160mm travel fork and a 150mm Deluxe Select R rear shock. To enhance versatility on the trail, Specialized chose a mixed-wheel design to improve the bike’s maneuverability in tight situations without losing roll-over capability. The tires are 2.6″ wide, so you’ll get plenty of grip and control.

Other notable components include the dropper post, SRAM Guide RE hydraulic disc brakes, and the SRAM SX Eagle 12-speed drivetrain with an 11-50t cassette.

Choose Specialized Turbo Levo alloy if you want a versatile and fun electric trail mountain bike to open up the mountain and help you tackle steep climbs.

Buy from Specialized Bikes

Bakcou Scout

Best fat bike for climbing hills

• Price: $5,599
• Motor: 1000W / 160Nm mid-drive
• Battery: 48V 17.5 Ah or 21 Ah
• Gears: 11-speed SRAM NX

The Bakcou Scout is an electric fat bike capable of taking on any terrain you encounter, thanks to the wide tires and giant motor.

The most impressive component of this bike is the 1000W/160 Nm mid-drive motor. This spec is unusual for a mid-drive, as most models are 250W or 500W. As a result, the Scout has explosive acceleration and can sustain high speeds up steep climbs. In addition, it has a max speed of 35 mph (Class 3).

But you can toggle between 750W and 1000W modes, as well as remove its throttle to make it fit into any ebike class, depending on your local rules.

The motor is combined with a 48V 17.5 Ah battery that you can upgrade to 21 Ah at checkout for a +$300 surcharge. Unfortunately, Bakcou does not disclose the exact range, but you can expect plenty considering the high battery capacity.

Other notable components include the full suspension setup, ShRAM 11-speed drivetrain, and Tektro four-piston hydraulic disc brakes. These features make this bike perfect for tackling steep mountain hills, taking on overnight hunting trips, or simply as a city cruiser.

Don’t miss out on the Bakcou Scout if you want an affordable all-terrain hunting bike with tons of power for tackling nasty inclines.

Buy from Bakcou Bikes

Vvolt Sirius

Best eBike for San Francisco hills

• Price: $2,799
• Motor: 250W/80Nm mid-drive motor
• Battery: 375Wh battery
• Gears: Enviolo hub with 380% range

The Vvolt Sirius is a stylish electric bike that would make a great urban cruiser or trail companion for light to moderate trails.

Vvolt chose off-brand electronics for the Sirius, with a 250W/80Nm MPF mid-drive motor and a 375Wh Cellxpert battery. On average, this system delivers 20 to 40 miles of range, with max speeds of 20mph (Class 1). Additionally, you can pay an extra $100 to turn the Sirius into a 28mph Class 3 bike.

The drivetrain is the most impressive part of the Sirius, featuring a stepless Enviolo TR rear hub with a 380% gear range, allowing you to maximize your battery’s juice. In addition, this hub runs with a Gates Carbon belt drive to complete an almost maintenance-free setup.

Vvolt included a 100mm travel fork and deep-tread Kenda mixed-terrain tires on 27.5″ rims to deliver off-road performance. Hydraulic disc brakes complement these components, providing powerful and controlled stopping. Unfortunately, the 160mm rotors are small for a heavy e-bike.

Other features of this bike include rechargeable LED lights, a kickstand, and a computer with USB charging. In summary, the Sirius is a solid choice if you want a bike with urban and backcountry capabilities at a reasonable price and you’re looking for the best ebike for hills with a carbon belt.

Buy from Vvolt

Charge XC

• Price: $2,699
• Motor: Shimano STEPS E5000 250W/45Nm
• Battery: 504Wh Shimano STEPS E8035
• Gears: 8

The Charge XC is another all-rounder bike that functions equally well in urban environments as on cross-country trails.

This e-bike comes with a complete Shimano STEPS system that includes a 250W/45Nm mid-drive motor and a 504Wh downtube battery. This system is smooth and efficient, delivering seamless power thanks to the torque sensors.

The Charge XC has a 100mm SR Suntour XCM 34 fork to smooth the trail over light to moderate bumps. Additionally, a set of Goodyear Peak 2.25″ tires roll fast on mountain trails. The frame used is a 6061 aluminum that has fenders and a rack, so the XC doubles as the perfect commuter or bicycle tourer.

All things considered, the Charge XC would make the best ebike for hills for riders wanting a bike to take to the trail on evenings and weekends and get them to and from work during the week.

Buy from Charge Bikes

Cannondale Adventure Neo Allroad EQ

Best women’s e-bike for hills

• Price: $1,825
• Motor: 250W hub motor
• Battery: 418 Wh
• Gears: 7-speed

The Cannondale Adventure Neo Allroad EQ is an electric off-road bike that gives riders a super comfortable and stable urban ride and the ability to tackle any surface or terrain.

The powerful 250W Bafang hub motor provides plenty of power for tackling hills. This motor pairs with a 418 Wh battery to provide 47 miles of range and a 20 mph top speed with throttle or pedal assistance.

The 180mm rotor Tektro hydraulic disc brakes offer decent stopping power and are of suitable quality at this price. The wheelset includes 27.5″ double-wall aluminum rims and 2.6″ multi-surface tires, which make up for the lack of suspension.

One great feature of the Adventure Neo Allroad is that it comes equipped with fenders, a rear rack, a kickstand, lights, and other accessories so it’s ready for commuting or overnight backcountry trips.

Add the Cannondale Adventure Neo Allroad EQ to your shortlist if you want a cheap all-terrain machine to try out e-powered hill climbing.

Buy from REI

Bakcou Kodiak AWD

Best for climbing steep hills and riding on soft terrain

• Price: $3,999
• Motor: Two Bafang 500W hub motors
• Battery: 48V 25 Ah
• Gears: Shimano Alivio 9-speed

The Bakcou Kodiak is a pure all-terrain vehicle with all-wheel-drive, fat tires, and fork suspension, meaning no place is out of reach.

The motors are the most impressive part of this bike. Two Bafang 500W unitrs, one in each hub, provide 1000W/170 Nm of power and torque so you can tackle the steepest hills and find traction on the softest terrains.

The 48V 25 Ah battery is quite impressive but might drain quickly due to the dual-motor design. Unfortunately, Bakcou doesn’t disclose the range estimate. Another sacrifice of having two motors is that the bike is weighty (68 lb).

Bakcou chose Maxxis Minion 4″ fat tires on nimble 26″ wheels to ensure versatile off-road performance, allowing you to maneuver the bike better on technical terrain. Additionally, the Kodiak uses four-piston hydraulic disc brakes from Tektro for stopping and a suspension fork for extra comfort and traction.

Choose the Kodiak all-wheel-drive ebike if you want a backcountry companion for your hunting or camping trips that can get you to the most remote areas.

Buy from Bakcou Bikes

How to Choose the Best Ebike for Hills

Many factors influence an electric bike’s ability to climb hills, such as gradient, length, motor design and power, throttle, gearing, and weight. This section will discuss these factors and provide a short guide to choosing the best eBike for hills.

Which eBike motor is best for hills?

The mid-drive and hub-drive are the most common e-bike motors sold today. Of the two, the hub drive is cheaper but less effective for climbing hills. In contrast, mid-drive motors are more efficient on hills and lighter, but they’re more expensive.

Hub Motor vs. Mid-Drive E-Bikes — Which One to Choose?

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Read full review

Mid-drive motors allow you to use the entire gear range of the bike, meaning you can spin a low gear with high torque to push you up the hill. The downside is that you must select the correct gear when needed, as you would in a car. Conversely, hub motors operate on one gear, meaning they’re powerful on flat terrain and light inclines but ineffective on steep hills as you’ll be required to use a lot of effort.

In general, if you live in a very hilly area, a mid-drive is better. However, a hub drive is perfect if you live in a place with few hills because it’s cheaper and easier to use.

Weight – Bike, Rider, and Cargo

Weight is the most significant variable in a bike’s ability to climb hills, after motor style. Rider weight, bike weight, and cargo all impact the power required to go uphill at a given speed, and the steeper the hills, the more that weight becomes a factor.

As a result, if you’re a heavier rider, have a heavy bike, or frequently carry cargo, you’ll require a more powerful motor or more efficient mid-drive to ride up hills.

Gearing

The 7-speed drivetrain on Rad Power Bikes’ RadCity 5 Plus makes climbing a bit easier.

Gearing is another important consideration when riding uphill, with or without a motor. Using a lower gear allows you to maintain a high and consistent cadence, so you don’t need to push as hard or stand up to pedal.

For mid-drive motors, this is especially relevant, as the motor is activated by your pedaling. This design means that if you use a high cadence when going uphill, you can maximize the power and torque of the motor.

Hub drive motors operate the same regardless of the bike’s gear, so gearing isn’t as relevant for these bikes. Nonetheless, it is helpful to have extra gears to pedal and tackle steeper climbs than if you were using the throttle alone.

How do electric bikes work on hills?

When riding up hills with a hub drive e-bike, you typically need to use the pedal assistance function if you have a 250W bike, as the throttle won’t be enough to get you up hills. On the other hand, 500W to 750W motors should be enough to use the throttle only on light to moderate climbs. A hub motor requires rider power for anything more than light to moderate hills. Before you reach the incline, be sure to shift to one of your lower gears and keep pedaling.

When riding a mid-drive bike, they typically don’t have throttles. As a result, you must pedal to move. When approaching a hill, switch to a lower gear; the steeper the hill incline, the lower the gear you choose. Doing so will allow you to pedal at a smooth, high cadence and utilize the motor’s torque to get you over the hill comfortably.

How much power and torque is enough for steep hills?

It’s impossible to make a definitive statement about how much power and torque is enough for steep hills. Instead, you can estimate from factors like rider weight, bike weight, wind, power input, and desired speed.

To generalize, if you don’t mind spinning and putting power into the pedals, a 250W mid-drive or 500W hub drive motor with more than 60Nm of torque should suffice. On the other hand, if you want to use the throttle alone, you’ll need a hub-drive motor with 750W or higher and at least 70Nm of torque.

Can a 250W electric bike go uphill?

Yes, a 250W electric bike can go uphill. A 250W hub drive will be limited to light hills, but a 250W mid-drive motor can tackle moderate hills if you use the full range of gears and keep pedaling to support the motor.

Battery size and braking power

The massive 672 Wh battery on the Rad Power Bikes’ RadWagon 4.

The battery size and range depend on a lot of factors, such as how much assistance you use, how much you weigh, and what gradients you ride.

Eco mode will allow your battery to last as long as possible. Each higher pedal assistance level increases the usage, while the throttle uses the most. Bike weight, rider weight, wheel width, terrain, and weather influence how fast your battery drains. If you expect to use your electric assist more, we recommend choosing a model with a higher-capacity battery.

Living in an area with many hills puts greater demands on your e-bike motor and the battery. The more power you require to ride, the faster you use your juice.

One final consideration for choosing an e-bike to ride hills is the type of brakes and the size of the rotors for the descent. If you’re a heavy rider or the e-bike is heavy, you’ll need more powerful brakes (hydraulic discs) to achieve a safe stopping distance.

Larger rotors increase the braking power of a brakeset. Additionally, if you’re braking regularly on a descent, wider rotors dissipate heat faster and help maintain braking performance. Hydraulic disc brakes are the best choice for e-bikes and when possible, choose brakes from a well-known manufacturer like Shimano or Tektro.

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About the Author

Jordan Grimes

Jordan Grimes is an avid cyclist who loves to travel and has found his bike to be perfect company on road trips in the USA, through national parks, and in countries such as Canada, Ireland, and Spain.

His passion for travel and work in the tourism and hospitality sector has allowed him to live in incredible places like Ireland, Canada, the USA, and the Cayman Islands. He has since relocated to southern Spain, where he works as a freelance writer, practicing Spanish and cycling in the famous Sierra Nevada mountains. He specializes in writing cycling blog articles, health and performance-related topics, and other informative pieces. You can contact him on Linkedin.