Originally Posted by Duragrouch

Motors and batteries are heavy, that is a cost. I already have a difficult time hauling my 55 lbs townie (folder with 4 panniers and trunk bag full of tools) up two flights of stairs due to no elevator. A motor and battery would probably add 10-15 lbs, and that's a lot for me, because with the panniers full of groceries, then it becomes an impossible carry.

Ideally, if you have e-bikes where the big battery comes off easy, and, same for the motor, like a mid-drive so the motor can be smaller, with a gear and contacts on the end, and it plugs into a recess like a cartridge, and the bike can be ridden fine without either, that would be great.

We're getting like the passengers in Wall-E.