Due to the extra components on an electric bike versus an unassisted bike, they unsurprisingly tend to be heavier. But with technology becoming more compact and lighter in weight, the situation is improving. Folding bikes are pretty light, as you’d guess, but there are lighter weight options in the carbon fibre e-road and urban categories now too.
Motor and battery technology is getting smaller and more efficient, so it’s not like brands are compromising on power or usability for less weight – as evidenced by the fact some of the bikes below are also listed in our overall best electric bikes guide. That being said, of course there are some e-bikes that are built purposefully to be the ‘lightest’, so make sure to check the specs before buying to make sure the bike in question is still fit for your riding needs.
Lightest electric bikes 2024
- Lightest electric mountain bike – Thömus Lightrider E Ultimate (14.8kg) | Buy from £5,600 from Thoemus
- Lightest electric folding bike – Hummingbird Electric (10.3kg) | Buy for £4,495 from ProDrive
- Lightest electric road bike – HPS Domestique (8.5kg) | Buy for £13,995 from Bike.co.uk
- Lightest electric hybrid bike – LeMond Prolog | Buy for £4,267 from LeMond
- Other lightweight electric bikes
- FAQs
Lightest electric mountain bike: Thömus Lightrider E Ultimate – from £5,600 (14.8kg)
We’ve not been fortunate enough to try this one, but the Lightrider E-Ultimate is claimed to be the lightest full-suspension electric mountain bike in the world. It tips the scales at just under 15kg for the top of the line spec. Unfortunately the motor isn’t the most powerful, with 40Nm peak torque, so it’s perhaps best suited to more cross country style riding.
It uses a Maxon BIKEDRIVE AIR mid-drive system which weighs 3.5kg - 400g lighter than the TQ-HPR50 e-bike system. If you’re after an e-MTB that’s likely just as nice to ride with the motor turned off and you can afford it, the Lightrider E Ultimate could be for you.
Lightest electric folding bike: Hummingbird Electric (flax) - £4,995 (10.3kg)
Back in 2019 when the Gen 1 Hummingbird Electric launched, it was the lightest e-bike of its kind. Fast forward to 2024 and it may still be. At 10.3kg, the flax version is 600g lighter (and £500 more expensive) than the carbon fibre one.
The Gen 2 is now the current model, and while it’s quite pricey at nearly £5k, it's a great option for urban riding and last-mile commuting. While the fold is similar, it isn’t quite as compact as a Brompton, and thus won’t fit into smaller luggage compartments on busy trains, but it’s easy enough to carry through buildings and up stairs.
For more detail, read our review of the Hummingbird Electric.
Lightest electric road bike: HPS Domestique - £13,995 (8.5kg)
Could this be the lightest e-bike on the market? Quite possible. It claimed to be back in 2021 when it launched, and at just 8.5kg, it looks like it might still be. The HPS brand designed the Domestique e-road bike in conjunction with Formula 1 engineers, with the aim of producing an electric road bike that rides just like an unassisted one - oh, and that weighs roughly the same as well.
This is achieved through the 1.5kg Watt Assist System, which employs either a minuscule 85Wh battery or a 193Wh option they reckon would be good for three hours of riding. All of this in a sleek carbon fibre package will set you back £13,995 at the time of writing. It’s a lot to spend to be part of a select club, but if weight matters to you on an electric road bike, this is definitely one of, if not the lightest around.
For more detail, read road.cc’s article on the HPS Domestique.
Lightest electric hybrid bike: LeMond Prolog - £4,267 (11.8kg)
Not only does the LeMond Prolog look the part, it’s also decently light for an urban bike, let alone one that's electric. It uses the same MAHLE Smartbike Systems X35+ motor and battery system as many other road going brands like Ribble and Orbea, so you know what to expect in terms of power assistance and battery range.
Although it’s not perhaps a featherweight when measured against some unassisted bikes, the Prolog is still light enough to be hauled up flights of stairs. It's capable too. Stick some wider tyres on and you’ve got a very versatile lightweight hybrid e-bike.
For more detail, read our review of the LeMond Prolog.
Other lightweight electric bikes
Scott Lumen eRide – £14,695 (15.5kg)
A cross-country beast, the Scott Lumen eRide electric mountain bike range is light on weight, but big on price. They're available from £6,499, but for the 15.5kg bike we’re on about, you're looking at £14,699. Just like most things in cycling, the less it weighs, the more it’s likely to cost.
The natural ride feel of the TQ-HPR50 e-bike system is a big selling point, and is also what allows Scott to keep the weight so low. The entire system weighs just 3.9kg with the motor itself only contributing 1.85kg. Quite aside from the weight, the Lumen eRide range is pretty attractive, and worth a look if you want an aggressive e-MTB (and you have deep pockets).
For more detail, read our article on the Scott Lumen.
Vello Bike+ Titanium - £5,530 (12.9kg)
This ultralight contraption was unveiled back in April 2022 at the Cycle Show, and uses super light components. This includes “ultra-lightweight titanium” which helps keep the weight just under 9.9kg - that is, until you add in the electric drive system.
Unfortunately, it looks like the Cycle Show bike was a one-off, with the production e-bike models listed at 12.9kg without pedals. If you want to shave further weight off, you’ll have to get the Dremel out – which isn’t something we’d recommend. We reviewed the non-titanium version.
For more detail, read our review of the VELLO Bike+.
ARES Super Leggera (9kg)
Not quite the lightest, but certainly one of the best looking, the ARES Super Leggera is made in partnership with the same High Performance Systems (HPS) that made the Domestique further up the page. It utilises the Watt Assist System which houses components close to the bottom bracket area for a sporty ride.
Hidden in the down tube are the electronics that manage the battery and motor, although the battery itself looks like a water bottle installed in a specially designed cage. If you think you want one, however, it’s a pretty exclusive affair. They’re only sold and exhibited in ARES showrooms and there are none in the UK. They're also reported to cost €18,950 (£15,900 at the time of writing).
For more detail, read our article on the ARES Super Leggera.
Ribble Endurance SL e Hero – £7,999 (10.5kg)
If you’re after something a little more attainable (read: available) then the Ribble Endurance SL e Hero is a great call. It’s significantly cheaper for only a kilogram or two more weight. This particular model now comes with a 2x12-speed Shimano Ultegra Di2 groupset, and the popular hub-driven MAHLE Smartbike Systems X35+ motor and battery.
We last reviewed it in 2019, but were impressed with the value, quality and lightness of it all – and at a claimed 10.49kg now, it's shed a few grams since we tested it. A reliable option, with actual availability in the UK, the Endurance SL e is hard to fault.
For more detail, read our review of the Ribble Endurance SLe Di2.
Lightest electric bikes FAQs
Does the weight of an e-bike matter?
When you’re riding, not a great deal - as long as the e-bike system is good enough to make it not feel like you’re riding through treacle. If you’re concerned about the weight of an e-bike because you need to be able to carry it about, like a folding bike, then yes, it does matter.
It’s impossible to escape the fact that electric bikes need more kit on them to make them electric. That’s why they usually weigh more than their unassisted counterparts. But as we’ve shown with some the bikes on this list, the technology is progressing so you can choose an electric bike that provides the necessary power at the minimal weight needed to do the job.
What e-bike is the lightest weight?
The HPS Domestique electric road bike is certainly one of, if not the lightest electric bike available as a production model. There are some custom models that might be a bit lighter, but the Domestique weighs just 8.5kg (although it costs €14,400).
What motors are on the lightest electric bikes?
This depends. If we talk about the lightest of all categories, then you’re likely looking at hub motors – unless you look at the HPS Domestique, which uses a motor nestled above the bottom bracket.
You’ll see mid-drive motors in the lighter electric mountain bikes, as mountain bikes perform far better with mid-drive than hub-drive. Here's our guide to lightweight mid-motors.
Folders are likely to use hub-driven motors, and similarly with electric road bikes, except for those using proprietary tech.
