What maintenance does an electric fatbike require?

Maintaining an electric fatbike is easier than you might think, especially if you choose a belt-drive model. The main maintenance items include the battery, brakes, tires and drive train. The drive train in particular makes a big difference: traditional chains require regular cleaning and lubrication, while belt drives are virtually maintenance-free. For businesses, this means lower maintenance costs and less time lost to service. In addition, the electric components and robust fatbike tires require specific attention for optimal performance and longevity.

1. What exactly does electric fatbike maintenance involve?
2. What are the tax advantages for companies when purchasing electric fatbikes?
3. How do subsidies for electric bikes vary by country?
4. What are the benefits of leasing options for electric fatbikes?
5. How do you calculate the ROI of electric fatbikes for your business?
6. What are the most important maintenance tips for long-term use of electric fatbikes?

"The beauty of a belt drive is that you actually never have to ride with dirty hands again," he said. explains Thomas, who has years of experience with electric fatbikes. "With our customers, we see that this makes the difference between a bike that needs constant attention and one you can just jump on."

The maintenance of a electric fatbike consists of several components that require regular attention. The most essential components are the battery, electrical system, brakes, tires and drive system.

The biggest difference in maintenance is seen in the type of drive. Traditional chain drives require regular cleaning, lubrication and occasional replacement. A belt drive on the other hand, offers significant advantages in terms of maintenance. It hardly requires attention, does not need lubrication and lasts much longer than a chain.

For the battery, it is important to charge it regularly and not drive it completely empty. Protect it from extreme temperatures and leave it at about 50% capacity during long-term storage.

Want to know more about belt drive benefits? Then read our blog about why a belt drive is better than a chain.

"Many business owners don't know that with the right arrangements, they can sometimes get as much as 40% of their investment back," he said. explains Thomas. "That makes the difference between hesitating and going right ahead with your sustainable mobility plan."

Companies that invest in electric fatbikes can take advantage of several tax incentives that significantly reduce purchase costs. The main tax scheme is the Environmental Investment Allowance (MIA), which allows companies to deduct up to 36% of the investment amount from taxable profit, on top of regular depreciation.

There is also the Random Depreciation of Environmental Investments (Vamil), which allows 75% of the investment to be depreciated at a time of your own choosing. Companies can also benefit from the Small Scale Investment Allowance (KIA), an additional deduction for investments up to €328,721 per year.

Another interesting option is the work expense ratio (WKR), where you can offer electric bicycles to employees as untaxed compensation, as long as you stay within your free allowance.

Want to know what a good business fatbike should have? Check out our blog about fatbikes for adults.

The grants for electric bicycles vary greatly from country to country, which is important for companies operating internationally. In the Netherlands, we do not have a national purchase subsidy for electric bicycles, but we do have the aforementioned tax schemes such as MIA/Vamil for companies.

"What I often see with international companies is that they have different capabilities in each country," he said. notes Thomas. "In France, for example, you get instant cash back when you trade in a car for an e-bike. That's a very different system than we have here."

Belgium has an interesting system: employees can receive up to €0.25 per kilometer tax-free for commuting by bicycle. Germany, through the "Jobrad" program, offers attractive leasing arrangements with tax benefits, and France, with the "Prime à la Conversion," has a national program that offers subsidies of up to €1,500.

For businesses, it is important to note that grant applications must usually be submitted prior to purchasing the bikes.

Curious about business applications? Read our blog on cargo bikes for delivery services.

"Leasing is ideal if you don't want to invest a large amount of money right away," he said. advises Thomas. "Many companies choose operational leasing because then everything is taken care of - from maintenance to insurance. That makes a huge difference in administration."

Lease options for electric fatbikes offer businesses a flexible financing solution without a large initial investment. There are two main forms: operational lease, where the leasing company retains ownership and maintenance is usually included, and financial lease, where you take ownership after the lease is completed.

A key advantage of lease structures is that maintenance costs are often included with operating leases. For electric fatbikes with belt drive, these maintenance costs are already lower, which favors the overall lease price.

For employees, you can offer bicycle leasing plans through a cafeteria plan, where employees contribute gross salary for the use of an electric fatbike. This provides tax benefits for both employer and employee.

Considering renting a fatbike? Check out our blog about STOER Bike Rentals.

"The payback period is often shorter than companies think," he said. says Thomas. "Especially in cities where parking is expensive and traffic jams take up a lot of time, you see that an electric fatbike pays for itself within a year and a half."

Calculating the Return on Investment (ROI) for electric fatbikes will help you make an informed decision. Start by mapping out the initial investment and subtract tax benefits such as MIA/Vamil schemes to arrive at the net investment.

The operational costs are offset by several savings: fuel costs, parking costs in urban areas (€3-8 per hour on average), avoided car maintenance costs, time saved by avoiding traffic jams, and even lower sick leave costs due to healthier employees.

A realistic payback period for electric fatbikes in a business environment is between 12 and 24 months, depending on usage patterns. Belt-driven bikes often have a more favorable ROI due to lower maintenance costs.

Want to know how long a fatbike lasts? Read our blog about the lifespan of a fatbike.

"My most important tip? Keep the battery between the 20% and 80% for everyday use," says Thomas. "And with belt drives, all you really have to do is check for stones. It could hardly be simpler."

For long-term trouble-free use, a few essential tips are crucial. Battery care is paramount: charge regularly and avoid both fully discharged and keeping 100% constantly charged. For long-term storage, a charge level of about 50% is optimal.

Check tire pressure regularly. Fatbikes have wide tires that run at lower pressures (usually 0.8-1.5 bar) than normal bicycle tires. The right pressure ensures optimal grip, comfort and range.

For businesses, it is practical to keep a maintenance log for each bicycle. For business use, we recommend a thorough inspection every 3-6 months, depending on the intensity of use. With proper care, these bikes can easily last 5 years or more.

At Stoer Bikes, we make sure our belt-drive electric fatbikes require minimal maintenance, so you have more time to ride and less time to spend on maintenance.

Want to know more about maintenance? Check out our blog on how to check the tension of a belt drive or contact us for personal advice.