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Speed along country lanes or potter around your local town with our pick of the best e-bikes

Whether you're looking for a trusty companion to take you on countryside adventures or you simply want to make your commute more eco-friendly, an electric bike should prove a solid lifestyle investment.

Modern e-bikes are fantastic; their motors, built into either the frame or wheels, are activated via sophisticated sensors that detect how much effort a rider is putting in.

This power-assisted pedalling allows you to keep up with stronger cyclists if you're new to the sport or recovering from injury. It can be tweaked according to how much of a workout you fancy, and is great if you don't want to arrive at the office a sweaty mess.

E-bikes boast lithium-ion batteries that, if used sparingly, can transport both bike and rider up to circa 100 miles, before recharging from flat in just a few hours. For most riders, a range of 30 to 50 miles will be adequate.

The short answer is yes, but their battery and sophisticated electronics mean they will never be quite as 'green' as their human-powered counterparts.

Compared with a fossil fuel-powered or electric car, however, they have a minimal impact on the planet. E-bikes are much smaller than cars, meaning far fewer precious resources are used in their production. There is no toxic waste or greenhouse gases pumping out of an exhaust and, if you charge your battery from renewable sources, you can ride around feeling smugly eco.

E-bikes don't come cheap, meaning you should expect to pay anything from £500 to over £4,000.

In coming years, as prices fall, technology improves and more cycling infrastructure is built, they should become a more familiar sight on our roads and tracks, with the Bicycle Association predicting UK sales of 500,000 per year by 2023.

Under UK laws, e-bike riders must be aged over 14. The motor must only operate while you are pedalling, before switching off when you reach a speed of 15.5mph.

You are not required to wear a helmet, but lights and reflectors are obligatory if riding at night.

Third-party insurance isn’t a legal requirement, but it's a good idea to buy some, or join an organisation such as Cycling UK to take advantage of their legal cover, just in case you are ever involved in an accident.

The below e-bikes were tested over a variety of surfaces, including tarmac, potholed ground, dirt and gravel paths, and up and down hills.

Our experts looked at battery-charging time and range, gear changing, manoeuvrability, and the responsivity of the brakes. They also considered the comfort offered by the saddle and handlebars on different terrain.

Walk-assist is a welcome feature on a fairly weighty machine like this, making it so much easier to wheel around when you’re not riding.

Our testers found this Volt sturdy and robustly built with reliable brakes, if a touch unwieldy in stop-start traffic. The battery can be removed for charging, so you won’t need to haul the entire muddy machine inside your home.

For added security, there’s a fob to activate the electronics and a Dutch-style lock on the rear wheel. The addition of a luggage rack, mudguards and lights make it great value.

Key specifications Type of motor: 250w, rear hub Number of speed options: 4 Number of gears: 8 Weight: 21.5kg Range on full charge: 60 miles Frame size: Medium Suspension: Front Brakes: Hydraulic discs

Here’s a practical step-through design with a quality Bosch mid-mounted motor. Our testers found this Raleigh a joy to ride on a range of surfaces, including gravel paths.

The hub gears felt smooth and easy to use, with no derailleur system to knock out of place. The motor proved extremely quiet, those hydraulic disc brakes did a solid job and, for such a relatively heavy bike, a range of up to 100 miles is impressive.

Extra features include a fold-out stand, a covered chainset and rear luggage rack. The only thing we'd change is the saddle, which our experts found slightly uncomfortable over longer distances.

Key specifications Type of motor: Bosch mid-mounted Number of speed options: 4 Number of gears: 8 Weight: 25kg Range on full charge: 100 miles Frame size: 46cm, 47cm, 51cm, 53cm, 56cm, 57cm Suspension: Front Brakes: Hydraulic disc

If you want an e-bike to put some fun back into your pedalling, take a look at this beach cruiser-type machine that's ideal for holiday fun and laid-back exploring.

Its big 'balloon' tyres offer amazing comfort but drag a little more than other models on our list. Happily, that’s not really a problem, thanks to the powerful Bosch hub-mounted motor.

Our testers loved the LED display showing the battery charge level and adored the beautiful frame, but they didn't rate the twist-grip gear changer. This isn't a bike for commuting, but it's our top choice for pottering about on a Saturday morning.

Key specifications Type of motor: 250w, rear hub Number of speed options: 3 Number of gears: 7 Weight: 21kg Range on full charge: 65 miles Frame size: Medium Suspension: None Brakes: Mechanical discs

You’ll spot step-through bikes like this everywhere around Europe. That frame design makes it really easy to get on or off, especially if you struggle with mobility. Practical features such as the covered chain and hub gears also mean you won’t have to worry about getting oil on your clothes.

Our testers enjoyed a plush, safe ride thanks to suspension forks, hydraulic brakes and fatter tyres. They found the Cube surprisingly easy to manoeuvre, although the built-in display seemed to over-estimate the battery life, so allow a little longer for important journeys.

Our test model came with a European-type plug and a mostly German manual but it didn’t take long to get going.

Key specifications Type of motor: Bosch mid-mounted Number of speed options: 1 Number of gears: 8 Weight: 27.8kg Range on full charge: 32 miles Frame size: XS, S, M, L Suspension: Front Brakes: Hydraulic disc

The extra weight of the battery and motor means the folding C-line is not quite as practical its non-electric siblings, but it’s still a fabulous choice if you lack storage space or need to take a bike on a train or in a car.

With some practice, our testers were folding it down in around 20 seconds. The motor is built into the front wheel and the battery is in a holder at the front for easy removal for charging. The upright riding position gives a safe view of surrounding traffic and the smaller wheels make it notably nimble.

It’s expensive, but it comes with lights and mudguards and you can tailor the pedalling assistance so you hardly know it's there.

Key specifications Type of motor: 250w, front hub Number of speed options: 2 Number of gears: 2 Weight: From 15.5kg Range on full charge: 45 miles Frame size: One size Suspension: Polyurethane block built into frame Brakes: Brompton caliper brakes