What are the Best Electric Bikes for Steep Hills ?
Written by: Rémy Rossi | April 5, 2025 | Time to read 5 min

More about the Author: Remy Rossi
Rémy Rossi is a bike writer, mechanic, and educator who got his start in community-based bike shops and co-ops. With a decade in the industry, he still wrenches on bikes when he can and plays bike polo on a fixie.

My dad used to tell me that life was a bit tougher back in his day— after all, he had to ride uphill both ways when cycling to school. But then I realized that I also had to ride over a big hill when going to and coming from school, and his achievement wasn’t so glorious.
And nowadays there are powerful, hill-climbing electric bikes to make the trip even easier. Boosted bikes make quick work of steep gradients, meaning sweat-filled commutes and impossible ramps are a thing of the past. Check out Upway’s affordable electric bikes with high-powered motors and high-capacity batteries suited for hill climbing.
Table of Contents
Best e-Bike for hilly commuting: Aventon Level 2
Best mountain e-Bike for hill-climbing: Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon
Best lightweight e-Bike for hilly rides: Specialized Turbo Vado SL
Best cargo e-Bike for hills: Blix Packa Genie Dual Battery
Best folding e-Bike for hills: Aventon Sinch
Quality certified pre-owned e-Bikes at Upway
Key TakeawaysBest e-Bike for hilly commuting: Aventon Level 2

Aventon estimates that the battery can provide up to 60 miles of pedal assist range. Like other Class 2 e-Bikes, the Level 2 can be operated in two modes: pedal assist or throttle control. There are commute-enhancing features like a rear rack, integrated lights on the seatstays, and fenders. Aventon e-Bikes provide a zippy ride feel that blasts up hills so you can conquer any commute.
Best mountain e-Bike for hill-climbing: Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon

And for even more value, check out the aluminum frame version, the Specialized Turbo Levo Alloy.
Best lightweight e-Bike for hilly rides: Specialized Turbo Vado SL

The 700c Nimbus Sport tires feature shallow treads and a high-grip compound, ensuring your e-Bike sticks to the road wherever you go. The 12-speed SRAM GX drivetrain ensures that you have the ideal gear ratio for any incline, optimizing the efficiency of your electric motor in all situations. For a more relaxed ride, check out the standard version, the Specialized Turbo Vado.
Best cargo e-Bike for hills: Blix Packa Genie Dual Battery
If you live in a hilly area and need a cargo e-Bike, you’ll need a model with high battery capacity and features such as pedal assist to keep the ride easy and comfortable. The Blix Packa Genie Dual Battery offers both of these features and more.
This cargo e-Bike fits a range of rider heights and is rated to accept an additional 200 lbs. of cargo. It is fitted with a twin battery system, providing a combined capacity of 1,228 Wh. The batteries feed the high-power 750 W motor, offering up to 90 Nm of torque with either pedal or throttle assist.
Best folding e-Bike for hills: Aventon Sinch

While the Sinch is a folding e-Bike primarily designed for city riding, it comes with multiple features suited for hill climbs: a 500W electric motor delivering up to 80 Nm of torque, a high-capacity 672Wh battery to sustain that power over long commutes, and both pedal and throttle assist modes.
Quality certified pre-owned e-Bikes at Upway
Upway carries a wide range of high-quality new and used electric bikes, whether you need a city commuter, a rugged e-MTB, or a road e-Bike. Transform your daily rides into an adventure up any hill or terrain with Upway’s fleet of electric bikes!
Key Takeaways
- Torque and battery power matter most: For steep hills, look for e-Bikes with high torque (80–90 Nm) and large battery capacity for sustained power.
- Different needs, different bikes: Whether commuting, mountain biking, hauling cargo, or needing portability, there's a hill-ready e-Bike to match your lifestyle.
- Top picks include Aventon Level 2 and Specialized models: These standout options offer power, range, and smart features to handle climbs with ease.