What are the Best Electric Bikes for Steep Hills ?

Written by: Rémy Rossi | April 5, 2025 Time to read 5 min

Ever asked yourself, “Should I get an electric bike for hilly rides?” Here are my top recommendations to fly up the climbs.

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.

Riders on electric gravel bikes


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.

Best e-Bike for hilly commuting: Aventon Level 2

Aventon Level 2 electric bike
The Aventon Level 2 has the right balance of power and comfort to get you to work and back home, all without breaking a sweat. The powerful 500W rear hub electric motor delivers 80 Nm of peak torque and is paired with a high-capacity 636Wh battery for plenty of charge, even when there are battery-draining hills along the route.

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

Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon electric mountain bike
Electric mountain bikes built for the most technical trails and steep hills feature powerful motors, high torque, and heavily treaded tires. The Specialized Turbo Levo SL Comp Carbon delivers with its Specialized 2.2 SL mid-drive motor, generating up to 90 Nm of torque with pedal assistance. This popular model blends power with efficiency with a lightweight carbon fiber frame, giving you the power-to-weight ratio to let you conquer the steepest inclines.

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

Specialized Turbo Vado SL electric bike
If you’ve been looking for the most efficient electric bike for an adventure on hilly roads, look no further than the Specialized Turbo Vado SL. This high-performance e-Bike is designed to be as fast, lightweight, and practical as possible. The ultra-light materials ensure the Turbo Vado weighs less than 33 lbs., much lighter than other models of the same class.

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

Carrying loads with a traditional cargo bicycle can be challenging, especially when dealing with hills and inclines. The electric assist of a cargo e-Bike, however, offers huge help when transporting groceries, packages, luggage, or passengers over hilly routes.

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

Aventon Sinch electric folding bike
Folding e-Bikes combine the convenience of a standard commuting e-Bike with portability. Like with standard city e-Bikes, specific folding models, like the Aventon Sinch, have the features you need to tackle any hill, ridge, or inclined road.

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


  1. 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.
  2. Different needs, different bikes: Whether commuting, mountain biking, hauling cargo, or needing portability, there's a hill-ready e-Bike to match your lifestyle.
  3. Top picks include Aventon Level 2 and Specialized models: These standout options offer power, range, and smart features to handle climbs with ease.



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