My commute is 35 miles and 2000 feet of hills each way. By car it is 45 minutes, $15 of direct cost for gas and bridge toll. By my regular bike it is 3 to 3.5 hours one way, which I would do a few times per year but not possible as a regular commute.
Last Spring I built an e-bike conversion of an old mountain bike, a 750W speed pedelec capable of 28 mph (which is legal in California). The e-bike commute is 2 hours each way and costs a total of 1.2 kW-H or about 25 cents. The bridge crossing is free for the bike. My morning commute is usually cool weather, I arrive at work slightly sweaty but not worth another shower. I am doing the e-bike commute 1 to 2 days per week, which is 4 to 8 hours of fun instead of the time spent in traffic. The commute is a decent workout, definitely improves fitness during the week when I have less time for after work exercise.
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