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How we put this together: we have not ridden this bike ourselves. What follows is based on Brompton’s published specifications and on independent reviews, which we link where we use their figures. Where a number is a manufacturer claim rather than a measured result, we say so. Read more about how we research.
The Brompton Electric P Line Urban 4-speed is the version of Brompton’s folding e-bike built around a titanium rear triangle, a 250W front hub motor, and a removable 300Wh battery that clips to the front of the frame. Brompton claims 34.4 lb with the battery fitted, which is genuinely light for a powered folder.
It is also expensive, and Brompton has since moved its electric range onto a rear-hub system called e-Motiq, which changes what a buyer is choosing between. Below are the verified specifications, what independent reviewers measured, and the trade-offs worth knowing first.
Who this bike is for
The case here is narrow but real. This bike suits a rider whose journey is not only the ride. If a commute involves a train, a car trunk, an office with no bike storage, or an apartment with stairs, the fold is the entire point. It packs small enough to go under a desk, and the motor removes the sweat from moderate hills and headwinds.
It is a poor match for a straight ten-mile ride with secure parking at both ends, where a conventional e-bike with bigger wheels and more gears will be faster, more comfortable, and far cheaper. If portability is not the constraint, start with our roundup of electric bikes for commuting. If it is, our overview of folding e-bikes for easy transportation covers how the category compares.
Key specifications
Figures below are Brompton’s published specifications for this model unless noted otherwise.
| Motor | 250W brushless DC front hub motor |
| Torque rating | Not published by Brompton for this motor |
| Battery | 300Wh, 36V, removable front-mounted pack with LED display and USB output |
| Claimed range | 20 to 45 miles (30 to 70 km), manufacturer claim |
| Charge time | About 4 hours, or about 2 hours with the optional fast charger |
| Class and cutoff | Class 1 in the US, assistance stops at 15.5 mph (25 km/h) |
| Weight with battery | From 34.4 lb (15.6 kg), manufacturer claim |
| Weight without battery | About 12.7 kg (roughly 28 lb) claimed. One tester weighed a rack-equipped sample at 13.3 kg minus battery. |
| Folded dimensions | 25.3 in H x 23 in W x 10.6 in D (roughly 645 x 585 x 270 mm) |
| Gearing | Brompton 4-speed, 163% range, 54T chainring, 11-13-15-18 tooth sprockets |
| Brakes | Brompton dual pivot rim calipers, front and rear |
| Wheels and tires | 16 inch wheels, 35mm Continental Contact Urban tires |
| Frame | Heat-treated steel main frame, titanium rear triangle, carbon fork |
| Warranty | 7 years on the frame, 3 years on the electrical system once registered |
| US price and status | Listed at $4,750, discounted to $4,038 and showing out of stock on Brompton’s US site. The replacement e-Motiq model lists at $5,700 |
What independent testing found
The gap between claimed and measured range is the most useful thing to know here. Cycling Weekly reported roughly 26 to 30 miles on moderate assist in real-world conditions, well under the top of the 45 mile claim (Cycling Weekly). The ebiketips review at road.cc described about 30 miles of usable range and weighed its rack-equipped test bike at 13.3 kg without the battery (road.cc ebiketips). Aggregated review data at BikeRide cites a 167 lb rider covering 21.5 miles on maximum assist (BikeRide). TechRadar found a 14 mile daily commute left little in reserve for the next day (TechRadar).
Taken together, a realistic planning figure is roughly 20 to 30 miles depending on assist level, rider weight, and terrain. That pattern holds across the whole category, for reasons covered in our guide to electric bike range.
Reviewers were consistent on ride character too. The motor was described as a helpful shove rather than a strong push, with a delay of one to two pedal revolutions before assistance engages. Several also noted that the front-mounted battery puts weight over the steering, making the quick handling feel twitchier than on the non-electric version.
Where it falls short
Price is the first hurdle. At roughly $4,750, and $5,700 for the current e-Motiq version, this costs several times what a competent folding e-bike costs. The premium buys fold quality, titanium and carbon parts, and low weight. It does not buy more motor, more battery, or more gears.
The 16 inch wheels are a real limitation on rough surfaces. Small wheels drop into potholes and expansion joints that larger wheels roll over, and with a rigid fork and 35mm tires there is little to absorb that. Broken pavement, gravel, cobbles, and unpaved paths are all worse here than on a full-size bike.
Carrying it folded is harder than the spec sheet suggests. At about 34 lb, and with the battery needing to come off before folding, a rider ends up with a bike in one hand and a pack in the other. It rolls fine on flat station floors, but up a flight of stairs it is a genuine load.
Four gears is the other constraint. A 163% range is narrow, and with assistance stopping at 15.5 mph there is little top-end gearing left for pedaling faster. On sustained climbs, a modest front hub motor plus four ratios leaves fewer options than a hilly commute wants. Riders in hilly cities should treat that as a serious mark against it.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Electric P Line Urban 4-speed still sold new?
It is being phased out. Brompton has moved its electric range to the rear-hub e-Motiq system, and this model has been showing out of stock on Brompton’s US site, with discounted and renewed units listed instead. The current equivalent is the e-Motiq Electric P Line 4-speed at $5,700, using a 345Wh battery with a claimed range of up to 56 miles. Older stock may still sit with dealers.
What range should a buyer actually plan for?
Brompton claims 20 to 45 miles. Independent reviewers landed closer to 21 to 30 miles, with the low end reached on maximum assist. Plan on 20 to 25 miles for a hilly route with heavy assist, or up to 30 miles on flatter ground with light assist. A commute over about 15 miles each way will need charging at the far end.
Are four gears enough for a hilly commute?
For rolling terrain, yes. For sustained steep climbs it is the weakest part of the package. The 163% gear range is narrow, and testers described the motor as helpful rather than powerful on steep gradients. Riders facing regular hard climbs should look at the 12-speed configuration or a different bike.
How much maintenance does it need?
The mechanical side is conventional: a derailleur drivetrain, rim brake pads, and tires, all of which wear faster on 16 inch wheels because they turn more often per mile. Rim brakes also need more frequent inspection than discs. Our guide to electric bicycle maintenance covers the routine checks that apply here.
The bottom line
This bike makes sense for one buyer: someone whose journey mixes riding with carrying, storing, or boarding, who values the fold above all else, and who can absorb the price. For that rider, little else folds this small at this weight with assistance included.
Everyone else should be clear about what the money buys. The motor is modest, real-world range sits well below the headline claim, four gears is limiting on hills, and small wheels punish rough roads. Those are the cost of a fold this good rather than defects. Anyone shopping now should also weigh the newer e-Motiq version, which moves the motor to the rear and adds battery capacity at a higher price.