For riders who want something versatile but don’t want to cross the $2,000 line, there are solid choices around $1,200–$1,500. These give you decent range, a strong motor, and enough comfort to handle both pavement and light off-road use.
And if you’re after pure affordability, there are foldable fat tire e-bikes for about $1,000–$1,200. They won’t be as polished or high-end, but they’re practical, fun, and still give you that extra grip and stability fat tires are known for.