What practical ebike?

My partner would like to get an ebike for commuting to work, but the choice out there is overwhelming. Please could we get recommendations? Ideally,

• On the practical end of the load lugging scale without being a cargo bike (Mostly used for unloaded commuting, but capable of reasonable shopping trips to avoid sitting in traffic)
• “nippy” (perhaps the lighter end of the spectrum so it can be lifted onto trains etc)
• Reasonably powerful – we live on a very steep hill
• Big enough seatpost that I (20cm taller) can borrow it to go to the shops (She trialled a raleigh crossover that I borrowed a lot, due to the above hill)
• Integrated lights?

It’s hard to know where the sweet spot is in terms of battery size and motor power vs. weight. Her commute is 10 miles each way and ideally done in turbo mode the whole way. All the lighter bikes seem to be hub motors, which I thought were considered inferior?

Thanks!

Reasonably powerful – we live on a very steep hill

This plus wanting to go shopping probably tips it to needing a mid motor to me. We’ve a radwagon (very heavy hub motored cargo bike) and it’s zippy up to a certain gradient after which it really bogs down (it does still help a lot- I can get up our local two chevron on it in normal clothes without turning into a sweaty mess, but it really doesn’t feel like it while you’re doing it).

Something toward the mountain bike end of hybrid with rack and pannier capability would be what i’d be looking at.

I’d say these are likely to be available on the cheaper end of ebikes so it’s less of a commitment. If after a year or two you discover you really want a Tern it’s less sunk costs to switch!

(I don’t have experience of the mid motors to offer an opinion of what’s good to go for)

Have a look at the cube reaction hardtails, bosch motor, available with integrated lights/mudguards/rack/sidestand.
my wife has one, with a 625 battery, hard to fault it really.
but, lightweight it is not.  That’s no problem riding, but it may matter if it needs to be lifted onto a train etc.

I’ve got a Moustache Samedi that is halfway between a hybrid and MTB – has 50mm tyres, fitted with mudguards, rack and lights, plus Bosch CX mid-motor. Ticks all your boxes except weight. I use it as a utility bike, particularly in summer where village centre parking is tricky and it’s 1km at 10% climb home which is no fun with full panniers.

I have a Carrera Crossfuse (not Crossfire) which has Bosch Active Line Plus mid-drive. I run mine with 45mm tyres. The assistance goes from 35nm to 50nm in 5nm steps Eco-Tour-Sport-Turbo. I have added rear rack, barbag & mudguards, plus lights.

I bought it second hand for £700. It isn’t light, but nothing will be. I have modded mine to run an Alfine rear hub.

You can add integrated lights to most mid-drives.

I do 8 miles each way. Easy…