IME of commuting in NYC metro for the last 10 years, I'd suggest getting the cheapest, most reliable bike you can find to use as a commuter.
If you have a safe place to store your bike each time you step away from it, then you think about upgrading to a better bike.

There are good reasons why delivery folks on ebikes pick the cheap Chinese hub motor ebikes to earn their living while operating 24/7, in all weather.
Those ebikes take a beating, often neglected and keeps on ticking. I have no doubt they get abused plenty.
When bicycling is about utility, getting to places you want/need to be, have risks of getting hit by motor vehicles, riding over potholes or stolen by thieves; think about the priorities of the ebike you want.

I'm in my late 40's, I don't need a folding or step-thru frame, but I use them for my daily commute.
Smaller the bike, smaller the target for motorists to hit. With my folding bike, I store it indoors, less risk of getting it stolen.
If weather gets real bad, I take the folding bike onto the subway or bus.
Being fashionable, performance oriented cycling is not what I commute on bicycle for.