Commuting bikes are always a compromise.

I have a Priority Apollo 11 gravel bike I was going to use as a commuter. In addition to being a bit heavier, the IGH is also 5-10% less efficient than derailleur. I wound up going down a pulley size on front to get lower gearing to really smash the hills, and that helped. I remind myself that this is not a bike I bought for performance, but for low maintenance and reasonable aerodynamic efficiency.

When it comes down to it though, I use an eBike the most for commuting. It helps with the hills and keeps me just out of The Sweat Zone on warmer days. I don't worry as much about getting a workout on it, because I'm in the bike club and get at least 80 miles a week on a muggle bike in spring/summer/fall. My main commuter is an Aventon Level.2, but if I were to buy again, I'd get a belt drive/Enviolo CVT eBike. (ex. Priority Current) It is REALLY nice not needing to do chain maintenance.

One other thing about the Apollo is that the IGH took some time to break in. It felt really draggy at first. Once the gears broke in, it got a lot better. I'm not worried about maintenance; it is just an oil change in the hub every 2,000 km. (Shimano Alfine 11) Maybe the Enviolo will be similar?

Last thing is that they recommend making the belt very tight. Tight enough that it affects how easily the rear wheel rotates. I run it a lot looser than they recommend, so that the wheel rotates freely, but still have good traction between the belt & pulleys. (there are a lot of teeth engaged, so it doesn't need to be that tight) It hasn't slipped yet, even during standing up and mashing now and then.

I guess The Thing to Do is to decide whether riding efficiency or low maintenance is more important to you. On one end of the spectrum, you have a road bicycle; on the other you have what you have or a commuter eBike.

Something with drop bars set higher might be good. High enough that you're comfortable on the hoods, but can get a bit aero down in the drops without killing your neck. Would be a lot more efficient than a flat bar. Remember too that being upright, with more weight over the butt, carries power penalty than something more forward with weight over the legs.