I had looked at Ebikes for a while, given my knee problems and the big hills on my commute. My cardio and muscle strength is fine, but 30+ years of martial arts left me with knees that have multiple problems. My big concern was whether of not I would still get a workout. I got a chance to go out on an EMTB, and on low boost the cardio workout was still there. Now having owned and commuted on my Haibike for 4 months, I can confirm the cardio workout is still there. Using low boost levels I have cut my commute time from 55 minutes to about 35 minutes, the hills are still a good workout and the flats are a better workout. Now, my knees are under less stress and rarely complain.

People who actually own them, what is your experience?

I get a harder workout on an electric bike, just cause I go faster and that encourages me to pedal faster.

I don't know if you've followed any of my comments on various threads about the Haibike I purchased in October, and so far have spent maybe 5 hours total riding. My other, first, e-bike is a full-throttle Prodeco Outlaw, so there is no exercise to be gained at all riding that, unless I want to turn it off and pedal its full 62 pounds, with one front chain ring and 8 speeds.

So, even on the test ride, which I did for about 45 minutes, maybe an hour tops, on primarily "downtown" suburban city turf, it was more of a workout than I thought it would be. I think the naysayers who seem to think a pedal-assist is somehow magically effortless probably never rode one. I know I'm kind of wondering if this will actually work for me to commute to an office job where I have to stay clean, especially in an olfactory way. I think I may have to be flexible and ride the Haibike on days when the weather isn't as warm or humid, and stick to the Prodeco during the worst weather. Or adjust my schedule and work in a quick stop at my gym, a few miles from my office, to shower and change - but that presents another challenge of carrying even MORE gear/clothing/supplies.

My total ride time before putting into winter storage in my garage, buried behind lawnmowers, patio furniture, etc., was about 5 hours. To me, it definitely is still bicycling - and the term pedal-assist seems really apt - it helps, but it still requires human effort to move the bike forward and up slopes. Not to mention the other, albeit minor point - this thing is heavy, that compensates somewhat for the assistance given by the motor, IMHO, although I certainly do NOT have the science or mechanical background to begin to quantify that.

Even so, still looking forward to trialing it. I invested the money into the bikes, the gear (a couple of different panniers, lights, etc.), I might as well see how it works out.

on my unrestricted EPLUS edrive maximum speed depends on me NOT on the motor, because my pedalling increase speed.
that is what people don't get , once they see motor and throttle they think - scooter.
escaping cars is big motivation for me, the more cars drive by me the more chances that something nasty happens.

As long as you have it in your mindset that you want to pedal and do pedal normally, and only use some assist sometimes to go faster easier, or up hills easier, and end up riding the bike more because it's more useful. Then there is a good chance that you will still get the same amount of exercise as with a regular bicycle that you just don't ride as much...