The eBike is an electric bike, with motor and battery. The motor helps you up a hill and into the wind, as long as you pedal. If you don't for half a second or a second, then the motor will switch off and the eBike rolls free, till you pedal again then the motor will assist you via a wheel connected to the chain.

The electromotor has between 250 W and up to 500W of power.

It runs on a Lithium Ion Mangan battery, much like used in PDA's, mobile phones and Handy's.

It's light, yet voltage and thus power remains quite constant till it runs flat.

Pedelec is the trm used by French speaking people.

Flyer is one of the producers of eBikes. It has a robust ALU frame. It i quite expensive, say 3300 CHF for the lightest model. See below for cheaper options. You find eBikes in various Basel shops.

Brands 

Many other frame/bike producers like RALEIGH and MOOVER will assemble eBikes too, using very good parts of different suppliers such as Flyer (Battery), Motor (Panasonic), Gear (Shimano), brakes, ...
The result is a much cheaper eBike.

Where to buy good yet cheap

I bought my eBike on recommendation from a Basler inhabitant, who sent me to the second hand and liquidation shop named "Velomärkte"  (velomaerkte.ch). They sell velos in a shop behind the Bärfusserkirche. There is only a white door (the area is a protected monument) , and best is to go there on Saturdays in the morning, so they used to give an extra 10% rebate. I bought my Raleigh at only 1799 CHF. You need a few extras like a good lock (safety grade 7 or 8, like for 80 CHF), and you may also opt for a basket. Make sure your bike has the "Pletcher" adapter ready mounted, to carry luggage above the rear wheel. Pletcher baskets, bags etc, can then be mounted / exchanged with a click.

Sample (as of writing) on today's website announced is an eBike from MOOVER, original price 3330 CHF, in the shop normally only 2099 CHF, and exceptionally on Saturday now for 1799 CHF.

Flyer Battery (see picture) or another brand?

The battery of Flyer is in some way become the standard. When you rent a Bike then most probably it's a Flyer with Flyer battery. You can take a second battery with you in the luggage, so you can do a total of 160 kms. If you buy an eBike with the same type of Flyer battery, you can share the extra battery with your companion. If you buy an ebike with another type of motor and battery, you wouldn't be able to exchange batteries during your trips.

Need More Power?

The standard motor produces 250 W. That is 0,25 KW, or 0,33 Horsepower.

The eBike will be limited electronically to 25 KM/H (you can go faster of course, but then without assistence)

The more performant motor may produce up to 500W, and the eBike may help you to do 38 KM/H

But the eBike must be declared and you must have a license for this.

Like to Motorbike?

Some eBikes come with an optional button. If you press it, the motor will work on its own, without you having to pedal. Also in this case you need a license from the Swiss authorities. 

With a bar, or easy step in

The eBike with a bar is normal for Men. Many women also ride such a bike (old race bike style, vintage style) just because it's "in".

Opposite to this, for practical reasons I have the low or easy step in model. When I have a basket behind, and my "Rücksack" in the basket, it's quite high to get my leg over all that to get on or off the eBike. I like this low setp in. The frame is a bit less stiff that way, and heavy luggage (such as when I went shopping to MIGROS) at the back can have a slight effect on your steering (surprising the first time, but nothing to worry about)