traingang

Not cheap, but the Ariel Rider X seems to be the best you can get for speed/comfort/range. Costs between $2-3k

If you're in the US:

https://lectricebikes.com/collections/xp4-ebikes - This is the cheapest ebike I would buy from the cheapest brand I'd consider reputable. You aren't getting high-quality components but it won't explode and the customer service is good. The XP4 with a 750w motor is a folding ebike (I don't recommend folding models in general because there's a single failure point in the frame. Only get this if you need to transport it up stairs) that will do everything you need a bike to do. I have an Xpress 750 commuter bike and it does the job. They also have a dual-battery cargo bike model with a 250km range, but you'd want to swap out some of the components on it.

https://www.aventon.com/products/abound-lr-ebike?variant=44189242818755 - This is my cargo bike and it's brilliant. I can fit 60kg on the back, the low height makes it super stable/easy to ride, and it has an electronic wheel/kickstand lock. I would also recommend this brand for commuter and mountain bikes due to that electronic lock and higher-quality components than Lectric. The Level, Adventure, and Sinch models are all highly rated.

https://upway.co/ - They sell "used" models, mostly unsold inventory from bike stores. You can save maybe 30-50% of sticker price with a one year warranty through them. Higher quality brands like Tern and Specialized can be bought for Aventon/Lectric prices. They also have a European storefront.

Absolutely avoid anything on Amazon with a gibberish name. 90% of bike components come from China and most companies just relabel generic Aliexpress bikes with generic low-quality components. A good battery might set you back $500, but you have to invest in that or you risk water infiltration and lithium fires. You really want a model with good brakes, tyres, and electronics. Only sticking to the brands they sell on Upway is a good barometer for quality.

I'd also probably start with a cargo bike for maximum utility/safety. Wide 20" tyres with a step-through frame means the ride is super stable even during bad weather. With the taller bikes adding weight to the tail throws off your centre of gravity and makes turning more sketchy. With my cargo bike I can transport four bags of groceries, another adult, two kids, or any random object that I can find a way to tie down. It goes the same speed as my commuter bike so there's never a moment where I feel like I should use that instead. A cargo bike feels like owning a kei truck.

edit: Also, look at the payment plan options and calculate your cost around those. $2000 for my cargo bike seems like a lot up front, but I pay like $180 per month at 0% APR. Being able to get a higher quality bike with a payment plan means saving money and time on repairing a cheaper one. If I had to do it over again, I'd have splurged on a $2500 Specialized Globe Haul or $3000 Tern GSD just to have extreme reliability at the cost of like $50/mo more.

Whereabouts on the globe?