There are some ways that ebikes could substitute for cars, and others that they can’t. It comes down to people being willing to change habits (eg: using the bike with panniers for shopping instead of the car) and accept small inconveniences (smaller loads on the bike than in the car) for larger benefits.

But speaking as a keen cyclist (back of the pack age group hack), I’m all in favour. Ebikes are still bikes. They just make it more accessible to the general public, and that’s a good thing.

In my city (500 000 residents), I sold my car. I travel by electric bike, by bus, by cab.