The Kalkhoffs were bought because they were towards the top of the tree then. High capacity batteries and their own motor made them the 'best buy' (of a small field) for our use. They have been excellent, but Kalkhoff dropped the ball with subsequent upgrades, and now the field is awash with offerings (if not with stock at the moment).
If budget is limited, and/or use is going to be "light" then you'll probably be ok with a front or rear hub motor, and a smaller battery. People describe good usage in such circumstances, and I would describe such models as adequate. There are quite a few " fly by night" suppliers and brands however, so do your research if you want to be able to get spares (if your battery dies, you've lost your investment if you can't get a proprietary spare).
I would recommend a good ride before buying though, and try to get a test of a crank drive model for comparison.
These latter have several advantages; as I said above, the whole feel of the ride is much more like a normal bike, but easier. The assistance is applied through the gearing, which helps with this, and can provide greater assistance at the wheels. On hub drive models, particularly front hub, I felt like the bike was controlling me, not vice versa.
Most major names now offer such models, and unlike the original Kalkhoffs they now generally buy in the motor and electronics. Shimano, Yamaha, etc. and more ubiquitously, Bosch. Whilst I'm not convinced the latter is technically the best, it's ubiquity means you'll always find spares and repairs nearby.
I'd probably recommend Bosch nowadays for that reason, with at least a 400wh battery, and preferably 500wh. If you realise that a battery could be up to £800, with the motor and electronics you're talking around £1400 before you hang a bike round them, so you're in the £2000 and up range with these.
As with normal bikes, you can pay what you wish for the actual bike, and nowadays select a variance of bike types fitted with the desired motor (and from various bike brands). That's your choice (but do ride if you can before buying). Even the starter price components tend to be at least reasonable, and are usually at the heavier duty end of normal bike components. So, flexibility on gears (hub or derailleur) brakes, etc. much like a normal bike. (though the more sophisticated hub gears can synchronise with gear changes, cutting the power momentarily). I'd avoid a rear rack battery in favour of a down tube mounted one, they're heavy and centre of gravity is important. I'd also avoid integral frame batteries; they look nice, but are proprietary; a replacement standard Bosch battery is widely available.
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