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Well maintained chains will last 4500km. Cassettes (all steel) are good for two chains.

Mid-drive bikes will go through them quicker than hub-drive. Mine will last about 1250 miles with a 250W Bosch CX motor. If I run it unrestricted then it's even worse.

The front chain ring needs replacing with the chain although I think that is a quirk of the Bosch CX. I can get away with reversing it to extend the life.

I haven't needed to replace the cassette yet.

This is on a well maintained bike, I don't see any difference between summer and winter riding.

The e-bikers passing me in the hills seem to mostly enjoy using quite high gears, which I assume places a higher load on the chains.

It’s also a very heavy bike, with a extra long chain, able to carry two kids and a load of groceries. The chain is probably under some serious strain when going uphill, even when correctly geared and well maintained.

Almost all of the bikes passing me are regular types, eg this[1], meaning no more room for kids and groceries than a regular bike.

That said they might indeed have a heavy-duty chain for all I know.

[1]: https://www.buddybike.no/elsykler/c4/hvit

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