But you really can't.

1) cars can go a lot faster and on highways

2) cars can haul lots of cargo

3) cars can have 3-6 passengers

4) cars drive just fine in strong wind / rain / snow

5) cars are a lot safer on roads

There are obvious disadvantages too, but, regardless, ebikes are not car replacements. They are good for relatively short trips in places with good bicycle infrastructure.

If you commute less than, say, 10 miles, to work then they are a functional replacement for a car.

You can hire a car, or a van, for other tasks that require those advantages. Or even (shock!) use public transport.

Yeah, so if you ignore all the points I've made, it is indeed a replacement. So is riding a unicycle. Or walking.

But he/she didn't. In most cities you can rent cars by the hour and that is enough for a lot of people.

6) cars don't get stolen as easily

I use my bike 90% of the time. But unfortunately, I do need a car for the remaining 10%.