New to eBikes - where to start?

Hey everyone!

Just joined the forum and super excited to dive into the eBike world. I've been eyeing them for a while and finally ready to take the plunge. I'm looking to replace some car trips, maybe a 10-15 mile commute on mostly paved roads with some gentle hills, and also explore some local rail trails on weekends. For those of you who've been through it, what's the absolute first thing you'd recommend a newbie considers when looking to buy their first eBike? So many options out there, it's a bit overwhelming!