The commute to work, a Sunday excursion, or the ride to your weekly supermarket visit – for whatever purpose, e-bikes are a reliable, environmentally friendly, and fun alternative to other transportation options.
Have you decided to join the e-bike family and have understood all the things to know before your e-bike purchase? Then the next step is digging deeper into e-bike battery 101!
E-bike batteries are arguably one of the most important components on your e-bike and choosing the right one is super important for being completely satisfied with your e-bike, as they will define for how long and how far you will be able to ride.
This guide will tell you everything to know about e-bike batteries, as well as tips and tricks for their proper care and maintenance!
When choosing an e-bike, terms such as volt, amp-hours, and watt will most likely cross your search – understanding and decrypting the meaning of these figures is sometimes more challenging than the actual e-bike choice!
Volt means power and shows how powerful your battery can be. The higher the voltage, the more or the faster energy can be moved – and the more power your bike will have!
Ampere hour indicates the capacity of the e-bike battery. The higher the amp hours, the greater the battery range and distance you can travel! Also, the higher the degree of a charger’s amperage, the faster the battery can be charged.
Watt ultimately determines how far your e-bike will go. The greater the number of watt-hours, the more power and the longer the range. The watt-hour depends on a lot of different factors, such as the rider’s weight, the type of riding, temperature, etc.
Most of today’s e-bikes are equipped with a lithium-ion battery, as they can store a great amount of power while being lightweight. These batteries offer a great range, reliability, and longevity. So, no matter whether you’re pulling a cargo with your kids in the back or are carrying your grocery purchases, your e-bike will support you.
As a general rule of thumb, it is usually best to get a larger and higher-quality battery, as the last thing you would want is being far from home and suddenly losing power. Keep in mind that all the extra weight that you might need to carry on your e-bike will affect the battery’s power – no matter whether it’s the cargo with your kids, or your heavy backpack filled with the groceries for your family dinner.
The battery is the powerhouse of your e-bike
Defining the lifespan of the e-bike battery
Pinpointing the exact distance your e-bike will be able to go with its battery is almost impossible, as it depends on a variety of factors. Entry-level e-bikes can give about 30-60km, while higher-end brands can range up to 120km on a single charge. The weather, cargo weight, surface, rider weight, and battery age have however the last say in that!
This is why it is recommended to choose an e-bike with a battery that has a slightly larger capacity than ordinarily needed, as you never know which conditions you will face! Like with your phone battery, the performance of the battery will slowly deteriorate throughout the years – investing in an e-bike with a high-quality battery upfront will make your life a lot easier.
Lithium-ion batteries are generally definitely built to last and will give you reliable performance for the years to come.
Extending the range of e-bike battery
If you have to conserve the energy of your e-bike and try to go longer distances on a low charge, several tips will extend the range.
As stopping, starting, and braking on your e-bike pulls a lot of energy out of your battery, try to adapt your riding style if necessary. Carrying heavy weight definitely also drains energy! Also, riding on smooth and flat surfaces will extend the e-bike battery range compared to hilly and slow terrain.
E-bike batteries degrade over time, but there are several tips and tricks you can follow that will keep your battery in great condition and performance.
Most importantly, you should always handle your battery with care – treat it like it is part of your family! Paying attention and avoiding vibration will limit the chances of a shortened battery life.
Store and charge the battery indoors at room temperature and avoid storing it in direct sunlight – the battery enjoys the shade!
Always make sure to disconnect the battery as soon as it is fully charged.
Your e-bike battery will be damaged if you continuously over-charge it; many e-bikes are equipped with a battery management system, which prevents over-charging and discharging!
The duration of the charge very much depends on the size of the battery and the quality of the charging cable. Do talk to your local bike shop for choosing the correct charger for your e-bike battery.
The battery can be charged regardless of its current charge level – just remember that batteries have a limited charge cycle, so you should usually not charge the battery at any chance you get!
It is also recommended to avoid discharging or emptying the battery completely. Do however try to always recharge after a ride!