I’ve been an electric bike owner for a few years. When I rode an eBike for the first time, I was baffled about whether the bike’s battery would die during my trip or not. Interestingly, I understood how it works after riding for about 5 months.
But how are electric bikes different from traditional bikes? Do traditional bikes really have batteries that need replacing? If so, how long does an electric bike battery charge last?
Of course, traditional bikes don’t have batteries that need replacement, but electric bikes do. Besides, batteries on new electric bikes can last anywhere from 2 to 5 years.
Before riding, it’s advisable to charge the ebike battery for about 3 to 6 hours, which should last for about 15-100 miles.
Additionally, the battery needs to be stored in a cool and dry place to keep it charged. While you can overcharge your car battery, you also risk decreasing battery life and reducing its life cycle. That’s why you should always follow a routine for charging your battery.
Generally speaking, you should charge your electric bike battery daily. You can also charge your battery after returning from a ride and remove it afterward. If you’ve ridden your bike all day, it’s best to let it charge it overnight.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the points of why charge cycles are essential for bikes. I’m sure you’re ready to explore what we’ve got, so read on!
Why Are Charge Cycles Important for eBikes?
The life of an electric bike’s battery depends on how many times it’s been charged. Each charge is known as a “charge cycle.” When the battery is drained from 100% to 0%, that counts as one charge cycle. Going through these cycles slowly deteriorates the battery and shortens charge life before needing to be charged again.
Let’s walk you through some of the benefits of eBikes.
1. Fast, Reliable, and Flexible
The benefits of using electric bikes are endless. Apart from the pedal assist that differentiates it from traditional bikes, it uses a lithium-ion battery, thereby saving energy wasted on pedaling. By carefully charging your bike, you can extend the life of your bike battery.
2. Great Way to Improve Fitness
According to a study by Switzerland’s University of Basel, an eBike is as good as a traditional bike for improving exercise. Although the eBike has a pedal assist, it’s still good for mental and physical health. However, if you’re a sports enthusiast, it’s always better to compare both bikes before purchasing to best fit your needs.
3. eBikes Reduce Expenses
As a result of the electric bike battery, this bike differentiates itself from the traditional motorbike because gas and diesel are expensive in most countries. But with eBikes using lithium batteries, you can save both time and money.
Does Pedal-assist Save Battery Life?
Before we proceed to answer this question, do you know what pedal-assist is? Pedal assist is basically the main feature of an electric bike. This means as you ride, the bike amplifies your pedal power and makes pedaling much easier.
As a general rule, your electric bike battery will last longer if you use pedal-assist or use pedal-assist only when riding uphill or in rough terrain. In addition, always charge your electric bike battery for the exact amount of time specified in the manufacturer’s recommendations.
Understanding the Types of Electric Bike Batteries
The lifespan and performance of electric bike batteries depend on the type of battery used. There are three broad categories of batteries used for electric bikes:
In this section, we’ll discuss battery type, battery life, capacity, chemical reactions, and watt-hours. Below are the three types of eBike batteries.
1. Lithium-ion Batteries
These are the most widely used battery for electric bikes and are used in products we rely on, including smartphones, digital cameras, laptops, tablets, and many others devices. Make sure to avoid overcharging these batteries.
Additionally, the new Lithium Phosphate battery is known to be more durable and safer to use than other types of batteries.
2. Lead Batteries
Lead batteries are the oldest type of battery used for e-bikes. If you buy a new e-bike, its battery probably won’t be a lead one. Lead batteries have a charge-cycle threshold of only 300 charges and are heavier than their lithium-ion counterparts.
While lithium-ion batteries are the standard for most eBikes today, they can end up costing more than nickel and lead batteries. They also have to be well-maintained because they’re more sensitive to high and low temperatures than other types of batteries.
3. Nickel Batteries
Nickel batteries have similar power to lithium-ion batteries but can self-discharge at a quicker rate. They can last about 500 charge cycles before dipping in performance.
Whichever battery type you choose for your eBike, make sure it has a two-year manufacturer warranty. Sometimes batteries can be discharged more quickly than anticipated, so it’s best to be safe in case your battery is defective.
Do Electric Bicycles Charge When You Pedal?
There is a manufacturer that produces a battery-powered bicycle that charges when pushed. Generating power while pedaling reduces battery usage and saves time. However, most eBike models lack this feature.
So how do you know if your bike is charging during your ride?
You’d likely see a symbol ‘V’ with a solid or dashed line above it, or it may even have VDC as your option. However, learning how your electric bike battery is charging during the ride is more essential and simple than you might think.
Meanwhile, some eBikes come with a feature known as a regenerating braking system that allows the battery to charge when you ride.
How Can I Make My Electric Bike Battery Last Longer?
In comparison to using only the motor while riding, pedal-assist can help save battery life while riding. This is because you’re contributing to the power and making the bike move. The motor is simply helping to make the ride easier.
If you find yourself in a situation where your battery life is low, either turn it off, pedal yourself, or use pedal-assist and select the level you want. Using pedal-assist lets, you choose the level that the motor is helping, and you can select from a low amount to a high amount of help. The more the motor works, the more battery life it uses. If you want to save battery life, use the motor less frequently.
What Happens When an Electric Bike Battery Dies?
If you lose battery power on your eBike, you’ll need to charge it. However, if your battery won’t charge after several attempts, it probably needs replacing.
Not all bikes charge the same, so check out the charger’s owner’s manual and instructions. Once the charging station is ready, the bicycle is ready. Avoid charging the battery, or they’ll wear out faster. Set an automatic timer to charge the battery.
What Is the Capacity of a Bike Battery?
The average bike battery power range is usually 750 Watts/Hour per charge. The battery used for electric bikes is typically a 48 V battery lithium, which runs 45 miles at full power. Battery packs are capable of charging much more and holding their power well.
How Much Does an E-bike Battery Cost to Replace?
Regardless of battery life, the battery will eventually need to be replaced. The bike can travel without one, but it makes for a stiff and heavy ride. Batteries typically used on eBikes can cost between $200-$800 to replace, depending on the bike and brand. It’s one of the most expensive components of your electric bike. Also, the price of batteries can vary between different manufacturers, so check before making any purchases.
Batteries for bikes can be expensive to replace without a warranty on them. When you buy an electric bike, make sure a warranty is either included in the purchase or add one for an extra charge. If you have a warranty, your bike will be covered if something goes wrong with it.
If you don’t have a warranty, you could end up paying quite a lot for a new battery.
To avoid this expense, contact the company when your battery needs to be replaced to see if they can reduce the cost or if they can cover it and send you a new battery.
If you bought a warranty for the battery, provide the information they need to find you in their system so you can get what you already paid for.
What Are the Advantages of Using an eBike?
Because eBike batteries are long-lasting and powerful, they can be used for a variety of tasks regular bikes can’t necessarily provide. They’re also far more economical than motorcycles and cars. These are perfect for commuting to school or work or using to run local errands. Of course, they’re also a great way to exercise.
