An electric bike’s battery is the powerhouse and heart of every ride, meaning it is one of the most crucial components of the vehicle. Without a high-quality battery, you won’t be able to enjoy reliable performance and make the most out of your journeys. This component also requires careful maintenance and attention, especially due to the inherent hazards linked to Lithium-ion batteries.

Some potential hazards include fire and the risk of overheating, which is why it's essential to understand and take care of your e-bike battery for its safe and extended use. Keep reading as we delve into how you can extend the life of an electric bike battery and factors that affect its functionality.

How do Electric Bike Batteries Work?

Most e-bikes integrate 500 to 200-watt batteries, providing 12 to 10 amps or 50 to 20 volts of power. Similar to laptops and phones, these batteries are charged using a charger that needs to be plugged into a wall outlet and may still remain attached to the bike or removed and charged externally. They feature a management system to monitor energy levels, preventing them from over- or undercharging. We recommend not keeping your battery plugged in for long periods as this reduces its lifespan much quicker.

Emovement Batteries

Here at Emovement, we’ve integrated Li-ion batteries in our electric bike models for extended range and long-lasting use, ranging from road e-bikes to eMTBs. A lithium-ion battery usually lasts around 1000 to 500 full charge cycles, giving you around 5 to 3 years of functionality. We offer a various battery capacity choices, including:

7 Ah
10 Ah
12.8 Ah
14 Ah
20 Ah
27 Ah

This way, riders can choose the perfect balance between affordability, range and power according to their needs. Our bikes can travel up to 100 km on a single charge, meaning you don’t have to worry about running out of charge in the middle of your commute or an exciting adventure.

Factors Affecting E-Bike Battery Life

Let’s now consider factors that influence how long a pedelec’s battery lasts:

Proper Storage

Unless you store your bike’s battery in a cool and dry place to protect it from extreme temperatures, it won’t last for a long time or perform effectively. Additionally, detach the battery to prevent power damage or drain caused by vibrations due to handling or transportation if you’re not going to use your bike for extended periods.

Temperature

Another factor that significantly affects an electric bike’s battery lifespan is harsh climate and extreme temperatures. Battery cells degrade much faster in high temperatures, decreasing their overall lifespan and capacity. In contrast, extreme cold can reduce the frequency of chemical reactions occurring within the battery, and result in decreased range and reduced power output.

User Habits

Developing good battery habits is essential to optimal e-bike battery performance. Riders need to have a strong grip on the difference between manual and electric modes. While the pedal assistance option offers an easier ride than pedalling manually, it puts additional strain on the battery. When you’re on a short trip or cycling on flat terrain, try to use the manual mode so you can make the most out of your battery’s life.

Cycling Conditions

Where and how you ride your e-bicycle is more important than you think. Conditions like rider weight, terrain, and weather all play a role in how well the battery performs. A pedelec’s motor is driven by the energy from the battery, which is why the motor has to work harder on rough terrains and steep hills. Such terrains reduce overall battery range and lead to increased energy consumption. The same applies to weather conditions like strong headwinds or snowstorms.

Tips for extending Electric Bike Battery Life

Here’s a few practices you should adopt to extend your bike’s battery:

Read the User Manual Thoroughly

Almost every e-bike company provides a user manual when you make a purchase from their collection that entails important details regarding optimising performance and increasing the vehicle’s battery life. The user manual typically includes information on pedal assistance, riding condition, throttle operation, recommended riding speeds according to the area, and much more. For this reason, knowing the ins and outs of your bike and following the manual’s instructions will help improve battery life. Consider, for example, our Troy Pro which is much more suited for the UK’s roads than offroad trails.

Avoid Accelerating Suddenly

Whether a vehicle contains a battery or combustion engine, sudden deceleration and acceleration harm its overall mileage. Since acceleration may increase quite quickly, it’s crucial to ride at a steady pace when you own an EV. Being quick to accelerate puts stress on your battery by draining large amounts of charge and gives less range for your daily adventures.

Use Safe Charging Stations

Overcharging lithium batteries results in the risk of explosion, which can be life threatening and an expensive mess to clean up. In order to prevent putting your life and finances at risk, it’s a good idea to find the right location for charging your pedelec. Designate locations that are dry and free from humidity like a room outside your house or an empty garage as a charging station for your electric bike.

Charge the Battery Mindfully

The battery life of an e-bike is measured based on charging cycles, with one usage charge lasting from 100% state of charge to 0%. A typical Li-ion battery lasts for about 500 to 300 charge cycles. You should keep the following strategies in mind:

Avoid fast charging unless absolutely necessary because it is mostly a marketing tactic to attract customers. Most Li-ion batteries are designed for Level 2 charging using a 220V wall socket.
Keep your state of charge between 80% to 20%; charging an e-bike battery to 100% every time also doesn’t help in extended use. An upper charging limit can be set if you buy from certain manufacturers and cap daily charging cycles at 80%.
Don’t drain your battery to 0% or indulge in deep discharging as this reduces battery life. It’s recommended to never let your battery level drop below 20% for optimal health.
Keep a note of your daily commute and how much charging it requires so you don’t have to carry a backup battery or buy one.

Use the Charger Provided by Your Manufacturer

When you don’t use the charger provided by the manufacturer to charge your bike, both battery life and performance are affected negatively. Sometimes, using a charger from a different brand may lead to a battery explosion but this is an extreme scenario. Still, it is always better to be cautious and put your safety first.

Invest in Electric Bike Insurance

Electric bikes work on a more complex mechanism than traditional bikes, so it is essential to secure their maintenance and service with comprehensive insurance. With the right insurance, riders can enjoy their journeys without worrying about sudden and unfortunate circumstances such as theft, damages, vandalism, third-party liabilities, etc.

E-Bike Maintenance Strategies for Extended Use

Frequent maintenance checks are key to ensure your E-movement electric bike is operating safely and consistently providing the best cycling experience:

Make sure you check for broken parts, spokes, and loose bolts before taking your pedelec out for a spin.
Partially charge the battery and store it in a dry, cool place.
Clean and maintain your bike regularly, such as keeping the tyres properly inflated and the drivetrain well lubricated.
Use the correct charger to charge your battery
Always keep an eye out for software updates
If you have a flat battery, remove it before you store your e-bike somewhere
In case you find a fault in your vehicle, don’t try to take apart or fix components by yourself. Instead, you should visit the company where you made the purchase and visit their trusty technicians. They will inspect and provide service for your electric bike.

For a detailed guide on maintenance, check out our article here.

Conclusion

E-bikes are increasingly gaining popularity all over the world, making it essential to adopt practices and strategies that keep your vehicle in its optimal performing condition. One of the best ways to do this is to pay special attention to your vehicle’s battery life so that you can use it for an extended period. If you’re unsure how to achieve this, go through our comprehensive guide above.

FAQs

1. How to prolong e-bike battery life?

To prolong your electric bike battery's life, avoid deep discharges and charge it when it’s around 20-30%. Store the battery in a cool, dry place, keeping it clean to prevent dirt and moisture from affecting its performance.

2. How can I make my bike battery last longer?

Riding in lower assist modes and pedalling more can reduce the strain on your battery. Additionally, maintaining proper tyre pressure and keeping your bike in good condition helps maximise battery efficiency.

3. How do I extend the battery range on my e-bike?

Use lower power modes, ride at a steady pace, and avoid excessive weight or steep hills if you wish to extend your bike’s range. Planning routes with less wind and fewer inclines can also conserve battery life.

4. What is the lifespan of an electric bike battery?

An e-bike battery typically lasts 2 to 5 years or 500 to 1,000 charge cycles, depending on use and care. Extreme temperatures and poor charging habits may shorten its lifespan, leading to reduced range over time.