All you need to know about looking after your e-Bike Battery.
So you are new to the world of electric bikes, and wondering what is the best practice to get the most out of your e-bike’s battery and to prolong its life span? Great! Well hopefully in this quick start guide we can shine a light on those burning questions, with all you need to know about looking after your e-Bike Battery.
Pre-Purchase
When looking at purchasing a new electric bike, there are various options now on the market varying from brand to brand. We stock a range of bikes with systems from Yamaha, Bosch, MAHLE, Specialized, and Fazua. Each option of motor and battery has its own characteristics, which can change the way you need to care for it.
Regardless of the brand of the e-bike system, a battery will not last forever. This can be classed as the natural service life of a battery. Unfortunately, you shouldn’t expect an e-bike battery to last forever. It will naturally discharge over time as it goes through charging cycles throughout use and its lifespan. Most systems will be covered by a warranty for up to 2 years, or equal to a specific number of charges. In fact, Bosch themselves state that the battery should be good for around 10 years or 1500 complete charge cycles.
How long does a charge last on an individual ride? Akin to how long is a piece of string, this is a question that does not have one definitive answer. Unknown, infinite, variable, or relative quantities and qualities will affect the distance achieved. Thankfully for us, Bosch has created a fantastic range assistant tool so you can try to work out your effective range as accurately as possible.
Cleaning
The cleaning routine of an e-bike doesn’t differ too much from a standard road, hybrid, or mountain bike – you can use the same principles.
- To get started, make sure your e-bike system is fully turned off.
- If your bike is able to, remove the external battery and/or remove any range extender packs and associated cables.
- Ensure all charge or connection ports are closed or covered, to avoid any water ingress.
- Rinse your bike from top to bottom with low-pressure water to remove loose dirt or mud. (AVOID using a high-powered hose or pressure washer!)
- Clean the frame and wheels with a suitable e-bike-friendly cleaner, with soft bristled brushes to avoid any unsightly scratches or swirls.
- Work backward through the drivetrain to clean away the grime and grease left over.
- Rinse the bike one final time, then pat dry with a drying towel. Especially over the sensitive areas like the TCU and charging ports to ensure no water is left behind.
- Once the chain has been dried, apply a fresh coating of specific e-bike lube for longevity and efficiency.
- You’re finished!
Storage
When storing your e-bike battery for long periods of time it is best to keep it partially charged. If you store the battery completely flat then you run the risk of damaging the internals of the cells. Best practices are to keep it in a secure place that is not exposed to extreme temperatures above 30 °C, or below 0 °C, excessive sun exposure, humidity, or condensation. Ideally, you will want to store the bike at temperatures between 10 °C and 25 °C. Unfortunately for us here in the UK, storing your pride and joy in a cold damp shed over the winter months is not the best solution. So, look to bring the bike inside if you can or at least remove the battery.
How often should you service an electric bike?
In many senses, electric bicycle maintenance is no different from that of a non-assisted bike. However, some components, and particularly the drivetrain (cranks, chain and sprockets), are subject to greater forces and increased wear. Therefore, washing your ebike regularly and keeping it well maintained is of utmost importance if you want to get the most out of the bike. First things first, a clean bike is a happy bike. Dirt and mud increase wear on components and, when mixed with water and grease, can form a paste that will, at best, decrease the efficiency of your bike and, at worst, quickly wear through consumable parts. The smoother your electric bike runs, the more efficient it will be, and the longer your key components will last. Keep the drivetrain clean and running well: battery life and power output are irrelevant if your gears are grinding and skipping all over the place. Riding a bike with a clean, efficient drivetrain, along with correctly adjusted gears, is ultimately a more pleasurable experience and will help you get the most from the bike in the long run.
If your drivetrain looks excessively dirty (usually an accumulation of black gunk on the chain or, on electric mountain bikes in particular, mud stuck in the jockey wheels of the rear derailleur), you can give it a quick clean with a rag, or a deep clean with degreaser. We’ve got separate guides on how to clean a bike and how to clean a bike chain. Electric bike chains tend to require more frequent lubrication than non-assisted bicycle chains. Regularly applying a quality lubricant to your chain will ensure the transmission runs efficiently. It’s a good idea to do this after every ride, and certainly after washing and drying the bike. Otherwise, read our guide on how to choose and apply the best chain lube for your bike. Applying lubricant to an ebike sometimes isn’t as simple as it seems. You can’t back-pedal most ebikes, so try putting the bike in a workstand (or get a friend to hold the rear wheel off the ground) so you can turn the pedals to let the lube drip onto the chain evenly. If your bike has a ‘walk’ mode, you can engage it so that the cranks (and rear wheel) spin around slowly, allowing you to lube the chain easily.
Keeping your tyre pressures at the right level will help your ebike run more efficiently. Katherine Moore / Immediate Media
You should also regularly check your ebike’s tyre pressures. Under-inflated tyres are not only potentially dangerous, but they can also waste power and reduce efficiency, meaning you’ll get less out of a battery charge. Equally, running tyres at too high a pressure can compromise comfort and grip, especially if you’re riding off-road. As a starting point, keep your tyres inflated to within the recommended pressures indicated on the sidewall but experiment to find the ideal pressure for you, balancing weight, comfort, grip and rolling resistance. Want to know more? We’ve got guides to road bike tyre pressure and mountain bike tyre pressure.
Component wear and tear
Many ebikes now use components developed specifically for assisted riding. This means stronger parts made to withstand the added forces that go through an ebike, due to the increased power output, speed and overall weight of the bike. Electric bike drivetrains tend to be beefier and have different gear ranges from non-assisted bikes. Ebike-specific wheels and tyres are also sturdier, forks stronger, brakes more powerful, and so on. Nonetheless, despite this additional reinforcement, you are still demanding a lot from an electric bike, whether pedalling, braking, turning, climbing or descending, so it’s a good idea to keep a keen eye on the components and frame for loose bolts or damaged parts. Regularly safety check your bike to ensure that all bolts and axles are tightened to the manufacturer’s recommended torque settings, check your tyres for anything that might cause a puncture and test for any loose spokes. Watch out for excessive wear, too. If one part wears out, such as the chain, it can have a knock-on effect on other components – such as causing premature wear to the chainrings and cassette. We’ve got a guide to chain wear so you can spot any issues before they become a problem.
How to wash an electric bike
There are a few additional things to consider when washing an ebike. Alex Evans / Immediate Media
We’ve already covered the importance of keeping your bike clean to improve its efficiency and lifespan, but let’s take a closer look at how to wash an electric bike. Electric bike motors and batteries are sealed units and, therefore, shouldn’t let in any water, but you should avoid washing any bicycle – electric or not – with a powerful jet wash because the power of the water could force its way through the bike’s numerous seals. Wash your ebike with water from a bucket or low-pressure hose, a brush and (optionally) a bike-specific cleaning product to quickly cut through dirt and grime. Ensure that all connections remain sealed by leaving the battery in its housing, but turn the ebike system off before washing it (and unplug it from the charger). Charging ports can accumulate dirt, so check inside and brush out any mud with a dry cloth or brush. Keep the port closed when washing the bike. After washing the bike, dry it off with a clean cloth, making sure to avoid the disc brakes (you don’t want to accidentally contaminate them with any oil or other cleaning products used elsewhere on the bike). Every now and then you might want to give the battery contacts a clean. You can do this with a soft, dry brush, a cloth and (optionally) switch lubricant. If your bike has a range-extender battery (an optional second battery that can be connected for longer rides), you should always disconnect it before cleaning and clean the connections with a soft, dry brush. Your ebike may have a speed sensor magnet on its wheel. Clean this with a soft cloth to avoid any problems.
Waterproofing and repairs
Provided you’re careful, you’re unlikely to damage your motor when washing your ebike. Immediate Media
As mentioned above, the battery and motor of an ebike are well sealed to prevent any water damage. That doesn’t mean it’s absolutely impossible for water to get in, but with a certain level of common sense and care, you won’t need to worry. Things to avoid with an electric bike include using a jet wash and fully submerging the bike. No lake jumps then, sorry! The motor itself is in a factory-sealed unit and you should never attempt to take it apart for maintenance or to try and fix a problem. If it seems like there is something wrong with the motor or system, visit the store where the bike was purchased or take the bike to a reputable dealer. Some electric bike insurance policies cover loss or damage to your ebike’s battery.
Why Charge Cycles are Important for E-bikes
Thinking about your battery life in terms of years isn’t very accurate because some people ride their e-bike more than others. The most accurate way to measure how long your electric bike battery will last is through charge cycles.
Charge cycles are defined as the number of full charges that a battery can endure before it degrades to a point where it is no longer usable. The more charging cycles an electric bike battery goes through, the less capacity it will have.
It’s important to remember that a charge cycle is a full charge from 0% to 100% of your battery’s capacity. If you go for a ride and come back home with 50% battery capacity remaining then charge up to 100%, that counts as half of a charge cycle. If your battery is at 65% and you only have time to charge it up to 90%, that counts as a quarter of a charge cycle.
Most modern e-bikes come with lithium-ion batteries. An average lithium-ion e-bike battery can last for 500-1000 charge cycles before it needs to be replaced.
Other types of batteries also exist including nickel and lead-acid batteries. On average, a nickel battery can last for around 500 charge cycles. A lead-acid battery lasts for around 300 cycles. These are older battery technologies but they are still used on some e-bikes.
After a certain number of charge cycles, the battery life will degrade and you will need to replace the battery. Ebike batteries are easily replaceable but they are costly.
How Often Do Electric Bikes Need Charging?
Ideally, you should charge your e-bike when the battery has 30%-60% of its capacity remaining. It’s best to keep the battery between 20-80% of its capacity. It is also recommended that you fully discharge your battery every 30-40 charges. This means it’s a good idea to plug your e-bike in after most rides.
How often you need to charge your e-bike depends on a number of factors including how often you ride, the distances you ride, the conditions you ride in, your riding habits, the climate, and the power delivery method.
If you ride every day, you’ll have to charge more often than if you ride once a week. If you regularly ride long distances, you’ll have to keep the battery fully charged so you have enough range. When you ride uphills, into headwinds, or off-road, you’ll have to charge more frequently because this type of riding uses more power. If you like to accelerate quickly and ride fast, you’ll also have to charge more often because riding in this way is less efficient. If you ride in cold weather, you’ll also have to charge more frequently. You’ll also have to charge more often if you use throttle control instead of pedal assist.
Your battery will slowly discharge, even when it’s not used. This is called self-discharging. Self-discharging is caused by chemical reactions occurring inside the battery that reduce the stored charge.
If you allow your battery to self-discharge excessively, the total capacity will decrease. Self-discharging causes irreparable damage to your battery. You need to use and re-charge your battery regularly to achieve the maximum lifespan out of your battery.
When your electric bike battery is in storage, it’s a good idea to check the charge every month or so. If the charge falls too low, put the battery on the charger.
Electric Bike Range
Your e-bike’s range is the distance you can travel before your battery is empty. In other words, range is the distance you can ride on a full charge.
The battery will last longer in an e-bike with a longer range because you won’t need to charge it as often. You’ll use up charge cycles more slowly.
A number of factors determine range including the size of the battery, the weight of the bike and rider, the conditions you’re riding in, and your riding habits.
The best way to estimate your bike’s range is through the size of the battery. On average, an electric bike uses 10-20 watt-hours (Wh) of energy per mile. If you have a 500Wh battery and your e-bike uses 20Wh per mile, you can travel 25 miles on a full charge.
Watt hours are calculated by multiplying your battery’s voltage (V) by its Amp hours (Ah). For example, an ebike battery with 48V and 20Ah will have 960Wh (48V x 20Ah = 960Wh).
The larger your battery capacity, the more range you’ll get. A larger-capacity battery can last longer than a smaller-capacity battery. Both batteries are capable of the same number of charge cycles. The larger battery won’t need to be charged as often so it will last longer.
The weight of the bike and rider also affects your range. A heavier load requires more energy to move around. The riding conditions also affect range. You’ll get less range when climbing steep hills than when riding flat surfaces. Your riding habits also affect range. If you constantly accelerate hard, you’ll get less range than if you ride smoothly.
Different Types of Electric Bike Batteries
The lifespan of your battery also depends on the type of battery you use. There are a number of different types of batteries used on e-bikes. Three of the most common include lithium, nickel, and lead-acid. In the following sections, I’ll outline each.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are the most common type of rechargeable battery used in electric bikes. These batteries have a higher energy density than other forms of rechargeable batteries. They are also known for their light weight and low self-discharge rate.
Lithium batteries also have a longer lifespan than most other types of batteries. A quality lithium-ion battery can last for up to 1000 charge cycles. Lithium-ion batteries also recharge quickly. They also have an impressive range. Depending on the size of battery you choose, you can expect between 20 and 50 miles per charge.
Other types of lithium batteries also exist. Lithium polymer (or LiPo) batteries are becoming increasingly popular due to their lightweight and durability. Lithium polymer batteries also offer excellent energy density and performance. Other options include lithium-manganese and lithium-cobalt. A number of other lithium battery chemistries are also available. New chemistries are also in development.
The amount of charge the lithium-ion battery can store is dependent on its size, design, chemistry, temperature, and age.
Nickel Batteries
Nickle-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are another great option for powering electric bikes. These cells provide a safe and efficient source of energy. They also offer around the same energy density as lithium batteries. Nickel batteries are cheaper than lithium because they have a simpler design.
There are a number of drawbacks to consider. The main drawback of nickel batteries is that they are slow to recharge. It might take 10-12 hours to fully charge your nickel battery. These batteries also do not perform well in extremely cold or hot conditions. Nickel batteries also self-discharge faster than lithium batteries. In addition, they don’t last as long. On average, a nickel battery can survive about 500 charge cycles before it degrades to a point where it is no longer usable.
Lead Acid Batteries
Lead-acid batteries are an affordable option for powering electric bikes. Their biggest advantage is their low cost compared to other types of batteries. This makes them ideal for those on a tight budget looking for an economical way to power their electric bikes.
Lead acid batteries are not as efficient as lithium batteries. They are much heavier due to their lower energy density and chemical composition. A lead acid battery has about 1/10 of the energy density of a lithium-ion battery. These batteries need to be much larger to hold enough power to be useful. They are also far less powerful than lithium batteries.
The heavy weight of lead acid batteries often makes them unsuitable for longer rides. Lead acid batteries also don’t last nearly as long as lithium or nickel batteries. Most can only withstand around 300 charge cycles before they need to be replaced.
Lead-acid batteries come in two main varieties: wet cell and gel type. For e-bikes, gel type batteries are better because they can withstand harsher temperatures and vibrations. They are also less prone to leakage than wet cells.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace An Ebike Battery?
Electric bike batteries are expensive. In fact, the battery is often the most expensive individual component of your e-bike. On many e-bikes, the battery accounts for around 1/3 of the value of the bike.
On average, a quality lithium-ion ebike battery costs around 500-900 to replace. To compare, a lead-acid ebike battery replacement only costs 100-200.
The cost of replacing an electric bike battery depends on several factors including the type of battery you choose, the brand of the cells, and the battery capacity. Lead-acid batteries are the cheapest option while lithium cells are usually more expensive. Nickel batteries are somewhere in between.
Batteries containing premium cells from Samsung, Panasonic, or LG are more expensive than batteries that contain cells from other brands. Larger batteries are more expensive than smaller batteries because they require more cells.
Typical E-Bike Battery Life (Tips To Make It Last Longer)
Every e-bike rider wants to make their e-bike battery last as long as possible. They’re expensive and therefore not easily replaced. So it helps to know the typical e-bike battery life and how to make it last as long as possible.
On average, a typical e-bike battery life is around 4-5 years. On the shorter side, it is about 2 years, and on the longer side, it is up to 8 years, provided you have a good quality battery, use it properly, and ride it moderately.
Read on to find out more about how long your electric bike battery should last and battery warranties. Plus, learn the top tips to make your e-bike battery last longer.
What Are the Types of Electric Bike Batteries?
There are really only two different types of rechargeable batteries suitable for today’s e-bikes. These include lead-acid (PbA) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.
Although some electric bicycles still use lead batteries, lithium-ion batteries are the most widely used for newer model e-bikes. Lithium batteries, in general, hold up to 1000 complete charge cycles.
How Many Miles Do Electric Batteries Offer In Their Entire Life?
A lithium battery typically offers over 1000 charging cycles before you need to replace them. Let’s suppose you are getting a 40-mile range from one full battery charge.
Calculating further, you can expect 40 (miles) X 1000 (cycles) = 40,000 miles of total range in the entire life of your battery.
Of course, these figures are just rough estimations to give you an idea of how far you can go on one battery over time, without refurbishing it or replacing it.
Some e-bikes can even run up to about 80 miles on a single charge. So if we calculate based on that long range, a typical e-bike battery should last about 80 X 1000 = 80,000 miles.
Different size ebike batteries will have different ranges and lengths of battery life.
Do E-Bike Batteries Wear Out Even If We Don’t Use Them?
Yes, e-bike batteries can wear out even if they’re not being used. It happens because of the phenomenon known as self-discharging, in which internal chemical reactions decrease the stored battery charge without any connection between electrodes or external circuits.
Batteries generate electricity because of the chemical reaction happening inside the cell. They then store the chemical energy and convert it into electrical energy.
However, it’s essential to note that a lithium-ion battery can gradually and eventually discharge even if you don’t use it. Further, if you store an electric bike battery for a long time, irreparable harm can occur because of internal chemical reactions.
Do E-Bike Batteries Have Warranties?
E-bike batteries typically have warranties, but they vary from brand to brand. The warranty period is usually based on a set time frame or amount of charge cycles the battery goes through.
Generally speaking, with batteries, you are offered the shortest warranty period. However, you may be able to purchase an extended warranty.
Please note that this can vary based on the battery brand and quality, so check with battery-specific brand guidelines.
Here are some examples of battery warranty periods from different e-bike brands to give you an idea of what to expect:
Be sure to properly check the exact wording of warranty policies provided by e-bike manufacturers. That way, you will know what to expect and can add battery replacement or repair to your electric bike maintenance cost.
You can research this aspect on the official website of the brand of each e-bike battery.
How Do I Know When To Replace My E-Bike Battery?
The best way to know when you should replace your e-bike battery is when it doesn’t offer you enough range.
With some high-quality batteries (like Bosch), there is an integrated Battery Management System (BMS) through which you can know the current battery capacity and how many charge cycles the battery has gone through.
But even if you have an inexpensive battery, you’ll experience your battery dying sooner than expected. Pay close attention to this to avoid any sudden surprises.
How Do I Make My E-Bike Battery Last Longer?
You can make your electric bike battery last longer by taking good care of it and following these battery care tips.
#1. Avoid Overcharging Your Battery
Overcharging can shorten an e-bike battery’s lifespan, as well as make it overheat, especially for older or cheaper batteries. In these cases, avoid leaving it plugged into a wall outlet longer than necessary.
Luckily, however, most modern e-bike batteries are equipped with Smart functionality, which enables them to stop charging once the total charging capacity is achieved.
That said, energy in a battery slowly discharges on its own even when you don’t use it. And when you leave it on the battery charger, it can resume charging once again when the stored energy level decreases below a certain point.
Long story short, keeping the battery connected to the charger even after 100% is achieved won’t help keep it charged. The natural on-off cycle will ultimately lower the overall battery energy capacity when it doesn’t need further charging.
Find Out: Can You Charge An E-Bike Battery Overnight?
#4. Use The Boost Mode In Your E-Bike Minimally
Many e-bikes come with a boost mode, or throttle, that helps in accelerating to the max speed of your motor in just a few seconds.
Even though the boost mode is a great feature to use every once in a while, it discharges the e-bike battery quickly and minimizes its lifespan. So try to use it less often if your goal is to maximize the battery life!
#5. Avoid Fully Discharging Your Battery
For better battery health, you should avoid fully discharging your battery frequently.
It’s okay if the battery is fully discharged once in a while. But be mindful that it is harmful to discharge your lithium-ion e-bike battery to 0% on a regular basis or when leaving it in storage.
Instead, you should perform shallow recharges and discharges. This means it is better to charge your battery after every few rides to avoid full discharge. The shallow charges and discharges don’t put much stress on the battery and thus make it last longer.