Bosch eBike Smart System. New Bosch Battery!
The new Bosch eBike Smart System has been announced and they are changing the way we connect with our bikes. CEO of Bosch eBike Systems, Claus Fleischer, announced that the system update includes a new control unit, drive unit, battery, and even charger. What makes this system Smart is that they are all connected wirelessly via the Bosch eBike Flow app. Any adjustments, monitoring, and updates can all be done wirelessly through the eBike Flow app. Let’s dig into the new system, component by component, and see how Bosch really is making cycling smarter for 2021 and the future. The eBike Flow App will have 4 major features.
- Over-the-air updates
You will no longer need to connect your Bosch system to a PC using a microUSB cable for system updates. Your bike will always be up to date when connected to Wi-Fi, and you can push any system changes with just a few taps on the screen.
The eBike Flow App will allow you to keep track of your ride, but also keep track of health statistics, like calories burned. If desired, iPhone users can connect to Apple Health to keep track of your important health stats.
The home screen is exactly that, everything you would ever need during any normal ride on one screen. View your speed, distance, battery range, total distance for each power mode, and even when your next maintenance interval will be.
For the first time ever, you can now adjust the drive unit’s power assist between Eco, Tour, Sport (eMTB), and Turbo modes. Need to travel further under a single charge? Simply adjust the power output for either of the riding modes to achieve the distance you need on your ride.
Bosch Kiox 300
The eBike Smart System now has the ability to use a minimalist LED Remote, or it can be combined with a full color Kiox upgrade, the Kiox 300.
This new display will always remain up to date as it automatically updates when they are released by Bosch. With a larger screen than the original Kiox, the Kiox 300 is sleek, bright and water and dust resistant. The larger display will assist you with better route planning as it will offer visual guidance for a better ride experience. The holder will also allow you to position the display at any angle that fits your riding experience.
Bosch LED Remote
The LED Remote has the same arrow buttons as the current Kiox remote, but is more ergonomic and is color coordinated so you can see what riding mode you’re in at a quick glance. Green for Eco, blue for Tour, Purple for Sport (eMTB) and red for Turbo. It also has 5 battery LEDs so you know just how much power you have left in the “tank.” The Smart Walk Assist feature will allow you to choose just how much power you need while using Walk Assist.
Bosch Powertube 750
Claus Fleischer said it best, this is the new flagship rechargeable battery! The eBike Smart System is now equipped with a larger 750Wh battery pack, which offers 20% greater range than the 625Wh PowerPack. Although the 750Wh battery pack is not compatible with current PowerTube systems (400, 500, or 625) the enhanced battery management system (BMS) offers long service life, reliability, and protection of the internal cells. The Smart System PowerTube 750 is coupled with the new Smart System 4A Charger, which will charge your battery from 50% in just 2 hours, fully charged in 6 hours from 0%.
Bosch Performance Line CX
The new Performance Line CX Drive Unit is truly a Smart motor. It connects wirelessly to the eBike Flow App to make any adjustments for every riding mode on the fly. It offers 85Nm of torque to help you get up and over any obstacle or hill. This drive unit was designed specifically for the Smart System and can only be coupled with the PowerPack 750 and LED Remote and/or Kiox 300 display.
So what truly makes this system “Smart?” Bosch’s future goal is to tap into the IoT, or Internet of Things, so that you can fully immerse yourself in the cycling experience. This Smart System allows you to customize rides, update software wirelessly, and connect to applications you already use in daily life. This is the first step towards complete wireless connectivity for your bike’s systems, robust lock features for theft prevention, and social communications so that you can connect with riders before, during and after your ride. Starting 9/1/2021, we get an elegant, integrated, and reliable system that we can only expect from Bosch engineering.
Bosch POWERPACK
Limitless riding enjoyment: Whether you’re taking a jaunt through the countryside or cruising through the city – using the PowerPack or PowerTube means there’s no limit to riding enjoyment. There’s a suitable rechargeable battery for every requirement and every type of eBike; whether it’s the rack variant, frame battery or the integrated solution. Thanks to their enormous range, long service life, intelligent battery management system and easy handling, Bosch lithium-ion batteries are among the most modern on the market, so all those decades of Bosch experience pays off!
RANGE OPTIMIZED
PowerPacks are the fuel tanks of pedelecs. State-of-the-art lithium-ion technology makes them into efficient and longlasting suppliers of power. As an eBiker you can ride with them very conomically and thus maximize the range of a rechargeable battery charge.
TIRE PRESSURERolling resistance can be minimized by proper tire pressure. Tip: In order to maximize the range, inflate the tires to the maximum permissible tire pressure.
RECHARGEABLE BATTERY TEMPERATUREWith decreasing temperature, the efficiency of a rechargeable battery goes down, since the electrical resistance increases. In winter you can thus expect a reduction in the normal range.
CADENCE Cadences above 50 revolutions per minute optimize the efficiency of the drive unit. In contrast, very slow pedaling is very costly in terms of energy.
STARTING BREAKINGAs with a car, frequent starting and stopping is less economical than long distances at a nearly constant speed.
GEAR SHIFTINGCorrect shifting also makes eBiking more efficient. It is best to start off and take inclines in a low gear. You then switch to a higher gear in accordance with the terrain and speed.
CARE PROPER TREATMENT
The more conscientiously you treat the PowerPack, the further it will take you.
CHARGINGThe battery should be charged under dry conditions and at room temperature.
STORAGE DURING WINTERStore the batteries in a dry location at temperatures between 0 and 20 °C. Storage at room temperature is ideal. Being completely charged or completely discharged for storage is not advised for the batteries. The ideal charge status for lengthy periods of storage is approx. 30 to 60% or two to three LEDs on the battery indicator.
STORAGETemperatures below.10 °C and above 60 °C should be avoided.
TRANSPORTFor transport, the battery should always be taken off the eBike and safely transported in your car, for example.
CLEANING CARE Cleaning with a direct water jet is impermissible, in particular to protect the electronic components. Before cleaning, remove the battery. Occasionally clean and lightly grease the plug terminals.
WINTER USEDuring winter use (particularly below 0 °C) we recommend charging and storing the battery at room temperature before inserting the battery in the eBike immediately before riding it. For frequent travel in the cold, it is advisable to use thermal protective covers.
INSPECTIONUsing a diagnostic unit, the dealer can check the health status of the eBike, especially the battery, and tell you the number of charging cycles.
SERVICE LIFE
The service life of a PowerPack is influenced mainly by the type and duration of use. Like every lithium-ion battery, a PowerPack also ages over time, even if you do not use it.
POSITIVE FACTORS
- Low load
- Storage at a temperature between 0 and 20 °C
- Storage at approx. 30 to 60% charge statuscycles
- Parking the eBike in the shade or a cool location
NEGATIVE FACTORS
- Heavy-duty use
- Storage at over 30 °C ambient temperature
- Prolonged storage in a completely charged or completely discharged state
- Parking of the eBike in the blazing sun
CHARGING TIME
AS FAST AS YOU LIKE
The charging time depends on the capacity of the battery and the charger type. The graphics show how quickly the various batteries can be charged with a particular charger.
CHARGING ON THE BIKE
PowerPacks and PowerTubes are particularly easy to charge directly on the eBike itself. You just need to insert the charging plug on the charger into the charging socket in the battery mount and insert the power plug into the wall outlet. Done! The batteries should be charged at room temperature in a dry location where a smoke detector is installed.
CHARGING A REMOVED BATTERY
If the battery cannot be charged directly on the eBike, the PowerPack and PowerTube can also be easily removed.
CHARGING WHILE ON THE MOVE
The infrastructure of charging stations for eBike batteries is now well developed in many regions. Along popular bike routes, eBikers have access to an increasingly dense network of charging stations. In order to drive this development forwards, we now have a strong partner at our side with Bike Energy. This means that breaks from riding can be used as an opportunity to charge the eBike battery, free of charge.
How Long Do Bosch Electric Bike Batteries Last?
Battery-powered electric bikes have revolutionized inner-city travel by offering an alternative mode of travel that is less costly, more eco-friendly, and faster.
Bosch is one of the world’s leading giants and has contributed to fueling this global automobile revolution.
Electric bikes powered by Bosch battery packs usually have higher ranges, offer a smoother ride, and have relatively long lifespans.
How Long Do Bosch Electric Bike Batteries Last?
Bosch is a German company that has been part of the world of technology and engineering since 1884.
It started its battery designing and manufacturing segment in late 1922 and has since been one of the world’s leading and most well-recognized chemical battery producers.
Bosch chemical batteries are extremely popular in e-bikes and e-scooter for their unmatchable quality and longevity.
In general, a Bosch electric bike battery is expected to retain its quality and performance for over a decade, which usually accounts for 1500 to 2000 charging cycles.
To cater to the different kinds of electric bike preferences, Bosch designs and manufactures electric bike battery packs in various sizes, wattages, amperages, and capacities.
The higher a Bosch electric bike battery’s charge storing capacity, the more range and speed it will deliver. As a result, it will have a longer lifespan as it will not have to be charged as frequently.
Although the average lifespan of a Bosch electric bike battery is expected to be between 10 to 15 years, one can prolong or shorten it by how they ride their electric bike and treat the battery.
Continue reading to learn about what a Bosch electric bike battery is, how it works, and what makes Bosch better than most of its competitors.
over, the article will also bring attention to the top practices that can shorten a Bosch chemical battery’s life and highlight golden tips to care for one of these batteries.
What is a Bosch Electric Bike Battery?
Bosch electric batteries are chemical lithium-ion batteries designed to be low weight with an ergonomic design for easier handling.
Bosch has been designing lithium-ion batteries for many appliances and devices, and it started making electric bike batteries as soon as the industry gained popularity.
Today, Bosch is one of the biggest and highest-selling companies for electric bike and scooter batteries.
over, due to the lithium-ion composition, a Bosch electric bike battery can deliver high-quality performance and offer long-lasting durability.
As mentioned above, a Bosch electric bike battery comes with at least 1500 to 2000 charging cycles. This means that the Bosch battery can be fully depleted to 0% and fully recharged to 100% almost 1500 to 2000 times during its lifetime.
As a result, the Bosch electric bike battery can usually outlive the electric bike itself.
Although lithium-ion chemical batteries are notorious for being excessively sensitive to extreme internal and external changes, Bosch has successfully managed to counter this limitation through decades of battery-making expertise and intelligent engineering.
Furthermore, Bosch designs lithium-ion battery packs in various sizes and shapes.
Hence, different electric bike brands can outsource their batteries to Bosch and get the exact size and shape of the battery that will perfectly fit their electric bike’s unique frame.
Continue reading to understand how a Bosch battery works and what makes a Bosch electric bike battery better than all of its competitors.
How Does a Bosch Electric Bike Battery Work?
Bosch designs various electric bike batteries to meet the needs of different e-bike manufacturing companies and brands.
The most commonly found Bosch lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes usually have 300-Wh, 400-Wh, or 500-Wh sizes.
This battery range allows both heavy and lightweight electric bikes to cover greater distances while traveling at high speeds.
This is how the mechanism of a Bosch electric bike battery works:
- When a person purchases an electric bike with a Bosch lithium-ion battery pack, they must first charge the battery to 100%.
- This allows electric charge to flow through the 40 round cells of a Bosch battery and get stored as chemical energy.
- When the rider begins to pedal their electric bike, the built-in motion sensors detect the rider’s pedaling motion and pass on the signals to the electric motor.
- On receiving the signals, the electric motor automatically turns on and begins discharging the Bosch electric battery of its stored chemical energy.
- The chemical energy is then converted to kinetic energy, with traces of heat energy as a byproduct.
- The newly produced kinetic energy is finally transported to the electric bike’s tires via the built-in energy transmitters; thus, the e-bike picks up speed and gains momentum.
Most electric bikes with Bosch battery packs also come with a regenerative braking system, which allows the excess heat energy to be converted back to chemical energy for further use.
This way, the Bosch battery’s charging level goes up as the rider hits the brakes of their electric bike.
The table below demonstrates how much power each Bosch electric bike battery can offer, along with highlighting its average charging duration.
| Battery Qualities | Bosch Lithium-Ion battery Pack | ||
| 300 Wh | 400 Wh | 500 Wh | |
| Mounting Type | Luggage or frame rack | Luggage or frame rack | Luggage or frame rack |
| Charge Storing Capacity | 8.2 Ah | 11.0 Ah | 13.4 Ah |
| Voltage | 36 Volts | 36 Volts | 36 Volts |
| Power/Energy Content | 300 Wattage | 400 Wattage | 500 Wattage |
| Standard Charging Duration (0% to 100%) | 2.5 hours | 3.5 hours | 4 hours |
| Fast Charging Duration (0% to 100%) | 2.5 hours | 2.5 hours | 3 hours |
What Makes Bosch Better than Other Competing Brands?
Almost a Century of Battery Making Expertise and Experience
Buying an electric bike with a Bosch battery pack gives consumers great relief and satisfaction because of the significance and reputation the name Bosch holds.
A Bosch electric bike battery comes with a century of battery-making expertise and experience that not many brands can claim to offer.
The company has had ample time to correct all operational and technical flaws to produce an electric bike battery that delivers unmatchable levels of durability, resilience, and range.
Bosch Electric Bike Batteries Are Long Lasting and Highly Durable
One of the most outstanding qualities of a Bosch electric bike battery is its high durability and long lifespan.
In general, most electric bike batteries can maintain their quality and performance for 5 to 7 years.
On the contrary, a Bosch battery retains its charge storing capacity and performance for almost 10 to 15 years.
Due to this extensive lifespan, the battery can usually outlive the electric bike and a rider can reinstall the same battery into a new electric bike.
over, due to the battery’s resilience and low sensitivity, an electric bike owner is saved from having to incur expensive battery repair and replacement costs.
Bosch Electric Bike Batteries Are Found in Different Shapes and Sizes
Most electric bike manufacturing companies prefer getting their chemical batteries manufactured by Bosch as they can get a battery made precisely the way they want.
Electric bike manufacturers can choose a frame battery, a rack battery, an integrated battery, or a dual battery.
over, Bosch batteries come in unique shapes, such as cylindrical or triangular, to fit into all kinds of electric bike frames.
Bosch’s Intelligent Battery Management System (BMS)
One key quality that separates a Bosch electric bike battery from its competitors is the Battery Management System (BMS).
Unlike regular lithium-ion batteries that can sustain a lot of damage by poor charging practices, the BMS of a Bosch battery allows the battery to detect any potential systematic errors to protect the battery cells from overloading.
Hence, an occasional mishandling or improper charging incident will not significantly impact a Bosch electric bike battery’s quality or lifespan.
Bosch’s DualBattery Packs
To offer an electric bike owner an unparalleled range to make intercity traveling possible, Bosch has designed DualBattery packs that include two high-wattage batteries integrated to perform as one.
This battery pack doubles the electric bike’s charge storing capacity, increases the e-bike’s top and average speeds, and allows the rider to cover longer distances without worrying about finding a power source to recharge the battery.
over, the Bosch DualBattery packs can drastically decrease a rider’s range anxiety.
As a result, more people have started preferring electric bikes over gasoline-powered personal cars or public transport for their everyday commuting.
Bosch Batteries Come with Long Warranties
Lastly, all Bosch electric bike batteries come with a one-to-three-year warranty, allowing e-bike owners to get free battery repairs if unexpected damage or error arises.
What Causes a Bosch Electric Bike Battery’s Average Lifespan to Drop?
Although a Bosch electric bike battery is one the most reliable, durable, and resilient chemical batteries on the market, there still are some limitations.
Improper battery charging and frequent mishandling can affect the Bosch battery pack’s performance and can decrease the battery’s average lifespan.
Some of the ways a rider damages and reduces a Bosch electric bike battery’s expected lifespan are as follows:
- By frequently riding the electric bike on a low battery charging.
- When the Bosch battery is forced to perform on a low charge, it permanently loses some of its charge storing capacity.
- When a person frequently charges their electric bike using an outsourced battery charger, the inadequate amount of electric charge can fry some of the battery’s cells.
- As a result, its capacity, range, and lifespan are reduced.
- If an overweight rider chooses an electric bike too small to carry their weight efficiently, the battery is pushed to perform beyond its healthy limit.
- As a result, the continued stress on the electric bike’s battery causes its range and lifespan to drop.
- Riders who constantly choose to ride their electric bikes at high speeds and hit the throttle eventually end up damaging the battery’s cells.
- Frequently and deliberately pushing the electric bike to go over arduous and sloped surfaces will overheat the battery, causing its lifespan to drop.
- over, a sharp rock can also puncture the battery, causing it to leak some battery fluid.
- If this happens, the rider has no choice but to incur expensive battery repair or replacement costs.
- Allowing the battery to deplete to 0% before plugging into a charging source is a highly discouraged practice.
- This way, the Bosch battery’s charging cycles get used up, and the overall lifespan drops.
Continue reading to learn how a person can prevent such damages to enjoy the Bosch battery pack for a long time.
Final Thoughts
Whenever people talk about electric bike batteries, Bosch is often the first and only name.
This is because the company has spent over a century developing a name that reflects reliability, durability, consumer satisfaction, and unmatchable technical expertise.
over, Bosch electric bike batteries can retain their quality and performance for more than a decade, which usually allows them to outlive the life of an electric bike.
However, poor practices and frequent mishandling can damage the integrated cells of a Bosch e-bike battery, causing it to lose its capacity and lifespan.
Hence, whenever you get a new electric bike powered by a Bosch battery pack, always read the instructions first, so you know exactly what practices you need to avoid to protect the battery against permanent damage.
You may like the following electric bike articles:
My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.
How to Charge an E-Bike for Maximum Battery Life
From safe charging to the longest possible lifespan, here’s everything you need to know about your electric bike’s power source.
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If you bought a bike in the last couple years, chances are good it’s an e-bike. Electric bicycles are the fastest-growing type of bike in the U.S. today; in 2021 they surpassed road bikes as the third biggest category of bikes overall and in 2022 e-bike sales were over 800 million. E-bikes still outsell electric cars, and for good reason. The lightweight electric motor on an e-bike gives a powerful boost to all kinds of riding, especially utility cycling like commuting and errands. (Plus, there is a nice tax incentive for some e-bike riders.)
At the heart of that system is a powerful lithium-based battery. Taking proper care of that battery and knowing how to properly charge it is key to safely getting the best range and long-term battery life. Here’s what you need to know about charging your e-bike battery.
Safe charging basics
You should charge your battery inside, on the proper charger, and with the motor system powered off, says Kunal Kapoor, senior manager for quality and compliance at Bosch, a leading supplier of e-bike motor systems. While e-bike motors, batteries, and wiring are weather-resistant, “chargers aren’t intended for outdoor use,” he notes.
Using the proper charger is primarily a safety issue. With a modern lithium battery, Kapoor continues, when the battery signals it’s ready to accept a charge, “the battery monitoring system in the charger makes sure that the temperatures inside the battery are optimum to receive the charge,” and shuts off if needed. An off-brand charger—even rated to the same output—doesn’t have all the features of that battery management system, so current can flow to the battery even if temperatures rise, which is a fire risk.
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The risk of battery fires is low, but Kapoor recommends people not leave batteries unattended while charging. You can leave the battery on the bike to charge or take it off, as long as it’s not sitting on or near flammable stuff (like the spare gas can in the garage, for example). If you’re looking at lower-priced e-bikes with house-brand or unbranded motor and battery systems, make sure the battery and charger carry a UL 2849 certification stamp from Underwriters Laboratories. This is the industry-wide standard for safe electric systems and battery charging for e-bikes. Some bike shops won’t work on e-bikes with motor and battery systems that lack this stamp, citing fire risk when left overnight in the store.
How to optimize battery range and lifespan
Let’s start with some definitions. Range is essentially runtime: how long a battery will last on a single charge, expressed in miles of riding. Range, even on the same bike, will vary; a flat commute to the office with just a light backpack will see better range than a fully loaded uphill ride home from Costco. Most e-bikes today get between 25-75 miles of range, depending on these factors.
Lifespan is how many times a battery can be discharged and recharged before it starts to lose significant capacity. When capacity starts to dip, you won’t notice less power while riding, but you will see range start to shrink. A common lifespan benchmark for e-bike batteries is 500 “full” discharge/re-charge cycles (if you use half the battery capacity and recharge, that’s half a cycle), which works out to about three to five years of normal use before capacity begins to drop noticeably.
Even though battery range and lifespan aren’t the same thing, they are linked, and actions that reduce range will also, over time, shorten lifespan. A big culprit, Kapoor says, is running the motor hard, like leaving it in Boost or Turbo mode all the time, which means a ride of a given distance relies progressively more on motor power than at lower assist levels. You’ll run the battery through charging cycles more quickly, which will shorten its life.
A less-obvious factor that strains motors and batteries is pedal cadence. Most e-bike motors are optimized for efficiency around a 70-90 rpm pedaling cadence. You can lower efficiency by pedaling too fast (Bosch motors, for instance, max out at 100-120 rpm depending on the system). common is sub-optimal efficiency from pedaling too slowly in a large gear. This is the same as “lugging the engine” in a car; whether gas or electric, the motor works harder. “Choose your gears wisely,” says Kapoor, to stay in that 70-90 rpm sweet spot.
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Mistakes that kill your battery
When you buy a new e-bike, you should charge the battery to full before riding it because it’s likely been inactive for a while. But lithium batteries do not have “memory;” that is, they do not need to be fully discharged and fully recharged every time to hold their full capacity. In fact, it’s best if you don’t run a battery to zero, says Kapoor. “If you let the battery deplete completely, that may permanently damage it,” he says, and it will never recharge to its full original capacity.
If you’ll go a few weeks or more without riding the bike, store it (or at least the battery) in a dry, room-temperature space with the battery between 30-60 percent of full charge, says Kapoor. That’s the most stable level for long-term storage, and will lower the chance of a deep discharge that would damage your battery. Don’t leave your battery plugged in to the charger for long periods. It’s not necessary, and can create a short discharge/recharge cycle that will eventually reduce capacity. If you go long periods without riding the bike, check the battery charge monthly and partly recharge when it drops below 30 percent.
Lithium batteries are less affected by cold weather than other types of battery and you shouldn’t see reduced range while riding unless the temperatures are truly arctic. But researchers at the Department of Energy recently found storing lithium batteries below freezing for longer periods can damage part of the battery’s cathode, which will reduce its capacity. Lithium batteries also won’t charge effectively in cold temperatures. If you store your bike outside or in an unheated space and live in an area with sub-freezing temps, says Kapoor, bring the battery inside when not in use.
Also, keep your battery protected from extreme heat, like sitting next to a sunny window or a hot car. Excess heat can raise battery temperature enough to damage its components; in an extreme situation, it can contribute to what’s called thermal runaway, where a battery enters an unstable, uncontrollable self-heating state that can result in fire.
You don’t need to recharge after every ride. Topping off your battery sounds Smart, but over time it will reduce capacity more quickly. If you get 50 miles of range from a charge and ride 10 miles a day, you only need to recharge every three to four days.
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When it’s time to replace
Even if you take great care of a battery, over time it will lose capacity. You’ll notice this on your bike’s range estimate on the controller unit. Capacity is a primary indicator of the health of a battery, so if you notice your range dropping to 70 percent or less of what it was when your bike was new, that’s a sign to start planning a replacement. If your battery is less than two years old and is well under original capacity, it might be a warranty claim (terms vary by manufacturer).
If it’s not a warranty issue, the decision on when to replace is personal preference, says Kapoor. “If you got 50 miles (of range) out of the battery originally and let’s say now you get 40, I wouldn’t classify it as ‘end of life’ if you can live with that 40-mile range,” he says. A battery with reduced capacity should still be safe, Kapoor adds.
Always purchase a name-brand replacement for your battery. Just as batteries and chargers should be paired, batteries and motors are designed to work together. And, says Kapoor, never try to repair a damaged battery or let someone else do it. Despite guides that claim you can, this is not just corporate greed or legal butt-covering by manufacturers. While e-bike batteries are almost always made from standard 18650 cells that are widely used in various products (even electric cars), those cells have a variety of different chemistries, capacities, and amperages, and that’s before we even get into connecting a string of them and repackaging the battery in the housing. The slightest mistake in any of that increases fire risk. If you need a new battery, just buy one.
Dealers that sell your brand of bike can order you a direct replacement for that bike or motor brand. Costs vary depending on battery size and brand, but plan on spending 400-800 for a new unit.
A dealer can also recycle your old one. A new program from Call 2 Recycle offers free e-bike battery recycling (paid for by bike and motor brands) through partner shops in almost every major city and many smaller ones. No participating dealers near you? Request an easy DIY shipping kit online.
Why recycle? Even a spent battery contains raw materials that can be re-made into fresh ones, at moderately less energy cost and less environmental damage than producing from virgin materials. Spent lithium batteries also have a fire risk in landfills and can leach toxic metals and other chemicals into the soil and air.
In case of fire
Though rare, battery fires do happen. If your battery gets hot to the touch while charging, unplug the charger from the wall immediately. If you can, put the battery in a metal container like a bucket (better yet, one filled with sand) away from anything flammable.
But if it’s not safe to handle, call 911 right away and tell the dispatcher that you have a lithium battery fire, which requires different firefighting methods than conventional fires. Don’t pour water on a battery fire; water and lithium react to produce hydrogen, which is highly flammable. A standard fire extinguisher may help, but in the event of a fire, special tools may be needed.