Introduction: Electric Bike (Ebike) Range Calculator
One of the most common questions we get is how to calculate the geographic range of an electric bike. Basically,
- How far will my ebike go before it runs out of battery power?
- What is the range of my ebike?
- How far can I go per charge?
There are many factors that affect an electric bike’s range, including the type of bike you’re riding, as well as the battery capacity, terrain, and the level of pedaling effort you as the rider put in.
If you have a Bosch motor system, then you should probably use the Bosch ebike distance calculator. But for all other ebikes, our Range Calculator is the most sophisticated online today.
The truth is that most ebikes come with a Bafang motor system or its equivalent, since they are the largest ebike motor manufacturer in the world, and have an exceptional reputation. Our ebike range calculator has been designed based on the performance of the Bafang electric bike system.
For a more precise estimate of electric bike range, we have developed a detailed ebike range calculator which has 16 Separate Inputs and Over 100 Variants. Try it now, and start keeping track of your actual range to help us refine the system. If you want to learn all the details about how far electric bikes can go, and how to get the most range from your ebike battery, skip the calculator and continue reading the rest of this article.
Average speed for the duration of your ride, including regular pedaling and use of pedal assist and throttle.
Amount of pedal power you supply to reach the average speed. 0 = Throttle Only, 9 = Eco Mode.
- 0 Throttle Only
- 2 Turbo Mode
- 4 Sport Mode
- 6 Tour Mode
- 9 Eco Mode
Total weigh including bike, battery, rider, and any cargo you are carrying on the bike or in a trailer.
- 100 lbs
- 125 lbs
- 150 lbs
- 175 lbs
- 200 lbs
- 225 lbs
- 250 lbs
- 300 lbs
- 325 lbs
On average, how many times do you make one full rotation per minute when pedaling?
- 10 rpm
- 20 rpm
- 30 rpm
- 40 rpm
- 50 rpm
- 60 rpm
- 70 rpm
- 80 rpm
- 90 rpm
- 100 rpm
- 110 rpm
- 120 rpm
Where is the motor located on your electric bike?
NOMINAL MOTOR OUTPUT (Watts)
What is the nominal motor output rating of your ebike? For dual drives, enter the combined total wattage.
What is the voltage of your electric bike system?
BATTERY CAPACITY (Amp-Hours)
What is the capacity of your ebike battery, as measured in Amp-Hours (Ah)?
- 8.0 Ah
- 10.4 Ah
- 11.6 Ah
- 14.0 Ah
- 16.0 Ah
- 20.0 Ah
- 25.0 Ah
What style of electric bike are you riding?
Select the tire tread that most closely resembles that of the tires on your electric bike.
NUMBER OF MECHANICAL GEARS
Select the mechanical gear system on your ebike.
- SINGLE SPEED
- 3-SPEED
- 5-SPEED
- 7-SPEED
- 9-SPEED
- 10-SPEED
- 14-SPEED
- 15-SPEED
- 21-SPEED
- 27-SPEED
Select the mechanical gear system on your ebike.
Select the terrain that best describes the average terrain for your ride.
Select which best describes the suface conditions you will encounter most on your ride.
- SMOOTH ASPHALT
- UNIFORM GRAVEL
- ROUGH GRAVEL / ROCKY
- HEAVILY RUTTED
- SAND OR SNOW
Which best describes the weather conditions you will encounter during your ride?
How often stop completely, and start from a standing position? Level 1 = Rarely, Level 5 = Frequently
- NO STOPS
- A FEW STOPS
- SOME STOPS
- LOTS OF STOPS
- CITY TRAFFIC
Ebike Battery Myth Busting
First, a little electric bike battery myth busting is in order. Every ebike manufacturer should provide detailed specifications for the battery and every other component on the models they bring to market. Many will also provide estimated ranges, but rarely indicate how these range estimates were derived. That is why we built this calculator, so that you could get a fairly precise range based on your ebike specifications and riding conditions.
Estimated ranges provided by ebike brands aren’t based on rigorous testing
Next, let’s dismiss another obvious falsehood. All ebikes can be ridden like conventional bikes, simply by pedaling and using the standard gears. If the electric vehicle you’re looking at does not have operable pedals, it’s not an electric bike.
If you ride your ebike with the electronics turned off, there is no loss of battery charge. And if you ride your ebike without turning on electronics, there is no drag or resistance from the turned-off ebike motor.
There is no drag or resistance from the turned-off motor
That being said, ebikes do tend to be heavier than standard bikes, due to the added weight of the motor, battery and controller. But there are also lightweight ebikes that fold up and are highly portable.
The lithium-ion battery is the fuel tank for your ebike, not unlike the batteries that power your cell phone and laptop computer. In the olden days a few years ago, some legacy ebike brands would use sealed lead acid (SLA) batteries on their ebikes.
You can still find these types of batteries in cars and on mobility scooters. But with improvements in battery technology, the denser and more energy efficient lithium-ion battery has been adopted as the standard for all ebikes. These batteries will vary in their chemistry, as well as their operating voltage and capacity. Do not get a bike that does not have a lithium battery pack. Find out more about electric bike batteries at our Ebike Battery FAQ.
Like the lithium batteries powering your personal electronic devices, ebike batteries will not last forever. After about 1,000 charge cycles, you will notice that the battery is not holding a full charge. For the average rider, it takes about 2-4 years to charge and discharge an ebike battery 1,000 times. These timeframes could be greatly reduced if you expose your electric bike battery to extremes in heat or cold. So it’s best not to leave your battery in the trunk of a hot car, or in a garage that might reach freezing temperatures overnight.
When you finally need to get a new battery for your ebike, have no fear. Usually replacement or spare batteries are available from the original manufacturer, but even if they are not, there are reputable 3rd party battery companies that can provide a high-quality replacement. Our go-to favorite company for this is the Ebike Marketplace in Las Vegas.
Non-Electrical Factors that Affect Electric Bike Range
There are many variables that affect ebike range, including the bike design of bike, rider weight and riding style, terrain, weather, surface moisture, tire inflation.
Bike Design Maintenance. Electric bikes, like conventional bikes, come in many flavors. You have fat tire mountain ebikes, small folding ebikes, and laid back cruiser style ebikes. There are several key factors in bike design that affect range.
First, the weight of the bike is a major factor, but also the width of the tires. Fat tires, for example, have more surface area in contact with the ground, and more traction (friction) compared to a road bike with narrower tires. This adds resistance which can deplete energy reserves more quickly.
Second, it’s important to note that a poorly tuned or maintained ebike will have a shorter range than a properly maintained vehicle. Low tire inflation, poorly aligned gears and brakes, and high wind resistance due to a lack of aerodynamic design will all contribute to reducing the range of an ebike.
Payload. The weight of the passenger and any cargo will also have a dramatic effect on ebike range. All things being equal, a 225-pound rider with a fully-loaded trailer will place a much higher demand on the battery than a 125-pound teenager with a fanny pack. The distribution of the payload on the bike will also affect range, especially if a bike is unbalanced due to heavy loads placed on the rear rack.
Weather Terrain. Headwinds and wet roads each will reduce the potential range of an ebike. Likewise, how hilly your ride is, and if you go off-road on gravelly trails will impact how far you can travel on a single charge.
Electrical Factors that Affect Ebike Range
All electric bikes have 3 essential components that set them apart from conventional bikes. These are the motor, the controller and the battery. Each of these electrical components plays a critical role in the performance of an electrical bike, and if any of them are not working properly, it can adversely affect your ebike performance range.
If you struggle with the concept of electrons running through wires to power a motor, you’re not alone. Check out the Water Pipe Analogy graphic below.
We use watt-hours to measure the energy capacity of a battery pack, and this will help you figure out how long you can ride your ebike before fully discharging the battery. But before we get into watt-hours (symbolized Wh), let’s first review what a watt itself is.
A watt (W) is a unit of power, and power is the rate at which energy is produced or consumed. Think of watts as a measure of electrical flow. Does an electrical device need a big flow or a small flow to work? For example, a 100W light bulb uses energy at a higher rate than a 60W bulb; this means that the 100W light bulb needs a bigger “flow” to work. Likewise, the rate at which your solar energy system “flows” power into your home is measured in watts.
A watt-hour (Wh) is a unit of energy equivalent to one watt (1W) of power expended for one hour (1h) of time. A watt-hour is a way to measure the amount of work performed or generated. Household appliances and other electrical devices perform “work” and that requires energy in the form of electricity. Utilities typically charge you for electrical energy by the kilowatt-hour (kWh), which is equal to 1,000 watt-hours.
An ebike battery is measured by its voltage (V) and amp-hour (Ah) rating. To calculate the Wh of an ebike battery pack, we simply multiply its V and Ah to get the Wh.
- A battery rated at 36 V and 10.4 Ah will have a 417.6 Wh capacity (36 x 10.4 = 374.4), like on the Eunorau UHVO All-Terrain Ebike
- A battery rated at 48 V and 21 Ah will have a 1,008 Wh capacity (48 x 21 = 1,008), like on the Bakcou Mule.
To learn more about ebike batteries beyond simply their range potential, check out our Ebike Battery FAQ. And if you want another expert’s opinion about ebike range, check out Micah Toll at Electrek.
Can I Use a 36V Battery With a 48V Motor Ebike?
As technology advances, e-bike enthusiasts often wonder if they can mix and match components to create their ideal electric bike. One common question is whether a 36V battery can be used with a 48V motor e-bike.
No, using a 36V battery with a 48V motor e-bike is not recommended as it can lead to reduced performance, increased wear and tear, and ultimately failure. The battery and motor should have the same voltage rating to ensure optimal performance and avoid potential damage.
Can I Run a 48V Motor on a 36V Battery?
No, you cannot. A 48V motor requires a minimum of 48V to operate and will not run properly on a 36V battery.
The motor is designed to operate within a specific voltage range, and exceeding that range could result in overheating, increased wear and tear, and ultimately failure.
Using a battery with a lower voltage than required could result in reduced performance and efficiency. It is important to ensure that the motor and battery are compatible to avoid potential damage and ensure optimal performance.
Can I Use a 36 Volt Battery in a 48 Volt Ebike?
No, you cannot use a 36V battery in a 48V e-bike as the voltage difference will cause the bike to underperform. E-bikes are designed to operate within a specific voltage range, and exceeding that range could result in reduced performance, increased wear and tear, and ultimately failure.
Using a battery with a lower voltage than what is required could also result in reduced speed and range.
Can I Use a 36V Battery With a 48V Controller?
You can use a 36V battery with a 48V controller, but the controller will only be able to output 36V. This is because the voltage of the battery limits the controller. If you try to use a 48V battery with a 36V controller, the controller will not be able to properly control the motor and may damage the motor or controller.
Can a 36V Hub Motor Run 48V?
No, a 36V hub motor cannot run 48V. The reason for this is that the voltage of a hub motor is directly related to the speed at which it can rotate. A 36V hub motor can rotate at approximately 1,000 rpm, whereas a 48V hub motor can rotate at approximately 1,500 rpm.
This difference in speed is due to the fact that the 48V motor has double the voltage of the 36V motor.
V Ebike Battery
Ebike batteries come in a variety of voltages, with the most common being 36V and 48V. A 48V battery is ideal for Ebikes because it provides more power and torque than a 36V battery. This makes it perfect for climbing hills and accelerating quickly.
A 48V battery also has a higher amp hour rating, meaning that it will need to be charged more often than a 36V battery.
V Battery
48V batteries are becoming increasingly popular in a variety of applications, from electric bicycles to golf carts. There are several advantages to using a 48V battery over a lower voltage battery. First, 48V batteries can provide more power than lower-voltage batteries.
This is especially important in applications where high power is required, such as electric bicycles. Second, 48V batteries tend to be smaller and lighter than their lower-voltage counterparts. This makes them easier to transport and install.
Finally, 48V batteries typically have a longer lifespan than lower-voltage batteries. This is due to the fact that they can be discharged and recharged more times before needing to be replaced.
Effects of Using a Lower Voltage Battery With a Higher Voltage Motor
- Inefficiency: A motor designed for 48V will operate less efficiently when supplied with only 36V, which can lead to increased energy consumption and a reduced range.
- Overheating: The motor may draw more current from the battery in an attempt to compensate for the lower voltage, causing both the motor and battery to overheat. This can lead to premature wear and even damage to the components.
Conclusion
It is not advised to use a 36V battery with a 48V motor e-bike because doing so could result in decreased performance, more wear and tear, and eventually failure. E-bikes are intended to function within a specified voltage range, and going outside of that range may result in permanent damage.
To prevent any potential damage and guarantee optimal performance, it’s crucial to make sure the battery and motor have the same voltage rating. It is crucial to speak with a trained technician if you’re thinking about replacing the battery or motor in your e-bike to make sure everything will fit together and function properly.
Evan Wilson
Hi, this is Evan, a full time mechanic and a father of 3 little angels. Automotive is both my passion and profession. I started this blog to help people solve easy automotive issues that have DIY solutions. I hope you find this blog and my effort useful.
E-Bike Batteries: Volts, Amps, Watt Hours Explained
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What Are These Volts, Amps, and Watt-Hours? How Battery Specifications and Capacity Equate to Capability and Cost
Understanding e-bike batteries can be challenging, even for those of us in the know; the nitty-gritty details are figured out by electrical engineers with years of education and experience under their collective belts – and for good reason, it’s all chemistry and math over there!
You’ll encounter a host of terms when reading about e-bikes or looking at electric bike battery specifications: things like battery size, capacity, voltage, amp hours and watt hours. Some of these words are more-or-less interchangeable, others are related but distinct. All of them can be confusing, but they are also hugely important in understanding electric bikes and their capabilities – most notably when trying to interpret how far they can take you before needing to be recharged.
In this guide to e-bike batteries, the helpful writers at Electric Bike Report will help you to understand the meaning of common battery terms and their relation to the performance of the electric bikes they power.
E-Bike Batteries Explained
Batteries are one of the core elements of electric bikes. They are needed to supply power to the motor, which in turn provides assistance to the rider, and reduces the amount of human effort needed to move the bike.
E-bike batteries come in various sizes, and can be mounted to the frame in different ways. Some are fully internal, and are sealed inside the bike’s frame. As such, they are not removable, except by using special methods and tools available to professional technicians. Others are removable for easier charging and replacement, whether mounted completely externally (outside the frame), partially recessed (sunken into the frame to some degree), or completely recessed (sunken entirely and nearly invisible on the bike).
Regardless of their type, all e-bike batteries are actually battery packs, and are made up of groups of cells, similar to the standard AA or AAA batteries used in everyday applications. The number of cells and the method used to cluster them together determines how quickly they can provide power and how long they can continue to supply it.
In contrast to standard AA or AAA batteries, however, those used in e-bikes are most commonly rechargeable lithium-ion batteries similar to those used inside smartphones and in conjunction with cordless power tools. Lithium-ion batteries are efficient and can be recharged hundreds or even thousands of times if cared for properly. The Light Electric Vehicle Association, or LEVA, has a great article that they allowed us to re-publish regarding proper battery care and safety to ensure maximum life span.
Fully integrated batteries such as the one on the Velotric Nomad 1 can match the bike’s color and disappear into the frame.
Electric Bike Battery Terms and Definitions
Before we dive deeper into the details, let’s consider a couple of examples of e-bike battery specifications in relation to how they usually appear:
V = Volts and Ah = Amp-hours
V = Volts and Wh = Watt-hours
Both examples convey two basic measurements, albeit a little differently. In both examples, we see volts first; this measurement relates to the availability of the electrical energy the battery can deliver. Next, either amp-hours or watt-hours are shown; these represent a battery’s capacity, or the amount of power it can store.
Let’s define these words (and a few helpful additional terms) a bit more clearly:
Current: the flow of electricity, or transfer of electrons, through a circuit.
Circuit: a closed system of wires and electrical components through which current can travel.
Volts (V): the amount of electrical force or pressure the battery can produce; the speed of the battery’s output of current. This is also sometimes referred to as the electromotive force, and is more specifically the speed at which electrons move through the system.
Note that this is a nominal rating that is used for classification purposes. In reality, a battery’s voltage varies based on the amount of power being drawn from it at a given moment, as well as the battery’s present level of charge. As current is drawn from the battery, its voltage decreases. This can be seen in an e-bike battery voltage chart.
Voltage is determined by the number of battery cells arranged “in series”.
Amps or amperes (A): a measurement of the strength of the battery’s output, or current. specifically, the volume of electrons passing through the system. This is limited by the size of the wires making up the system. Larger wires allow more current, smaller wires allow less. Generally, systems with higher voltage should use smaller wires (that limit amperage) to prevent overheating.
Amps can also be thought of as the amount of energy being drawn from the battery by what it is powering, and can fluctuate from moment to moment. In the case of e-bike batteries and their motors, a greater number of amps are drawn as the motor works harder (i.e. going uphill or using only the throttle).
Amp-hours (Ah): a measurement of charge; the amount of energy that can be delivered through an electrical system over the course of an hour.
In the case of a 10 Ah battery, it can deliver 10 amps of power in one hour, or 1 amp of power for 10 hours, etc, depending on the needs of the component that is delivering power to.
Amp-hours are determined by the number of clusters of battery cells arranged “in parallel”.
Watts (W): a unit of power, determined by volts and amps; the amount of work that can be done by one amp of current delivered at 1 volt. The amount of work is determined by the rate at which the energy is used.
This measurement is generally applied only to an e-bike’s motor, but its battery must support the motor’s needs.
Watt-hours (Wh): another measurement of capacity. In this case, the amount of work that can be done, or the amount of power that is spent, over the course of an hour. This is a direct result of a battery’s voltage multiplied by its amp-hours.
As such, a 24V, 20 Ah battery and a 48V, 10 Ah battery might look different on paper, but they have about the same amount of energy. This makes watt-hours a more reliable indicator of capacity when comparing different batteries.
Controller: A device that limits the flow of electricity through a circuit, and prevents a battery from discharging its energy all at once. In terms of an electric bike, this is the “brain” that adjusts the pedal assist system, the amount of input the motor contributes, and the e-bike’s speed.
Description
TheLAShop eBike Kit fit for 26×4 inch Fat Bikes, with Front and Rear Hub options. 1500W 48V powerful brushless gearless hub motor makes your bicycle an electric power moped, accelerates the speed up to 34 mile/h, allow you to fully enjoy the pleasure of riding; Suitable for mountain bikes, road bikes and cruise bike.
- Option. Front Hub Motor Kit with tire excluded, fit for 5 1/8″ front dropout spacing 26″x4″ tire
- Option. Rear Hub Motor Kit with tire excluded, fit for 6 11/16″ rear dropout spacing 26″x4″ tire
- Brushless and gearless hub motor for efficient running and converting bicycle to be electric bike
- Dual mode controller works under Hall effect and non-Hall effect for extending bicycle life
- Pedal assist system for sensing your pedal cadence and allowing you to ride electric bike comfortably
- Brake levers for cutting off the power and braking for safety; CE certificated for quality assurance
- Aluminum alloy frame for durability and LCD operation panel for displaying battery power and speed
Specifications:
| Options | Front Hub | Rear Hub |
| Overall Size(Dia.xW) | 22 7/16″ x 3 1/4″ (57 x 8.3 cm) | |
| Suitable Tire Size(Dia.xW) | 26″ x 4.0″ (66 x 10.2 cm) | |
| Axle Length | 7 7/8″ (20 cm) | 9 7/16″ (24 cm) |
| Front Dropout Spacing | 5 1/8″ (13 cm) | |
| Rear Dropout Spacing | 6 11/16″ (17 cm) | |
| Spokes Length | 6 5/16″ (16 cm) | |
| Controller Size(LxWxH) | 8 1/4″ x 4 1/8″ x 1 15/16″ (21 x 10.5 x 5 cm) | |
| The Number of Spokes | 36 | |
| Controller Current Limit | 35A | |
| Controller Power | 1500 W | |
| Motor Power | 1500 W | |
| Motor Voltage | 48 V | |
| Suitable Battery Type and Parameters | 48v20AH, about 40KM of travel. | |
| Load Capacity | 331 Lbs (150 kg) | |
| Net Weight | 23.4 Lbs (10.6 kg) | 23.6 Lbs (10.7 kg) |
Package Includes:
- 1x 26″ Front Wheel Hub with Brushless Hub Motor
- 1x Battery Connection Cable
- 1x Electric Controller
- 2x Hand Brakes
- 2x Handle Grips
- 1x Thumb Throttle
- 1x Controller Bag
- 1x Set of Winding Pipe and Cable Ties
- 1x PAS Sensor
- 1x LCD Display
- 1x Spare Fuse
- 2x Terminal Boxes
- 1x Manual
- 1x 26″ Rear Wheel Hub with Brushless Hub Motor
- 1x Dual Mode Motor Controller
- 2x Brake Levers
- 2x Handle Grips
- 1x Twist Throttle
- 1x Controller Bag
- 1x Winding Pipe
- 10x Cable Ties
- 1x PAS Sensor
- 1x LCD Meter
- 2x Wire Connectors
- 1x Battery Connection Cable
- 1x Fuse
- 1x Spoke Key
- 1.Battery and charger are not included, please prepare them before using.
- 2.The electric wheel is only applicable to conventional bicycles, not for tricycles, tractors, etc.
- 3.Please go to automobile repair shops with standard business license for modification.
- 4.For safety reasons, it is not recommended to use in rainy days and please wear a helmet before riding this electric bicycle for protection.
Shipping Return
Free UPS standard shipping on all US orders (lower 48 States) Payment Cleared before 12pm PST will be shipped out in the same business day (Pre-Orders Excepted). Usually order delivery will take 2-5 business days for the lower 48 States.
Local Pickup is now available in our City of Industry location. A face mask is required upon entry. All orders will need to be placed online prior to pickup. If assistance is needed, please do not hesitate to contact us at (1-888-525-9222).
Additional Shipping Fees for Expedited Shipping and UPS Worldwide Expedited Service
At TheLAShop you will always enjoy a 30-day money back guarantee.
Unlock Perks
Turn your Points to Coupons. There are 5 levels of discounts you can claim based on your point balance.
- 200 points=5 off coupon;
- 350 points=15 off coupon;
- 650 points=35 off coupon;
- 950 points=65 off coupon;
- 1300 points=100 off coupon;