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.
Weatherproofing Your Ebike: The Right Gear in Autumn and Winter
Of course, we also ride our ebikes in autumn and winter, no matter how bad the weather. After all, bikes with electric drives are just as well designed for riding in the rain, cold and dirt. We have some tips for you on how to make your ebike weather-proof and ready for the bad conditions.
Does rain damage my ebike?
No. The sensitive electronics of an ebike are also protected from rain and splash water. However, it goes without saying that you should never immerse the motor or battery in water. It is therefore vital to avoid puddles that are too deep.
If you also want to protect the battery and motor from moisture, you are well advised to use special neoprene covers. These also protect against the cold. They are primarily used for safe transport and storage. Covering motors with a neoprene cover while riding hardly seems advisable. In the case of batteries, however, this is very much an advantage.
A find on this topic on YouTube
Neoprene covers such as those made by Fahrer protect both motors and batteries from splash water and other environmental influences. They can be attached stably with Velcro fasteners and fit smoothly to the components.
Cold temperatures: what happens to my ebike battery?
The battery of an ebike consists of very sensitive components. The energy storage works most effectively in a temperature range of 20 degrees Celsius to 25 degrees Celsius. At temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius, performance can be impaired. The reason for this is the electrochemical processes inside the battery.
The possible loss of energy is related to the electrolyte, a viscous substance in the individual cells of the lithium-ion batteries. When it gets cold, it becomes more viscous, making it harder for the ions to penetrate it. This property is different for each battery, however, because the manufacturers use different materials.
If you are riding your ebike in low temperatures, you should simply put a neoprene cover on the battery. It provides effective thermal protection and keeps out most of the extreme cold.
If an ebike is stored in a cool place for a longer period of time, it is better to remove the battery. A dry room that has been warmed to room temperature is a much better place for it. The charge level should be between 30 and 60 percent. If necessary, check the charge level regularly and recharge the battery in between if it has too little energy. Practical: If you already have a neoprene cover for the battery, you can of course also store it in it.
The contacts for the battery compartment on the ebike also require attention: dirt and splash water can cause serious damage there. To prevent this from happening, manufacturers offer special caps that you can use instead of the battery. Fahrer also offers neoprene covers for this purpose.
What is an electric bike and how do they work?
Whether you’re ditching the car by cycling to work or want an easier ride to the top of trails, an electric bike can offer many of the benefits of a non-assisted bike, with motorised power on tap when you need it.
Electric bike technology has advanced at a pace in recent years and you can now find pretty much any type of bike with a motor. We have guides to the best electric road bikes, best electric gravel bikes and best electric mountain bikes.
If you don’t want to buy a whole new bike, the best electric bike conversion kits will transform your purely pedal-powered bike into an electric bike. In this general guide to electric bikes, we’ll explain exactly what an ebike is, how an electric bike works, how to ride an ebike and answer some of the key questions you may have before buying.
What is an electric bike?
An electric bike has a built-in motor and battery to assist your pedalling. Oliver Woodman / Immediate Media
An electric bike, or ebike, is a bicycle equipped with an electric bike motor to assist you when you’re pedalling. The motor will get its power from a rechargeable battery mounted on the bike. To classify as an ebike, the motor has to help you rather than propel you on its own. As a result, you need to pedal to get that assistance. How much power the motor delivers is regulated based on how hard you are pedalling and the level of support you have selected. Electric bike systems offer a number of modes to choose from, allowing you to balance the amount of power supplied through the pedals with range and battery life.
Electric bike assistance is restricted to 15.5mph in the UK, EU and Australia. Russell Burton / Our Media
Electric bike laws on how much help the motor can provide, and the speed at which assistance cuts out, vary around the world. But in general the motor is limited to 250 watts output and must cut out when your speed reaches 25kph/15.5mph, except in the USA where it can continue to work up to 20mph. You can go faster than that, of course, but only under your own effort – the bike’s motor will no longer provide assistance.
- must have a maximum power output of 250 watts
- should not be able to propel the bike when it’s travelling more than 15.5mph
How does an electric bike work?
An electric bike will typically have a motor housed either centrally on the bike (often referred to as a mid-drive motor, powered through the cranks) or on the front or rear hub.
Whereas a hub-based motor will push the wheel around directly, an axle-mounted motor will work through the ebike’s chain and gears.
When you pedal, a torque sensor will measure how much effort you are putting in and match that to the motor’s power output.
The idea is that the motor won’t completely take over; instead, you should get consistent power delivery that won’t send the bike lurching forward.
Therefore, one of many benefits of riding an electric bike is you still have to press on the pedals and get exercise. Riding an electric bike for fitness is eminently possible.
Power comes from the battery, which might be mounted on the outside of the frame or hidden within it.
Many batteries can be removed for charging, although others need to be charged on the bike. If that’s the case, you need to have somewhere to park the bike near a power socket.
There will be a controller for the motor, usually mounted on the handlebar or integrated within the frame, that lets you decide how much assistance you want, and to keep an eye on the battery level. Some will include a screen with navigation and other functions too.
Electric bike motors are held either in the middle of the bike, as shown here, or in one of the wheel hubs. Russell Burton / Our Media
Bosch, Shimano, Yamaha, Specialized, Mahle, FSA and Fazua all make popular ebike motors. Specifications can vary significantly and the type of motor found on a bike will depend on its price and the type of riding intended.
For example, an electric road bike is more likely to favour a lightweight system with smooth power delivery, whereas a motor on a high-spec electric mountain bike is likely to offer more torque for off-road capability.
How do you regulate motor power?
You can usually alter the level of assistance with a frame-mounted button, as pictured here, or a controller on the handlebar. Russell Burton / Our Media
An electric bike will usually have between three and five levels of assistance, selected via its controller.
These can give you anything from a gentle push to lots of power for tackling steep off-road climbs, depending on the specifications of the bike’s motor.
Some will also have a ‘boost’ button, which you can use to increase the power output for short bursts of additional power.
Many bikes also offer a walk-assist mode, to make it easier to push when you’re off the bike.
You can change between assistance levels as you ride and there’s usually the option to switch the motor off completely and ride under pedal power alone.
Many ebike motors are designed to be drag-free when switched off, but there is still the additional weight to overcome.
How much weight do the motor and battery add?
Electric bikes are heavier than non-assisted bikes and there’s a wide variation in the weight of ebike motors and batteries.
The lightest systems come in at less than 4kg and are typically found on electric road bikes, but most systems weigh around 6 to 8kg – and sometimes more.
The additional mounting points and frame reinforcement required on an electric bike can add some extra weight, too.
The weight of your system will depend partly on budget, but also the intended use of the bike.
Bikes that require lots of power, for example, an electric cargo bike or e-MTB, are more likely to have a heavier motor and battery package.
An electric road bike requires less assistance and will prioritise lighter weight.
The latest e-road bikes are near-indistinguishable from non-motorised bikes, thanks to the sleek, integrated design of the motor and battery.
The extra weight associated with electric bikes is worth bearing in mind if you need to lift or carry your machine anywhere.
If that’s the case, consider how much extra weight you can comfortably handle.
However, for day-to-day riding, the benefits of having a motor should trump any extra weight, particularly when it comes to climbing… unless you run out of battery.
How do you ride an electric bike?
Riding an electric bike is pretty much like riding a non-motorised bike of the same type.
You switch on the motor, select the assistance level you want using the controller, and then pedal. The motor will make initial acceleration much easier and then help you keep up to speed, particularly when you need to climb a hill.
However, because of the extra weight from the motor and battery, an electric bike may handle a bit more sluggishly than a non-assisted bike.
It may also have wider tyres to carry the extra weight and provide more grip, and it will usually have disc brakes because there’s more mass to slow down and stop.
What range will an electric bike have?
The motor type and battery capacity, plus your riding style and the terrain, all influence the range. Russell Burton / Immediate Media
Batteries on electric bikes can give you a range of anything from 20 to 100 miles or more on a full charge, depending on their capacity (measured in watt-hours and abbreviated to Wh). Batteries are expensive, so an ebike with a longer range will, in general, cost more.
You’ll usually get a battery-level indicator, while some control systems will give you an estimated range as you ride or regulate the power output to let you achieve your planned ride distance.
Some ebikes let you plug in a second battery, which might fit in a bottle cage, to up range. You can also lower the assistance level during a ride to help conserve the battery and extend the bike’s range.
While many brands will offer an estimated range for a particular model of bike, and it is possible to gauge a bike’s theoretical range based on its motor power and battery capacity, ultimately it depends on the level of assistance you’re using and the terrain.
Fully recharging the battery from the mains can take anything from around three hours up to nine hours, or more depending on the model, charger and battery capacity.
What types of electric bike are there?
We’ve got a separate guide to electric bike types, but you can find almost any kind of bike with a motor.
The most common types of electric bikes are hybrids and mountain bikes.
The best electric hybrid bikes have flat bars and chunky, puncture-resistant tyres, useful for biking to work, shopping and more leisurely rides.
They may also have mudguards (or the eyelets to add full-length mudguards), a rack and lights, and sometimes have a step-through frame design to make it easier to hop on and off the bike.
Electric mountain bikes normally have a beefy motor with a high torque output to help you get up loose off-road climbs and over obstacles. Once you get to the top, the motor can be turned off to enjoy the downhill ride.
There’s also a growing number of electric road bikes. With drop handlebars, they’re designed to ride fast and are usually relatively lightweight (as far as electric bikes go), to help with handling and hill climbing.
Electric gravel bikes are designed to be capable off-road and fast on tarmac. Russell Burton / Our Media
There’s an increasing number of electric gravel bikes, too. With wider tyres to enable you to ride off-road with confidence and drop handlebars for road speed, e-gravel bikes are designed to offer the versatility to really broaden your riding.
The best electric folding bikes will be designed for versatility and compact size. They can be folded up to take on public transport or for easier storage at home/work, so they could be the best bike for commuting for many people.
There are also electric cargo bikes, designed to carry loads for deliveries around town and other day-to-day tasks where they can replace a car or van.
Whichever electric bike you choose, we suggest you read our guides to electric bike insurance and electric bike maintenance to look after what’s likely to be a sizeable investment.
In short, if you want a helping hand on your ride, you can find an electric bike to suit your needs.
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Paul Norman
Paul has been writing about bike tech and reviewing all things cycling for almost a decade. He had a five-year stint at Cycling Weekly and has also written for titles including CyclingNews, Cyclist and BikePerfect, as well as being a regular contributor to BikeRadar. Tech-wise, he’s covered everything from rim width to the latest cycling computers. He reviewed some of the first electric bikes for Cycling Weekly and has covered their development into the sophisticated machines they are today, on the way becoming an expert on all things electric. Paul was into gravel before it was even invented, riding a cyclocross bike across the South Downs and along muddy paths through the Chilterns. He dabbled in cross-country mountain biking too. He’s most proud of having covered the length of the South Downs Way on a crosser and fulfilling his long-time ambition to climb Monte Grappa on a road bike
What’s driving the battery fires with e-bikes and scooters?
An electric bike parked near a Bronx supermarket that was destroyed in a fire that officials say was caused by a faulty lithium-ion scooter battery.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images
As firefighters battled a five-alarm fire at a supermarket in the Bronx earlier this month, New York City officials gathered beside what they said was the cause of the fire: the blackened shell of what was once a sit-on electric scooter.
Officials said that a faulty lithium-ion battery in the scooter had suddenly burst into flame, as captured on surveillance video. The resulting fire was so intense, they said, that it enveloped the building in a matter of minutes.
There is extraordinary damage. This entire building behind me is completely destroyed. The roof is caved in. There is nothing left. And it is all because of this one single bike, said Laura Kavanaugh, the city’s fire commissioner.
Last week’s blaze joined the more than 200 fires in New York City last year caused by batteries from e-bikes, electric scooters and similar devices. Lithium-ion battery explosions are now the third leading cause of fires in the city, the fire department says.
Per FDNY Fire Marshals, the cause of today’s 5-alarm fire at 2096 Grand Concourse in the Bronx was a lithium-ion battery which powered a scooter. piccom/HTifRojiJo
— FDNY (@FDNY) March 5, 2023
As the popularity of so-called micromobility devices has soared across the U.S., so too have risen the number of fires associated with the lithium-ion batteries that power them.
Some lawmakers and federal regulators have taken note. Late last year, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced it had received reports of more than 200 incidents since the start of 2021 in which micromobility devices caught fire or overheated — incidents that led to the deaths of 19 people.
Destructive and deadly fires from lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes have reached a crisis level. The tragic loss of life from battery fires is heartbreaking and preventable, said Commissioner Richard Trumka in December.
Read on for more about why these fires are happening and how to keep yourself safe:
Why are batteries in e-bikes and scooters vulnerable to catching fire?
Lithium-ion batteries power many rechargeable devices that are part of our modern lives: cell phones, laptops, vapes, cordless power tools and electric vehicles of all kinds, from cars to scooters to e-bikes to hoverboards.
They’re small, lightweight and powerful — but they’re also prone to overheating and catching fire, said Michael Pecht, a professor of engineering at the University of Maryland. Ever since lithium-ion batteries started to be prevalent in products, we’ve seen fires, he said.
Fires from exploding e-bike batteries multiply in NYC — sometimes fatally
At issue is the high density of the batteries, which is a double-edged sword, said Pecht, who also serves as director of the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering, a university research center that consults with companies on reliability and safety issues, including batteries.
They can provide a lot of power to our cell phones and to our computers for a relatively long period of time in a very small volume, he said. But because we have so much energy packed in that small volume, if there is a problem, then they’re very flammable.
Defects or contamination in the manufacturing process can eventually lead to short circuiting or other failures.
In 2006, Dell, Apple and other major laptop makers urged millions of customers to return laptop batteries after Sony discovered a flaw in their battery manufacturing process. Chevy, Hyundai and Chrysler have all been forced to issue recalls over battery fires in electric vehicles. The Federal Aviation Administration reported more than 60 incidents last year in which lithium-ion batteries — mostly battery packs, vapes or cell phones — overheated, began smoking or caught fire on airplanes.
Why do there seem to be more e-bike- and scooter-related fires now?
In short, there are more fires because there are so many more e-bikes and scooters these days.
Their small size and low cost relative to gas-powered vehicles have made micromobility devices an attractive transportation and recreation option for millions of Americans. That’s especially true for those living in urban areas where parking and traffic are challenges for drivers. Electric bikes and scooters have also been embraced by delivery drivers.
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The burst in popularity is so recent that there isn’t yet much solid data about how many e-bikes, scooters and other devices are sold each year.
But what information we do have shows that their numbers are growing rapidly. The Light Electric Vehicle Association, an industry group, estimates that about 880,000 e-bikes were imported to the U.S. in 2021. That’s about double the number imported in 2020, and three times the total from 2019.
devices means more fires, experts say, especially since the industry is relatively new and unregulated, and there are a lot of different companies and products on the market.
What’s being done about it?
There’s not currently much regulation of e-bikes and scooters.
Regulation could go in several directions. One would be to require devices be certified under the safety standards recommended by Underwriter Laboratories, a group that has produced safety certifications for electric products for over a century.
Earlier this month, the New York City Council passed a package of local bills that would require all e-bikes and other electric mobility devices sold, rented or leased in the city to be certified under the appropriate UL safety standards.
Half A Million ‘Hoverboards’ Recalled Over Risk Of Fire, Explosions
The legislation also bans the sale of uncertified or used batteries. Retailers found to be in violation of the laws can be fined up to 1,000 per violation.
At the national level, the Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a letter in December calling on more than 2,000 manufacturers, importers and retailers to voluntarily adhere to UL safety standards for e-bikes and other micromobility devices.
Following the guidelines significantly reduces the risk of injuries and deaths from micromobility device fires, wrote Robert Kaye, the agency’s director of compliance and field operations. Consumers face an unreasonable risk of fire and risk serious injury or death if their micromobility devices do not meet the level of safety provided by the relevant UL standards.
Additionally, the agency has vowed to pursue penalties against companies who fail to inform the CPSC of safety hazards.
Recommendations to keep yourself safe
The main recommendation that comes from both the CPSC and the FDNY is to be present while you’re charging your device, and to not charge it while you’re sleeping. Unplug the device once it is fully charged.
The CPSC also recommends that you only use the charger that came included with your device and to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper charging.
Fire officials add that you should charge your device away from flammable materials like furniture and pillows, and that you shouldn’t charge or store your device in a location that blocks your access to an exit.
When you’re buying an e-bike or other micromobility device, try to find what battery comes stocked with it, Pecht said. Does the maker of the device state where the battery is sourced from? Is the battery made by a reputable manufacturer? Experts also suggest that consumers look for batteries that have a UL certification.
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Be warned that some online sellers may falsely claim to have UL certification. Others may sell re-wrapped batteries, meaning counterfeit batteries produced to appear as though they’re made by reputable manufacturers.
If your battery starts to fail, it may be safest to buy a new one. Don’t repair anything yourself, and buy from a company where you know that they’re using brand-name batteries, Pecht said. It may work best to buy a new battery from the same company that produced your bike or scooter.
To dispose of an old battery, bring it to a battery recycling center or other e-waste facility. Don’t throw away lithium-ion batteries in conventional trash.