How long does electric bike battery last?
How long does electric bike battery last?
Many people buy electric bike battery, however determine to the battery life of an electric bike does not only depend on the number of cycles they can charge before they gradually run out. There are a lot of factors to consider in knowing the life span of electric bike battery.
Some of these factors may be ambient conditions, such as temperature fluctuations, battery aging, etc. In addition, you also need to consider the type of battery used.
What is the average battery life of an electric bicycle?
On average, a typical electric bicycle battery can exceed 800 full charge cycles. Depending on the type of battery used, it can sometimes reach a thousand charging cycles.
Now, we need to understand that charging the battery from 30% to 100% is not “a complete charging cycle.” We must remember that if the battery level is 0%-100%, we can only consider it as “a charging cycle”.
Generally speaking, if we consider the type of battery used, the age of the battery and the charging frequency of the battery, we can say with certainty that the battery on an electric bicycle can be used for 3 to 5 years.
Naturally, we want our bicycle batteries to last longer. Therefore, if properly maintained, the battery life of an electric bicycle can be extended.
3 types of electric bicycle batteries
1. Lithium battery
It is the most reliable battery used on electric bicycles. More than 90% of electric bicycle batteries on the market are composed of lithium. Compared with other batteries, these batteries can generate more power, last longer and are lighter in weight. Because of this, it is also the most expensive of the three.
-Average charge cycle before replacement: up to 1000 charge cycles
Lithium ion (Li-ion)-most popular, longer life
Lithium ion sub-categories:
Lithium Cobalt (LCO)-higher energy density (provides optimal power) and lighter weight
Lithium Manganese (LiMg204)-Hybrid, the same type used in hybrid cars.
Lithium-ion polymer (Li-pol)-unique, this battery does not contain liquid components. It is not easily damaged by misuse.
2. Nickel battery
Compared with lithium-ion batteries, it has the same power. Unfortunately, nickel batteries self-discharge more easily than the other batteries on this list.
-Average charge cycle before replacement: about 500 charge cycles
Nickel cadmium (NiCd)-these days are rare, because they have become a toxic pollutant of the environment, these batteries are difficult to recycle. Larger capacity than lead-acid batteries.
Nickel metal hydride (NiMh)-is more efficient than nickel cadmium, but at a higher cost. These batteries are easier to recycle and have a longer lifespan.
3. Lead battery
This battery is the oldest among lithium batteries and nickel batteries. Although it is currently the cheapest on the market, it also has some disadvantages. Lead-acid batteries are heavy. It is five times heavier than a lithium-ion battery. In addition, compared with the other two, it has a shorter lifespan. If you want to use an electric bicycle on a regular basis, it is best to buy lead-acid batteries.
-Average charge cycle before the quality starts to decline: about 300 charge cycles
What happens when it reaches the maximum charge cycle?
The maximum charge cycle of a battery is the manufacturer’s theoretical estimate before the battery loses efficiency.
When the battery reaches the specified number of charge cycles, you will eventually start to notice performance degradation. Voltage fluctuations and insufficient power are obvious signs that the battery life is about to end.
In addition, if you find that if the battery cannot be kept charged for a long time, you will charge the bicycle battery more frequently, then yes, the battery needs to be replaced.
Although it is indeed possible to use an electric bicycle without a battery, it is not convenient for daily use. Electric bicycles are heavier than ordinary bicycles. In addition, it will never be a good choice for elderly people who need special assistance to ride an electric bike when the battery is dead.
Depending on how you use your bicycle, you can decide whether you need to replace the battery or whether you can leave it alone.
After all, you still need to replace it eventually.
How to extend the life of an electric bicycle battery
Use original charger
When you buy a new electric bike, it comes with a battery charger. Make sure to always use this particular charger with the provided adapter.
This is to ensure that there is no short circuit, and you can also protect the battery from overcharging. You must avoid buying cheap low-quality chargers, because this will damage your battery performance in the future. Using the original charge will help you keep the battery longer.
Do not overcharge the battery
Do not allow the electric bicycle battery to be connected to the charger outside of the charging time. When you do this, you may have a bad charging cycle, which is very detrimental to your battery health.
Overcharging may reduce battery life. Make sure to unplug at 100% or better, and set an alarm on your phone to remind you to unplug. Get in the habit of disconnecting the network and battery and charger after charging.
Charge the battery according to the instructions
It is important to follow the battery charging guidelines. A key point to remember is to let the battery rest for a while after charging.
We must remember that before inserting the battery into the bicycle, the battery should feel cold to the touch. If your battery seems to be overheating, and the situation is the same, please do not charge it yet. Wait for it to cool down.
Keep the battery dry
Electric bicycle batteries should be stored in a dry place. Do not spray to clean the battery. If the battery must be cleaned under any circumstances, just wipe it with a dry towel.
If there is stubborn dirt, you can use a damp cloth, but be sure to wipe it off with a dry towel immediately. If you want to clean the bicycle, it is best to remove the battery first. Keeping the battery dry ensures that you maintain its function and at the same time reduce corrosion.
Store the battery properly when not in use
If you plan to travel, or it may be winter, there is thick snow everywhere around you, and you will not be able to use your electric bike for a long time. For whatever reason, please make sure not to store empty batteries.
Instead, charge your battery to 40%-70% of its maximum capacity. In this way, we can avoid excessive self-discharge. In addition, do not place the battery near a heat source.
Battery cleaning
If your bicycle battery gets dirty during riding, please clean it with a dry towel. Remember, water and electricity cannot be combined well.
With this in mind, you should not use a steam pressure washer to clean batteries or electric bicycles.
You must keep everything dry, because water will accelerate battery corrosion. With careful cleaning, you will not intentionally shorten the battery life when trying to maintain the battery.
Don’t drain the battery completely
You should never let your e-bike battery drain to 0%. The best battery capacity is 20% – 100%. Any value below this value may cause poor battery life. Therefore, it is very important to develop the habit of better charging the battery when it is halfway used.
Common problem
1. How long can the battery of an electric bicycle last?
Taking into account the type of battery used, the age of the battery, and the frequency of battery charging, we can say with certainty that the battery on the electric bicycle can be used for 3 to 5 years. However, if properly maintained, battery life can be extended.
2. How often do you need to replace the electric bicycle battery?
This mainly depends on the type of battery used. Once the maximum charging cycle is reached, we can replace the e-bike battery. For lithium-ion batteries, the average charge cycle is 1000. For nickel and lead batteries, 500 and 300 charge cycles, respectively.
3. Can I ride an electric bike without a battery?
Yes, you can ride an electric bike without a battery. It will not cause any harm to the motor, but it is especially challenging for people because electric bicycles are technically heavier than ordinary bicycles.
It can be difficult to pedal on a sloping road. This is not good for the elderly who need pedal assistance.
4. What should I do if the battery of the electric bicycle is dead?
If the battery runs out when you are out riding a bicycle, you will not be able to use the motor.
This means that to reach your destination, you must use the pedals on the electric bike. Because the electronic system of an electric bicycle is not the only thing that adds weight, it also has a motor and a battery, so this can be tiring.
If you ride on flat terrain, it’s great, but if not, be prepared to use your extra power to get where you want to go.
In conclusion
When determining the service life of an electric bike battery, many factors need to be considered. It is not limited to the type of battery being used. On the contrary, age, number of charging cycles and environmental factors also need to be included in this calculation. We can also follow some steps to properly maintain the battery. It is expected to help us extend the battery life of electric bicycles.
It’s best to take the time to choose the type of battery we want the bike to be equipped with so that we can properly maintain it.
What type of e-bike do you have, or which would you prefer to buy? Let us know in the comments below.