Why are electric bike batteries so expensive
Why are electric bike batteries so expensive
Learn about all the factors that affect price
Getting to work or just running a simple errand a few blocks away can be a real hassle, especially with traffic and pollution everywhere.
Transportation is one of the major contributors to air pollution. In fact, in 2013, more than half of the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxides (both harmful gases) present in the air came from the burning of fossil fuels in modern cars. With these worrisome environmental and transportation issues, producing a more viable, greener mode of transportation through the use of electricity has become a priority.
Electric vehicles are considered a game-changing development in transportation. Not only do they offer the same convenience as a modern car, but they also give you the confidence and freedom to drive as you please without worrying about the size of the carbon footprint you’ll be generating.
Electric vehicles get all or part of their electricity from renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind. Today, there are a wide variety of electric vehicles on the market, from electric buses, electric cars, to the most revolutionary electric bike, the electric bike.
There is no doubt that we all want to contribute to the environment while enjoying life. Switching to zero-emission vehicles like e-bikes that run on clean energy is one of the easiest ways to be more environmentally friendly. However, there are a few things to consider when using an e-bike.
Many people believe that buying and maintaining an e-bike is too expensive for one’s daily commute. Let’s be honest, e-bikes are usually a bit pricey. In addition to the price of the e-bike itself, there is an additional cost to maintain it.
Compared to regular bicycles, e-bikes include additional special components such as electric motors, batteries, and display and control systems. These three elements mainly determine the price of electric bicycles. And of the three, the battery tends to be the heaviest and most expensive part. Now you may be wondering why such a small rectangular box is so expensive? But don’t worry, as we’ll explain to you little by little why e-bike batteries are so expensive.
Battery
In 1800, Alessandro Volta invented the first real battery, which used stacked discs of copper and zinc, separated by a cloth soaked in brine. This arrangement, known as a voltaic stack, was the first to produce a stable, long-lasting electrical current.
Almost a hundred years later, in 1898, the first commercial dry cells were sold in the United States. Currently, many types of batteries are readily available in our market, such as nickel-cadmium batteries, lead-acid batteries, and the fastest growing battery system, lithium-ion batteries.
The origins of lithium-ion batteries can be traced back to the 1970s, when British chemist M. Stanley Whittingham proposed using lithium batteries to create an energy storage device. Experts have long been trying to perfect lithium batteries to make them more portable and longer-lasting.
Today, as mentioned earlier, Li-Ion is the fastest growing rechargeable battery system in the world because of its many applications, especially in the electronics industry. Lithium-ion batteries provide lightweight, high-energy power for many portable electronics and electric vehicles.
This type of rechargeable battery is used in smartphones, laptops, and tablets, and is the same battery used in most e-bikes today. However, although lithium-ion batteries look compact and powerful, they are quite expensive, which is why e-bikes are often a bit more expensive because of their batteries. There are many factors that affect the cost of a particular lithium-ion battery, and it’s important to understand each factor so that you can learn more about where the price comes from.
The Cost of Electric Bike Batteries
The battery is considered one of the most critical components of an e-bike, and without it, you won’t be able to get the most out of your e-bike. Frankly, e-bike batteries can cost you a lot of money.
Almost, if not all, e-bikes now use lithium-ion batteries. why not? They are lighter, more compact, and have a higher energy density than comparable batteries such as lead-acid batteries. Although a few e-bikes still use lead-acid batteries, it is not the preferred battery type because of its heavy weight and bulk, which can lead to poor e-bike experience and inefficiencies, so using lithium-ion batteries for e-bikes like e-bikes is The best option so far.
The maximum amount of energy that can be extracted from the battery. It is a measure of the amount of power a battery stores, usually expressed in watt-hours. Lithium is a highly reactive element, which means a lot of energy can be stored in its atomic bonds. This shows that lithium-ion batteries have high energy density, which means that this type of battery can store a lot of energy in a small amount of mass.
This is mainly the reason why lithium-ion batteries are perfect for our modern electronics needs, as it has a huge energy storage capacity and you don’t have to always be connected to a charging cable to enjoy the benefits of electronic devices. The same goes for e-bikes, where a typical e-bike lithium-ion battery can travel 40 miles on a single charge. That’s more than you need for your daily ride!
All types of batteries have their own lifespan, measured by the number of charge cycles or cycle counts they can go through before being fully discharged. For that matter, an e-bike battery can be recharged hundreds of times, depending on the type of battery used.
Now that we’ve been talking about lithium-ion batteries being the most common type of battery found in e-bikes, let’s dig a little deeper into their life expectancy. Aside from the 3-5 year lifespan that the manufacturer tells you, there are many factors that can affect the lifespan of a battery.
How long an e-bike battery lasts is also a matter of how you treat it. In addition to the quality of an e-bike battery, the way you treat it also plays an important role in its lifespan. So be sure to store it in a cool, dry place, don’t place it near heat sources, and don’t expose it to extreme temperatures. A typical lithium-ion e-bike battery can hold up to 1000 cycles. This equates to at least 3 years of use before the battery’s efficiency degrades.
Regular use of an e-bike often drains the battery and needs to be replaced soon. Quality and brand also play a big role in the price of an e-bike battery. Expensive doesn’t always mean good, nor does it mean it will last longer.
This is why choosing a reputable battery brand for your e-bike can be an important factor in battery cost and life expectancy, as not all expensive batteries are of the highest quality. Also make sure that the battery replacement you’re buying is compatible with your e-bike. To give you a choice, here are some of our high-quality electric bike batteries:
Featured Product: Revi Bikes 48V 13Ah Lithium Battery for Rebel EBikes
Featured Product: Rambo Bikes 21Ah Spare Electric Bike Battery
Take care of your e-bike battery
Taking good care of our things can extend their lifespan, which is not new to us. The same goes for e-bike batteries. The more you take care of it, the longer it can last. So, here are a few things to keep in mind when caring for your e-bike battery:
Store e-bike batteries in a cool, dry place
Cleaning with a damp cloth is enough
Let your e-bike battery cool before charging
Always use original adapters and chargers designed for your e-bike battery
Always try to charge it to 100%
Do not place batteries near heat sources
Do not expose it to extreme temperatures
Never completely drain the battery
Do not immerse it in water when cleaning
Generalize
Today, the most common type of battery used in e-bikes is the lithium-ion battery. While lithium-ion batteries are already lighter and more powerful than their predecessors, the development and innovation of lead-acid batteries isn’t necessarily going to stop.
Soon, more powerful but more affordable batteries will take over the market, which will make e-bikes lighter and more accessible to most people.
Choosing an electric vehicle as your primary means of transportation can go a long way in protecting the environment. But let’s be honest, helping to protect the environment has its own costs. Owning a cost-effective, reliable EV may be a little pricey, but it’s nothing compared to the benefits it offers.
If you are looking for a new way of commuting or want a healthier lifestyle, we are here to help you. Visit our website to learn more about electric bikes and electric scooter or please leave information to us.