E-BIKE Battery Basics

How do e-bike batteries work, what options are available, and most importantly, how good is the range?

TYPES OF BATTERY

New innovations are being introduced all the time, but the main types of batteries for e-bikes are Lithium-Ion and Lithium-Polymer. Other options include lead/acid, Nickel-Cadmium (NiCd) and Nickel- Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries.

RANGE

In general terms, the more Watt hours (Wh) the battery provides the longer the range with one charge. Some batteries display Ah or Amp hours (how much energy the battery can store) and V or Voltage (how much power flows to the motor) instead of Watt hours, but you can calculate the Watt hours by multiplying the Amp hours by the Voltage.

WATER

Water and electricity are not a good mix, but e-bike batteries have been designed to be weatherproof, so getting them wet shouldn’t cause problems. You can also wash the bike as normal, but manufacturers advise against power-washing the bikes.

LIFE SPAN

All batteries have a life span. This varies depending on the battery type, quality and how it’s looked after, but as a general rule you could expect around three years’ service from a battery.

CHARGING

Most batteries can be recharged by simply by plugging them into a normal household power socket. They can either be removed from the bike for this or recharged in situ. Charging time varies, but most batteries will take four to six hours from flat to full capacity.

CHECKING THE BATTERY LEVEL

It’s useful to know how much charge the battery has before setting off, and most bikes have a battery level display either on the battery itself, in the power control unit or on the digital display.