If you are new to electric bikes or considering buying one, charging your e-bike is simple. But there are a few tips and tricks you can use to help you get the most out of your battery and maintain it effectively.
Whilst specific details will vary between manufacturers, all E-Bikes will have a similar method of charging. An E-bike battery can be external to the bike frame where it is removable. Alternatively, it may be fitted internally within the bike frame in the top tube or down tube and referred to as an ‘integrated battery’. An E-bike battery can be charged simply by connecting it to a regular mains power plug socket.
Do I need a special plug for charging my e-bike?
No, but your e-bike will be supplied with a charger cable with a battery plug on one end, and a regular plug that will fit into a mains plug socket attached to the other. You will need to use the charging cable specifically provided by the manufacturer for the bike and/or battery to ensure it is safe and compatible.
Once connected, most bikes have a green/red light or a display screen (or both!) to indicate charging.
How long will an E-bike battery take to charge?
Charging time will vary based on the size of the battery, but on average e-bike batteries will take 3-4 hours to fully charge.
Do E-Bikes recharge as you pedal?
Unlike Hybrid cars with regenerative batteries, most e-bikes do not charge as you pedal.
How much does it cost to charge my E-Bike battery?
As energy prices vary between suppliers, it’s easier to look at cost comparative to the average energy consumption of other appliances. For one full cycle on your tumble dryer*, you could fully charge your 500wh e-bike battery a whopping 5 times using the same amount of energy. That’s just under 200 miles out of your E-Bike in average conditions! Of course there are additional running costs to consider with an E-Bike such as maintenance, however it’s low running cost makes Electric Bikes a great cost-effective option for sustainable travel.
Storing your e-bike battery safely
Lithium Ion batteries will self-discharge over time. Meaning that their battery capacity will deplete, albeit at an extremely slow pace (some batteries claim to last you 1-2 laps around the world!). However, if you do not store your battery safely you can accelerate this process and therefore it’s always recommended to follow best practice and care for your e-bike battery.
How should I store my e-bike battery?
We recommend that your E-Bike battery is removed and stored separately to your E-Bike. Ideally, your battery should be stored at room temperature, especially during longer periods. For example, if you store your E-Bike in the garage over winter with limited use, we’d recommend keeping your E-Bike battery indoors. When temperatures are too low, this can cause the battery to deteriorate and damage the lithium ion cells.
 PAUL’S TIP Riding in Cold Weather Although storing in cold temperatures is not recommended, it’s still fine to ride your e-bike in colder weather. However, as there is more electrical resistance in colder weather, it is to be expected that your e-bike battery range and performance will temporarily decrease. |
Equally, it is recommended that batteries are not exposed to excessive heat for safety. As such you should store your battery in a dry location, out of direct sunlight.
When it comes to charge level, we recommend that you avoid running and storing your bike at empty battery level. For considerable lengths of time, we’d suggest storing your bike at a minimum of 30% charge.
Prolonging the lifespan of your battery
How to stop my e-bike battery from losing charge
Battery charge lifespan is dependent on how you ride and the level of assistance you choose. Ideal conditions would also be dependent on factors such as total weight (rider and bike), bicycle type, tyre type, terrain, weather and wind conditions. All E-Bikes will offer multiple levels of assistance when it comes to your power utilisation, here are the typical levels of assistance you will find.
If you select the Eco mode and put in most of the work yourself, only getting a little assistance on the steepest climbs, then you could get hundreds of miles from a single charge. But if you use the turbo-mode, or are riding into a stiff headwind with lots of climbs, then your range will be reduced.
As such, it’s difficult to be precise with range. The average full charge lifespan is between 60 and 90 km. Most e-bikes have a simple display that shows the battery life so you can adjust your route accordingly. You will become more familiar with how the levels of assistance feel for you the more you ride however here’s some riding tips we suggest to maximise your range:
- Maintain a good pace. The battery requires more energy from very slow pedalling, especially at high gears.
- Avoid Stop/Start. As with a car, frequent stops and starts are less economical than long distances at an almost constant speed.
- Maintain Tyre Pressure. The right tyre pressure can reduce rolling resistance. To maximise range, inflate tyres to their maximum permissible pressure.
When should I replace my e-bike battery?
As battery cells will deteriorate over time, it is inevitable that your E-Bike battery will eventually need replacing. Depending on the battery, this component should have a lifespan of between 10,000 and 30,000 miles until it will need replacing.
Disposing of your old battery is easy. E-Bike batteries can be taken back by dealers free of charge and sent for recycling. Depending on the recycling process for a specific region, over 80% of the precious raw materials can be recovered and recycled from an E-Bike battery.
Need advice? Speak to E-Bike experts at Pauls Cycles
Whether you’re considering an E-bike purchase or just need some advice on how to get the most out of your current E-Bike, contact our team of experts or visit our dedicated E-bike centre at our Norfolk store.
Read our complete E-Bike Buying Guide here.
*Source: https://www.comparethemarket.com/energy/content/which-appliances-use-the-most-energy/
