Influence of winter weather on the e-bike battery

During the winter months, temperatures can fall below freezing, especially at night. These are values ​​that modern lithium-ion polymer batteries, such as those now used for e-bikes , do not feel comfortable with. They are not directly damaged by this, but they do offer you less performance. You should expect a battery performance loss of 25 to 50 percent on cold winter days if you do not take suitable precautions. Lithium-ion polymer batteries were developed for a temperature range of 5 to 20 degrees Celsius. If the ambient air is significantly colder, the battery's performance drops. For you, this means that the range of your e-bike decreases and the charging process can take longer. That's why it's a good idea to have a spare battery with you on longer tours, especially during the winter months. Also research where charging options are available for your bike. This protects you from suddenly having to continue on a longer tour without the support of the motor. For longer rides with the e-bike in winter, thorough planning is a prerequisite for carefree riding pleasure.

Tips about e-bike batteries in winter

Ideally, you should ensure that the battery of your e-bike is not left outside for long periods of time in winter when you are not using the bike. After your morning commute, you can remove the battery from the bike and store it in the office for the duration of your working hours. This is where the temperatures are optimal for lithium-ion polymer batteries, so that the battery capacity is not negatively affected. Of course, this does not only apply to commutes, but also to all other occasions. If your e-bike is left unused for a long time, simply remove the battery and store it at temperatures of at least ten degrees. Special boxes for e-bike batteries are practical for practical storage and easy transport in winter. They are offered by e-bike manufacturers, among others. With some older models, it is sometimes not possible to remove the battery in a few simple steps. In this case, it can help not to leave the entire bike outside or in the cold garage. Perhaps you can find a place in the basement or hallway where your bike can stay during the winter months. The garage is generally not a suitable location, as temperatures there are often below ten degrees Celsius in winter.

Slow start and high support level

For smooth operation and long-term performance, it is also important that the battery of an e-bike heats up quickly when it is in use. The lithium-ion polymer batteries that are now common heat up automatically when you ride and thus protect themselves. This also applies to the motor built into the e-bike. Nevertheless, it is recommended to ride more slowly at the beginning of the ride and use the support of the battery straight away. This means that it warms up more quickly and delivers the usual performance.

In winter, the Eco mode is not useful because it slows down the heating of the motor and battery, thereby reducing the battery capacity. Instead, it is much better to ride the tour with a high level of support. If you take breaks in between, it is important to prevent the battery from cooling down. Special thermal covers can help with this. They are available for common e-bikes and can be attached around the e-bike battery with little effort. The well-insulated thermal layer protects the heat in the battery during your break. If you use the break to stop at a restaurant, you can simply take the bike's battery with you into the warm restaurant.

How to properly charge your e-bike battery in winter

When charging the battery for your e-bike, you should definitely follow the manufacturer's instructions. These usually specify a temperature range that should prevail in the environment when charging the battery. This is usually between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius.

It is therefore recommended that you only charge the bike's battery indoors. However, make sure that the battery warms up before charging if you have brought it in from outside. To do this, it should be stored in a warm place for at least an hour before you connect it to the power supply. If charging outdoors cannot be avoided, for example on a longer tour, ride briefly at a high support level to warm up the battery and ensure thermal protection during the charging process.

Influence of bike construction on performance in winter

When buying an e-bike, you can pay attention to certain aspects of the design so that you can enjoy unadulterated riding pleasure even during the winter months. Ideally, the battery is not attached freely to the e-bike, but rather built into the down tube, for example. This means that the e-bike battery is somewhat protected from the cold by the design. It is also worth looking for e-bikes with strong battery performance. You can find such models in our MYVELO range , for example. The higher the battery capacity, the more power you can expect during the cold winter. It is also worth looking at the type of battery when buying an e-bike.

In the early days of e-bikes, nickel-metal hydride batteries were used. Today, however, you should only find them in well-maintained, used bikes. Lithium-ion batteries are much more common and since 1999 manufacturers have increasingly been using even more powerful and long-lasting lithium-ion polymer batteries. The latter offer you the greatest comfort and the best performance.

Conclusion: How to protect your e-bike battery in winter

Freezing temperatures in winter don't mean that you have to miss out on the fun of riding your e-bike. But make sure that the battery is stored at room temperature when you are not using your bike. It is also important not to connect a cold battery to the charger to avoid damage. With careful tour planning and weather-appropriate behavior, an e-bike battery will ensure relaxed rides on your e-bike even in winter. Would you like to find out more about the influence of cold on e-bike batteries in winter? You can find more detailed information in this publication on Science Direct , in this detailed PDF or this article from nature .