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A powerful e-bike battery provides power and riding fun

Von Fabian Huber  |  7 minutes read time

Ein leistungsstarker E-Bike Akku sorgt für Power und Fahrspaß
About the author Fabian Huber

Fabian founded MYVELO together with Vincent. The two share a long-standing passion for cycling. Together they have cycled thousands of kilometers and fought for victories in the German racing bike league. The idea of founding MYVELO arose from their many years of experience and knowledge of what makes a good bike. Find out more about MYVELO now

Published: February 9, 2023  |  Updated: May 17, 2023

An e-bike battery is an important part of every e-bike. It determines the range of the bike, provides energy and the necessary performance on exciting bike tours. A good e-bike battery will support you on challenging bike tours and be a helpful addition to your everyday life.

Would you like to learn more about the care and lifespan of a battery? Then you've come to the right place. We'll explain why a lithium-ion battery is the best choice for an e-bike , how to care for a battery properly and what to consider when repairing it.

 

The different types at a glance

  • Lead : Lead batteries have the lowest energy density of all models and are therefore rarely used.
  • Nickel-cadmium : Cadmium batteries have been banned in Germany since 2009. The raw material cadmium may only be used in rare cases due to its environmental impact.
  • Nickel-metal hybrid : The nickel-metal hybrid battery is a good choice because it has a longer lifespan than a nickel-cadmium battery. Other advantages of these batteries are that they are more environmentally friendly and have a higher capacity.
  • Lithium-ion batteries : Lithium-ion batteries are most commonly used for e-bikes because they offer many advantages. The high energy density gives them a particularly high capacity and longer range. This type of battery can go through up to 1000 charging cycles before the capacity drops. Due to its low weight and low self-discharge, the battery is ideal for e-bikes.

Since the many advantages of the lithium-ion battery outweigh the disadvantages, we at myv é lo only use these batteries.

 

A look into the future

The e-bike battery has been constantly evolving and has made great progress in recent years. In the coming years, lithium polymer batteries will be increasingly used. They have a very high energy density and are therefore even more suitable. The advanced materials will make the batteries even more powerful , more modern and ensure a better range in the future.

Tips and tricks for caring for your e-bike battery

If you want to enjoy your battery for a long time, it is important to take care of it properly. Especially in winter, when frost and cold are a thing of the past, proper maintenance is crucial for performance. This is the only way to ensure that it provides powerful support for many years.

The lifespan of an e-bike battery

You can always find the battery life in the operating instructions. For many models, this is around 1000 charging cycles. Important: The operating instructions only take full charging cycles into account.

A lithium-ion battery has the practical advantage that the battery does not have to be completely discharged in order to be fully recharged. It does not harm the life of the battery if you connect a half-full battery to the charging station. This is beneficial for long tours. If you take a break halfway through and want to charge your battery a little, this is no problem with these models.

Another factor that affects the lifespan of the battery is cleaning. Did your last bike ride in the countryside make your battery dirty? Then don't clean it directly with a water jet. E-bikes are often sprayed down with a garden hose. That's perfectly fine, but the battery should be removed first. The water can quickly damage the battery. A better alternative is to clean it lightly with a cloth.

Note the charging times of the e-bike battery

The charging time of an e-bike battery varies between 1 and 16 hours depending on the model and manufacturer. The charging times also depend on the capacity of the battery. A battery with a high capacity takes a little longer to charge. It offers you the advantage that a long bike ride without recharging is possible without any problems.

 

What temperatures can the battery tolerate?

All batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Heat and cold can reduce the lifespan of the battery. You can support the battery so that it lasts longer.

In winter, for example, make sure that the battery is not left on the e-bike. If you have to leave your bike outside, you should take the battery into the warm interior.

The same applies in summer. If your bike is standing unprotected in the sun, it is better to take the battery into a cooler room.

Tip: Additional protective covers with a thermal coating ensure that the battery is protected from heat and cold even while driving. Nothing stands in the way of a long battery life.

 

The most important tips summarized

  • Fully charge your battery the first time you use it.
  • Once the battery is charged, it should be removed from the charger.
  • Try not to discharge the battery completely. If the battery is only charged when the range is 0 km, this can have a negative impact on its lifespan.
  • If you do not use the battery for a long period of time, discharge the battery to approximately 50% and store it in a cool, dry place.
  • Extreme temperatures and humidity damage the battery and should be avoided.
  • Regular cleaning protects against wear and tear and removes excess dirt and dust.

If you follow these tips and take care of your battery regularly, it will have a long lifespan and will provide you with active support on your bike tours.

E-bike battery repair – this is what matters

The most important information first: Never open a battery yourself. To ensure that a battery is light and compact, every bit of space inside is used. If you open the battery without prior knowledge, you can easily end up breaking small parts.

If you get the impression that the range and performance of the battery is decreasing, a specialist dealer is the best solution . They can help you specifically and assess the condition of the battery. If you have had an accident, you should also go straight to the repair shop. The separating layer can come loose , which means a higher risk of fire.

If your battery is no longer working properly, it can quickly become frustrating. But there are a few steps you can take yourself so that you don't have to replace your battery immediately:

 

Identify the problem

Your battery is no longer charging properly or a charge suddenly takes a little longer than usual ? You should first check the charger and see if it is connected correctly. A new charger can often solve the problem . Also consider the age of your battery. The older the battery gets, the more it loses power. This is not a big deal, but it does mean that you should plan on waiting a little longer for a charge.

Check the temperatures

If your e-bike battery is no longer working properly, another reason could be the temperature. Overheating the battery reduces its lifespan. To avoid this problem, make sure that the battery is not exposed to direct sunlight too often or for long periods of time. Storing it in a room that is too hot is also not ideal for the battery. If you feel that the battery is getting too hot during a bike ride, take a short break in the shade.

If you check these steps regularly and take care of your battery accordingly, it will last you a long time. If a repair is necessary, a specialist shop is the right place to go. You should never unscrew and repair a battery yourself without prior knowledge.

 

The most important information summarized

If you want a high-quality e-bike battery, a lithium-ion battery is a reliable choice. Thanks to the high energy density, these batteries can go through up to 1000 charging cycles. To ensure that the lifespan of the battery is not reduced, the following points are crucial:

  • The battery does not have to be completely discharged before you recharge it
  • regular cleaning
  • Do not clean with a strong jet of water
  • Avoid direct sunlight
  • Repairs should not be carried out by yourself

With the tips from our article, it will be easy for you to take care of your battery properly. This way, you can enjoy the practical support for a long time and nothing will stand in the way of an extended bike tour through beautiful landscapes.

 

FAQ about e-bike batteries

How long does an e-bike battery last?

The battery's lifespan is stated in the operating instructions and is often 1000 full charges. Of course, the battery's lifespan also depends on other factors. Temperature plays an important role here. Extremes such as sub-zero temperatures or intense heat are detrimental to a battery. Ideal temperatures are between 10 and 20 degrees.

How powerful does an e-bike battery have to be?

In order for an e-bike battery to deliver good performance and a decent range, it should have at least 250 watt hours. The higher the battery capacity, the longer you can ride your e-bike without additional recharging.

When is a good time to charge the battery?

A battery does not have to be at 0 percent to be charged. To ensure that the battery lasts a long time, it is actually better not to wait until it is completely empty. If the battery has around 20 percent, it can be connected to the charger. Also important, the battery does not always need the full 100 percent. If it is only charged to 80-90 percent, this can extend its lifespan.

How many kilometers can you ride with an e-bike?

The range of an e-bike battery depends on various factors. The terrain, the capacity of the battery and the speed determine the final range of a charge. You can roughly expect a range of 100 km per charge.

When do you need to charge an e-bike battery?

To ensure the battery lasts as long as possible, the e-bike battery should not be completely discharged. The best time to charge it depends on the distance traveled.

How long does it take to charge an e-bike battery?

Charging a battery varies from model to model. Typically, the charging time is between 1 and 16 hours.

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