Are you wondering how many years will last your electric bike battery? Is the battery degradation a real problem? Check how to care for the battery and avoid a rapid decrease in its efficiency.
How much does the electric bike withstand? Do you have to be afraid of battery degradation?
An electric bike is a great way to quickly, comfortable and ecological movement around the city. But as it usually happens, there are fears along with modern technology. Will the battery be still functional after two years? Do you have to worry about its quick degradation? Can something be done to make the bike last us longer? Let us divorce myths today, answering: how much is the new battery in an electric bike and how to make sure it serves us as long as possible.
How many years does the battery withstand in an electric bike?
A typical lithium-ion battery, used in most electrical bikes, has a service life of 3 to even 6 years. Manufacturers usually determine the battery life with the number of charging cycles, most often from 500 to 1000 cycles. By assuming charging on average every other day, you can count on a minimum of three years of solid work. In practice, if you care about your e-bike, battery life can exceed up to five years.
Is battery degradation a real problem?
There are no batteries that work forever. Degradation is a natural process for each lithium-ion battery. This does not mean, however, that the battery will suddenly stop working. After about 500 charging cycles, the battery usually retains 70% to 80% of the original capacity, which results in a shorter range. For most users, this will not be a big problem, but people making hundreds or thousands of kilometers in the year may notice the need for more frequent charging.
Factors accelerating battery degradation
The biggest battery enemy are extreme temperatures and incorrect charging. Storing the bicycle in the sun or in the cold drastically shortens the life of the power link. Completely unloading the battery is another mistake. The battery, which is regularly discharged, will have a much shorter service life than the one loaded in the recommended range of 20-80%.
How to take care of the battery to serve longer?
The basis is to avoid extreme temperatures and proper charging practice. Optimal battery storage conditions are room temperature. Regular use of the battery also has a positive effect on its condition-lithium-ion batteries “like” to be used. If you are planning a longer break in using an electric bike, store a battery charged to about 50%.
Is it profitable to replace the battery?
If you notice a clear decrease in battery performance, it will most likely be replaced. The new battery allows you to restore the original range of the bike, and the cost of such exchange is usually much lower than the purchase of a new e-bike. On the market you will also find battery regeneration services that are a slightly cheaper alternative and can still effectively extend your battery life.
How to check the condition of the battery in a bike?
You don’t have to be an electrician to find out what condition your bike battery is in. Many modern e-bikes have built-in diagnostic systems-for example, the manufacturer’s mobile application or display showing the state of charge and the cycles counter. You can also use the service that will perform a battery capacity test – it is especially useful if you buy a used bike. In this way you will avoid unpleasant surprise and expenses for a new battery just after purchase.
The memory effect in the bicycle battery
Lithium-ion batteries do not have a memory effect known from the battery of older types. This means that they can be safely topped up at any time, without fear of lowering durability. It is also important to use chargers delivered by the manufacturer – the wrong charger can lead to faster battery consumption.
The batteries in electric bikes actually wear out, but the right use can significantly delay this process. Caring for the battery, according to the above tips, you will easily use the full potential of your electric bike. Even when the first signs of degradation appear, there are many possibilities to extend the life of the battery without buying completely new equipment.
