The ebike battery is what determines the cost, weight and range of an electric bike. Because of this it’s important that you learn about the various types of batteries and how they can change your entire riding experience. Currently, there are four types of batteries that are suitable for electric bikes. These choices include: lithium ion, ithium polymer, NiCad and NiMH. Learning how these batteries work and how to care for them can provide you with a more dependable battery and save you from having to replace your battery more than once a year.

Ebike Battery Basics: Options and Power

For many years, lead acid batteries were the standard power supply for electric vehicles, because they’re low cost. Approximately seventy percent of all electric bikes sold all over the world still use this type of battery pack. But because these batteries are very heavy, causing the ebike to go slower and in turn decreases the range per charge, they are slowly being phased out. While these batteries are the least expensive, they are also the heaviest.

NiCad is a type of battery that has a reputation for a good cycle life and are commonly used in a variety of cordless tools and certain toys that require a large current. However, for ebikes, they have been replaced by lithium or NiMH batteries because they don’t pack the type of power needed for longer commutes.  Also a heavier battery, they’re still a better option than lead.

NiMH batteries are smaller than NiCads, but they feature much higher energy density and are better for the environment. They’re also the go-to battery type for digital cameras. This type of ebike battery is approximately twenty percent lighter than NiCads and features similar charge and discharge characteristics.

Electronics that feature plug-in chargers are typically powered with lithium batteries. Lithium batteries have the ability to store around three times the energy of NiCads and NiMhs.

Lithium polymer, also referred to as LiPo, is considered the lightest battery option. The cells in this type of battery are able to handle impressively high discharge currents and because of this they are often found in electric remote control cars and airplanes.

Lithium manganese are the most common type of lithium batteries used in ebikes, but they’re heavier than LiPos, however, they are also much safer.

The battery packs used in electric bikes are made up of individual cells that connect to each other.  As current is drawn from these packs, voltage slowly decreases until the cells eventually go flat. The amount of time an ebike battery lasts depends on its amp hours. A battery that can deliver an amp four one hour means it features a 1AH capacity. Most ebike models feature battery packs that offer about ten amp hours.

Replacing your Electric Bike Battery

Batteries don’t last forever, so there will come a time when you need to replace your ebike battery. Most people can tell when their battery needs to be replaced because there’s a significant difference in the type of mileage they’re getting, even when the battery has been fully charged.

If you own a factory made ebike, then you should purchase the same type of battery used in that model. Often, manufacturers will include an extra battery pack as part of the electric bike package. If you have trouble locating the same type of battery, contact the manufacturer.

You should also use the same type of battery that comes in an electric bike conversion kit. However, if the manufacturer has gone out of business, then finding the exact type of battery you need can be challenging.

We recommend using the same type of battery as the manufacturer because some companies will void an ebike warranty if you use an unapproved replacement. So before you decide to try out a different type of battery be sure to check the warranty. Some cyclists will choose to upgrade their battery from a NiCad to a lithium because it provides a longer charge and is much lighter, however, strict warranties will not cover the cost of repairs if they discover you have been using the wrong type of battery. If you’ve decided to upgrade and use a different type of battery you first need to ensure that it’s compatible with your bike.

Tips that can extend the Life of Your Electric Bike Battery

Once you have purchased an electric bike, it’s important that you follow these necessary steps to ensure that your ebike is running at its best and this includes proper battery care. Caring for your battery the right way will extend battery life while boosting the speed and power of your ebike.

Before you take your bike out on the road thoroughly read the user’s manual. That’s where you’ll find important information regarding bike and battery care and how to contact the manufacturer should you need replacement parts or repairs.

When charging your bike, never use an unapproved charger. Only use the charger that’s been supplied by the manufacturer. Using the wrong type of charger may affect your mileage and can even result in an explosion or fire.

Always wait to charge your bike until it’s out of juice. Some batteries suffer from what is called memory discharge. This occurs when the user recharges the electric bike before the battery is out of juice and results in only partial charges. This is a defect that is not very common among the types of ebike batteries used today.

Very cold or hot temperatures can negatively affect battery performance and can even shorten its lifespan. Instead of charging your bike outdoors, charge it in a room with regulated temperatures. The battery should never be exposed to temperatures that are hotter than 104 degrees.

If you don’t ride your ebike year-round, then you should store your battery with a full charge. After a few months check the battery and recharge if necessary.

Store your electric bike, the battery and charger in a warm, dry location. Avoid humidity at all costs.

Following these ebike battery tips can extend battery life and allow you to enjoy longer rides or daily commutes reliably.

Riding a bike is cheap, convenient and economical and it can save you hundreds of dollars a year on gas and routine car maintenance. But bikes may not be a good choice for individuals with arthritis, past injuries or the elderly because they can be hard to use on tougher terrain. The invention of the electric bike has changed all of that and allows individuals of all fitness levels and ages to enjoy a bike ride around town like never before.

In recent years factory made ebikes and electric bike conversion kits have gained popularity as an economic way to get around town and get in shape. There are a number of differences between a conversion and a factory made model, including cost, engine type and mileage. Learning about these differences will allow you to determine which type of Ebike is right for you, your family and your budget.

Electric Bike Conversion Kits: Motors and Modes for the Toughest and Best Ebikes

If you are considering turning your traditional bike into an ebike, there are a few things to consider, such as how much weight are you willing to add to your bike, how far do you want to travel per charge, are you able to install the conversion kit yourself or will you need to hire someone to do it, and of course, how much money can you spend on this conversion? Most kits will feature a couple of different riding modes: manual and full throttle. The manual mode turns the ebike into a traditional bike, while full throttle allows the motor to completely take over. Some kits will also include the pedal assist mode, which kicks on to assist the cyclist during hilly terrain.

There are several types of conversion kits to choose from, each of which is based on motor type and how the motor is mounted. These choices include front hub motors, rear hub motors, geared drive to rear wheel and geared drive to pedal crank.

The front in hub motor electric bike conversion kits are pretty straightforward are easier to install and will fit most types of bikes.

The rear in hub motor features a more complicated installation process and can add too much weight to a bike’s rear wheel, but they offer better up-hill traction than the front in hub kits.

The geared drive rear wheel kits provide better mileage and may require the purchase of extra parts during installation, but overall they’re usually one of the more affordable types of conversion kits for ebikes. This type of kit is bolted to the bike’s frame above the back axle and can require professional installation.

The geared drive to pedal crank kit features a motor that’s bolted to the frame, near the pedal cranks. Because the motor drives through the gears the cyclist can ride up even the steepest hill with ease. Because this type of setup requires plenty of additional parts and engineering know-how, professional installation is usually recommended.

The cost of a conversion kit can vary depending on manufacturer, motor type and mount, battery and the extra components included in the package. You can expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $2000.

Before you buy, consider what you intend to use your electric bike for and what your needs are in terms of power, speed and range. If you want an electric bike as a daily commuter for a route that features mainly flat terrain, then choosing a kit with a smaller motor will be perfect and more cost effective. The rougher the terrain the more energy a bike will use, which in turn will minimize your bike mileage per charge. Other factors such as the weight of the rider and weather will also affect mileage. Usually, an electric bike can get up to twelve to fourteen miles per hour with ten to thirty miles per charge.

Factory Made Ebikes: Ready Right out of the Box

A factory electric bike comes with the entire ebike setup and is basically ready to ride straight out of the box. Usually, this type of bike assembly can be completed in ten to fifteen minutes, making it a great option for individuals who have no prior experience with bike assembly.

A factory made ebike is equipped with an electric motor that starts up automatically once the cyclist starts pedaling. Most models will utilize lithium ion batteries because they provide the best charge and are lightweight and relatively maintenance free. They can also recharge within two to three hours.

A factory made model will include the same components as a conversion kit, however, they’re usually more affordable than a kit and feature a price that ranges from $200 to $1,200, depending on manufacturer. They can also offer more riding modes including pedal assist, full assist and manual. Manual simply means that the motor is switched off so that the bike works like a traditional model. Pedal assist will help the cyclist during a more strenuous ride and still allows them to burn calories. Full assist allows the motor to take full control of the ride.

Electric bikes are different than a traditional bike in a couple of big ways: they’re much heavier which means they can cause a lot of damage if you crash or hit a pedestrian and they’re also much faster than a regular bike.

Do I Need a License and Insurance to Ride my Electric Bike?

Most states will not require an ebike rider to own a license in order to legally pedal around town, as long as the motor is under 750 watts and doesn’t go above twenty miles per hour. Each state will set their own ebike laws, which can include a minimum motor wattage and age of the rider. On a ride, an ebike rider must adhere to the rules of the road and any additional laws that surround ebikes specifically, including helmet laws. Insurance is not required in order to ride an electric bike, but because most models are pretty expensive, we recommend purchasing insurance against theft.