Electric bicycles are fantastic, but they are also an investment, and a crucial component of that investment is the battery. Unfortunately, just like your old phone now needing to be charged every five minutes, electric bicycle batteries inevitably degrade over time and lose some of their capacity. If you want to learn how to keep your electric bicycle battery healthier for longer, check out our expert tips and advice.
- Pedal effectively and use gears
The fewer times you charge and discharge the battery, the longer its lifespan. It makes sense to try to find a balance of power during each ride, meaning pedal wisely.
Electric bicycle motors are designed to work with a normal to high pedaling cadence; they're most efficient and consume the least amount of energy. Bosch recommends keeping your cadence above 50, avoiding slow grinding, and making full use of the lovely gear distribution that comes with your bicycle.
Similarly, make full use of the modes provided with your electric bicycle—ideally, you want to use the lowest power setting you can handle to seek greater range, but not if it slows down your cadence to a crawl.
2. Avoid full charging and discharging of the battery
Batteries themselves have built-in computer chips to regulate their output and charging. This means they will never completely deplete and ruin themselves in the process.
However, performing full charges and discharges on the battery every time you go out does impose a higher load on the battery. So, if you consistently go out with a fully charged battery and then bring it back inside, you'll need to rinse and repeat. Instead, try to stop riding before the battery is completely drained on each ride... easier said than done.
3.Charge the electric bicycle battery at room temperature
Now, this is a big one. Charging the battery at room temperature is crucial, with the ideal temperature being between 10-20°C (50-68°F), definitely not below freezing. ChamRider advises charging the battery indoors, in a dry place with a smoke detector (lithium-ion batteries have proven to be very safe, but in extremely rare cases, they can catch fire if short-circuited). Charging outside of this temperature window will result in reduced range and shorter battery lifespan, as colder objects have increased resistance, causing a decrease in electrical capacity.
Riding for a few hours in cold weather is not bad for your battery since it will reach a certain temperature regardless of the environmental conditions. However, starting from warm is important. This means that if you're driving a van, place it in front of you and the heater, and put it on the bike immediately before riding. Also, avoid taking it directly from a cold shed; warm it up inside beforehand.
During the summer, don't leave it in direct sunlight either, just like your phone, as high temperatures increase the load on the battery. In theory, if the battery overheats, the motor will automatically shut off, just like on a laptop, but we haven't experienced such a situation.
Avoid fully depleting or fully charging the battery
If you haven't ridden your electric bicycle for a few days, weeks, or months, it's important not to leave it fully charged or completely drained. Bosch recommends keeping it at around 30-60% capacity, while Shimano suggests keeping it at 70%. Recharge the battery every 6 months, and of course, fully charge it before riding again.
Avoid excessive water usage around the motor and battery area
Clean carefully, avoid high-pressure cleaning
Bosch suggests removing the battery before cleaning the bike, while Shimano recommends keeping it in place to protect the terminals. Shimano's advice may be more practical in real-world application as there can be a significant exposure of wires splashed with mud and water if the battery is not installed.
We believe the best approach is to gently clean it vertically with a hose and sponge, then let it dry completely before opening it up.
Tips and Tricks
ChamRider suggests that if there is dirt or grime on the battery terminals (not the battery itself), you can clean them with a soft, dry brush or cotton swab.
Finally, reach out to the dealer who specializes in your motor and check the status of your battery. They will be able to inform you about the battery's condition and whether you're in a long-term storage situation or if there is any equipment damage.
Electric bicycle questions you're afraid to ask:
- Why does the charger get hot?
Converting the UK's 240V voltage to 36V for ChamRider results in some energy loss in the form of heat, typically around 10%, according to ChamRider. Charging automatically shuts off when the capacity is reached, so there is no overcharging or increased load.
- Canbattery manufacturersopen the casing and replace a faulty battery like Tesla does?
No, it is not possible because the batteries need to be perfectly matched to avoid overcharging or over-discharging. It is technically feasible but a complex process, which would cost more money – acceptable for a £100,000 car but not for a £5,000 electric bicycle. As a point of interest, the Bosch PowerTube 625Wh battery has 50 individual cells inside.
- How many cycles can the battery endure?
It depends on how you treat it. ChamRider states it can be charged up to 1,000 times, equivalent to normal usage for 7-10 years before the battery capacity starts to decline. Obviously, you would replace the bike before that, so theoretically, it can extend the lifespan of the bike. ChamRider guarantees that after 1,000 charging cycles, the battery will retain at least 60% of its original capacity.
ChamRider's warranty guarantees that within the warranty period (24 months after purchase, or 36 months from the date of battery purchase), the 400Wh, 500Wh, and 625Wh batteries will have at least 60% of their original energy capacity, and the 300Wh battery will have at least 70% of its original energy capacity. This is based on proper maintenance or 500 full charging cycles, whichever comes first. The brand states that with proper care, the lifespan can be much longer, as supported by lab tests and customer feedback.
- Where do thebatteriesgo when they are depleted?
Battery dealers, whether for bicycle batteries, phone batteries, or car batteries, have a responsibility to recycle the batteries. Different battery recycling programs exist throughout Europe, and in the UK, Valpak operates the largest compliance scheme. Interestingly, the UK tends to export its battery waste rather than recycling it domestically, primarily to France, Germany, and Poland.
