How to get most out of your e-bike’s battery

What you need to know about the capacity of your battery

By battery capacity we understand the amount of energy stored. This amount is expressed in Watthour (Wh). The more capacity, the larger the range of action. Next to the capacity, other elements too have an influence on the action range.

The circuit: With an almost flat circuit, the range will be larger than with a bumpy, sandy or hilly one.

Tyre pressure: Hard tyres result in less friction, resulting in a larger range.

Head wind: The stronger the headwind, the higher the resistance, the smaller the range.

Frequency: Stopping and restarting also costs energy

Battery condition: A new battery results in better performances and a larger range than an old one. Therefore, buying an e-bike with a high capacity battery is more advantageous than having to upgrade or even buying an extra battery later on.

Durability and maintenance

Your battery is something to handle economically. You wouldn’t like it to loose any of its capacity. But that’s impossible. There will always be loss, but you can reduce it as much as possible by carefully maintaining your battery.
What is the best way to do so?

Avoid deep unloading: If your battery is getting too empty (most of the time by self-unloading when bike is not in use for some time), this may result in deep unloading. The battery cells can get irreparably damaged. This also goes for modern bike batteries that may be (partially) protected against total unloading. Regular charging is the only solution, also when you are not using your bike for a while, e.g. in winter. A frequency of once a month should do the job.

Avoid very low temperatures: If you cannot stall your bike inside, see to it that you take out the battery. This will enhance the battery’s durability and range of action. Too cold a battery can lead to a loss of 30 to 50% of its action range. Extremely high temperatures are also to be avoided. Room temperature is recommendable.

Use the right charger for the right bicycle battery: Never use just whatever battery you can lay your hands on. Even if the charger seems to have the right connector and number of poles, this does not necessarily mean that it is the right one. Especially be careful with the voltage and the suitability for the right type of bike battery (Ni-MH, Ni-Cd, Li-on, LiFePO4). So always use the charger that came with your bike.

After the purchase of your bike, take your time to carefully go through the instructions. Also those of the electrical bike itself, including the loading advice. You will enjoy your new top notch bike that much longer.