Tips and Tricks to Take Care and Prolong Your E-Bike's Battery Life

Battery is the most important component of an e-bike because it retains all the power to get the bike moving. The most optimum and popular kind of battery for an e-bike today is lithium-ion batteries.

These li-ion batteries comprise the best combination of capacity and total weight, but they are sensitive to temperature conditions and cannot charge quickly. So, if you wish to prolong the EV bike battery life, you must be mindful of the following:

Use a Reliable Charger Provided By the Bike Manufacturer

It is imperative that you charge your bike with the charger provided by the manufacturer. Not doing so might not only affect electric bike battery life but also impair bike performance. In extreme scenarios, using the wrong charger from a different brand can cause the battery to explode.

Be Mindful of the Charging

An EV bike’s battery life is measured in terms of its charging cycles. One charging cycle is the duration of usage from 100% state of charge to 0% and back to 100%.

Generally, a Li-ion Ev battery will have a life of around 300 to 500 charge cycles. When charging your e-bike, keep the following things in mind:

• Draining your battery to 0% or deep discharging will significantly reduce the bike battery life of your EV. It is advised to never let the State of Charge (SOC) of your e-bike go below 20% to keep it in its optimum health.

• Additionally, it is recommended to not charge the battery to 100% all the time as batteries last longest when they are charged between 20% to 80%. Certain bike manufacturers allow the option to set the upper limit of your bike and if you cap your daily charging cycles to 80% you can increase the bike battery life of your EV.

• If you are concerned about not having an electric bike battery backup, you can make a note of how much charging is needed for your everyday commute and make adjustments accordingly.

• Finally, fast charging is a marketing gimmick to entice customers and so, unless absolutely necessary, it is advised to avoid fast charging. Generally, your Li-ion battery is designed for Level 2 charging (through a 220v wall socket).

• DC fast charging or Level 3 charging thrusts high current into the battery that can lead to micro-damage if used for a prolonged period. Moreover, there is a lot of heat build-up in fast charging that can adversely affect electric bike battery life.

Avoid Sudden Acceleration

Whether it is a combustion engine or a battery-run bike, quick acceleration and deceleration harm the vehicle's overall mileage. Moreover, it is important to ride smoothly when you own EVs especially because their acceleration can quickly ascend.

Acceleration is a key factor influencing the e-bike’s battery life. Sudden acceleration means harming the performance of your vehicle along with stressing the battery. This is because rapid acceleration sucks large amounts of charge from the batteries and affects their range and life in the long run.

Check the Range and Capacity of Your Bike’s Battery

When it comes to EV batteries, a common question keeps surfacing on electric bikes: how long do batteries last? The bike battery duration depends on several factors such as the type of battery in your bike, your riding style, the size of the battery, the make and model of your bike, etc. When you go to purchase an EV, it is important to acquaint yourself with your electric bike’s battery duration so you are not stranded with a drained battery because you overestimated the capacity of your bike.

Look for a Safe Charging Station

When you overcharge lithium batteries, there is a risk of explosion - not only is this risky but also an expensive mess to clear. To prevent this from happening, you must scout for the right location to charge your e-bike.

Places such as an empty garage or a room outside of your home can be designated as the charging station for your e-bike. The location of your charging must be dry and free from any humidity.

Go Through the User Manual

The user manual contains all the important details that can help you optimise the performance of your bike and help you effectively increase e-bike battery life.

The user manual comprises several important details such as throttle operation, pedal assistance, recommended travelling speeds appropriate for the usage area, riding conditions, etc. Knowing these details and adhering to these recommendations can help prolong your EV bike’s battery life.

Minimise Exposure to Extreme Weather Conditions

Li-ion batteries are highly sensitive to temperatures and extreme conditions can significantly impair the performance and the battery life of your EV.

If you reside in an area with high temperatures, it is advised to park your bike inside a garage or in the shade. Conversely, if you live in a place where temperatures are low, consider keeping your bike in an enclosed garage.

Check the Carrying Capacity of Your E-Bike

Carrying capacity is the maximum loading capacity of your vehicle. This carrying capacity is subject to change depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

It is important to refer to the user manual and not exceed the loading capacity as it can damage the battery of your EV in the long run.

Invest in Bike Insurance

As there is a complex mechanism involved when it comes to e-bikes, it is important to secure its maintenance with comprehensive two-wheeler insurance. The right insurance for a bike secures your journeys by offering coverage for unfortunate eventualities such as accidental damages, third-party liabilities, theft, vandalism, etc.

Moreover, if you are worried about policy lapses you can invest in our Tata AIG long-term two-wheeler insurance and forget about the hassle of renewals.

As EVs are becoming increasingly popular, it is important to think of the best way to keep them in their optimal performing condition. In this endeavour, paying special attention to the battery life of your e-bike will automatically ensure your EV remains in good health for longer.

Do I need an electric bike battery backup?

If you can effortlessly travel to and fro your regular commute without the SOC dropping below 20% you will not need to worry about needing battery backups.

In electric bikes how long do the batteries last?

In well-maintained conditions, you can typically expect your battery to last between three and five years.

Why do I need bike insurance for my e-bike?

Here are some of the key benefits of getting electric bike insurance:

You get a cost-effective cover against potential unforeseeable scenarios on the road.

As e-bikes need specific maintenance it is important to secure your purchase with two-wheeler insurance in case something goes wrong.

The higher-end models employ complex computer-driven technologies which can cost heavily for repairs or replacement in the event of an accident in the absence of insurance for the bike.