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Useful information about E-Bike batteries & chargers
To drive an electric bicycle, a rechargeable battery is required to provide the necessary energy. For this purpose, special e-bike batteries are used, which are offered in different types and performance classes. Was you interested in the e-bike batteries and what was to be observed when purchasing them, you will find out in our guide.
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General information on e-bikes and e-bike batteries
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Capacity and range of e-bike batteries
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E-bike batteries based on lithium-ion
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Purchase criteria for e-bike batteries – what's it all about?
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Our practical tip: Maintain and treat rechargeable batteries correctly
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FAQ – frequently asked questions about e-bike batteries
General information on e-bikes and e-bike batteries
E-bikes are no longer a rare occurrence on German roads. The number of copies sold in Germany more than doubled between 2012 and 2016. The fact that the demand for e-bikes is increasing is due to the fact that they offer a decisive advantage compared to a bicycle with a mere pedal drive: The electric motor. This is used for support, for example, when you have to overcome slopes or if you simply run out of the puste during longer tours.
E-bikes are equipped with a traction battery so that the electric motor can be supplied with energy. It provides the required electrical power. This is an accumulator that can be based on, for example, nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride or lithium ions. The life of a battery is limited, especially if it is an older generation. If the performance of an E-Bike battery decreases, this is usually recognized by a weaker drive, a motor that fails, or by the fact that the battery has to be recharged more frequently. In this case, an E-Bike replacement battery must be her to restore the e-Bike to its proper functioning. In our online shop you will find bicycle batteries and chargers from different manufacturers, among which you can certainly find an adequate replacement for your original battery.
Capacity and range of e-bike batteries
The range of a rechargeable battery is an important factor for users of an e-bike, after all, the electric support is only guaranteed as long as the motor is supplied with energy. Especially with longer tours, it is annoying if the drive fails after half of the kilometers covered, only when the strenuous stretch part is still ahead.
Battery capacity and range are related because how long a fully charged battery lasts depends on how much energy it can (and must) provide. The capacity, i.e. the energy storage capacity of a rechargeable battery, is usually specified in watt hours (Wh). This is the amount of energy that a battery delivers per hour. The capacity of a rechargeable battery is the product of electrical voltage (specified in volt/V) and nominal charge (specified in ampere hours/Ah). Basically, the higher the capacity in watt hours, the higher the range.
However, the range of a rechargeable battery is not only dependant on its capacity, but is influenced by numerous factors. This can be the driver's weight, the topography of the track (often relevant for electric mountain bikes), the wind direction, the tire pressure, the driver's own driving behavior (frequent stopping vs. smooth driving) and much more. The support mode selected while driving also affects the range. Bosch provides a range assistant online, which calculates the range of an e-bike using various parameters. These include average speed, driving mode, cadence and weight of user, driver and luggage. Such calculations can provide an initial orientation, but are nevertheless more likely to be regarded as estimates.
E-bike batteries based on lithium-ion
The battery technology has made a major development leap in recent years and has produced powerful versions. These include primarily lithium-ion batteries (in short: Li-ion batteries), which are now almost only available. They are light, have a high energy density and a long service life. Unlike older generation nickel-cadmium batteries, Li-ion batteries are not subject to memory effects. This is a loss of capacity caused by frequent partial discharges.
Please note, however, that lithium-ion batteries must not be exposed to deep discharge, as otherwise the cells could carry irreversible damage. The same applies to lithium polymer batteries, a variant of Li-Ion batteries. In this context, it should be noted that e-bike batteries of all types lose a certain amount of energy even during storage. The charging status should therefore be checked regularly.
Purchase criteria for e-bike batteries – what's it all about?
If you want to buy a new battery for your e-bike, make sure that it is compatible with your bike. In this context, the drive system must be taken into account. To find a compatible replacement battery, you must know the manufacturer's name and the voltage required. It is also important that the rechargeable battery fits into the corresponding holder on the electric bicycle. This is relevant because batteries are not fitted in the same place on every electric bike. Some are located on the bike frame, others on the carrier. For this reason, e-bike batteries (for example, the Bosch Powerpacks) are offered in both versions.
The battery capacity and therefore the range also play a major role in the purchase. Although larger batteries offer more memory and thus keep a longer distance, this does not mean that larger batteries are automatically better. It should be borne in mind that as the size increases, a battery is heavier and usually more expensive. It is recommended that you choose a version that best suits your driving habits. For your orientation: A battery capacity of 300 Wh is usually sufficient for occasional drivers who use their bike for trips in the city and smaller excursions. On the other hand, e-bike batteries with 500 Wh capacity are the better choice if you plan long tours with a lot of driving weight and manage routes with many gradients. For e-bikers on the go, it may be worth purchasing a second battery that acts as a replacement battery.
Many bicycle batteries are equipped with a battery management system (BMS). This is an electronic control system that monitors the charging and discharging of the battery. A BMS protects against deep discharge on one side and overvoltages on the other side and thus provides for a long service life of the battery.
To charge a battery, a suitable charger is required. If you do not have an e-bike charging station in the vicinity and want to carry your charger with you, make sure that it is as small and light as possible. In situations where it has to be fast, the charging time is also relevant. Fast Chargers (available for Bosch Powerpacks, for example) are fast chargers that charge the battery within a very short time and thus save long waiting times.
Our practical tip: Maintain and treat rechargeable batteries correctly
Heat and cold damage any type of bicycle battery, so the e-bike should be parked in a shady spot on hot days and in an environment at room temperature on cold days. The optimum temperature for operating a rechargeable battery is about 15 to 25° C. The driving style also has an impact on the durability of a rechargeable battery: Too much acceleration when starting up and long-term driving at the highest support level cost a lot of energy. Here, with the power mode to households, it is important.
FAQ – frequently asked questions about e-bike batteries
Does a replacement battery have to come from the same manufacturer as the original?
Not necessarily, but it is recommendable. If you buy a battery from the same manufacturer that the original comes from, you can expect consistent quality and full functionality. This is not the case if you use cheaper replicas. It is not possible to say exactly whether the processed components are of good quality. If you choose a replacement battery from an unknown manufacturer, make sure that it has at least been CE tested. With a CE mark, manufacturers indicate that the product complies with EU Regulation 765/2008. However, it should be said that CE marking is not an independant certification mark.
How are e-bike batteries disposed of?
E-Bike batteries must not be disposed of in household waste just like conventional batteries. There are communal collection points where you can hand in your battery free of charge, and some recycling centers also accept batteries and batteries. In principle, anyone who sells industrial batteries is obliged to take them back. If your bike dealer sells e-bike batteries, this is also true for him.
What was a charging cycle?
The term "charging zkylus" refers to the recharging time of a discharged battery up to the complete charging of the battery. A charging cycle can consist of several partial loads. For example, if you charge a bicycle battery from 30% to 80% on day 1, 50%, and repeat the process on day 2, the full charge cycle (50% + 50%) is reached.