Electric bikes aren’t cheap, and neither are their batteries. With batteries ranging from $200 to $900, it’s essential to know how long this investment will last. So, what exactly is the lifetime of an electric bike battery?
The average electric bike battery will last two to four years. The lifespan is affected by the battery’s age, charge cycles, and how it’s cared for. Proper operation and storage will extend the battery’s life. A new E-Bike battery costs between $200-$900, depending on the quality and manufacturer.
Electric batteries might seem like a hassle, but they’re actually pretty easy to care for. Proper maintenance, storage, and charging can extend your battery’s life and range. We’ll teach you everything you need to know!
What’s the Lifetime of an Electric Bike Battery?
The lifespan of an electric bike battery will vary on different factors. However, most riders can expect two to four years of life from their e-bike battery. But what all affects a battery’s lifespan?
Charge Cycles
One of the factors that impacts the lifespan of an e-bike battery is how many charge cycles it has (and how many have been used). A complete charge cycle is completed when a battery is full-charged, fully discharged, and fully charged again.
The fewer charge cycles a battery has, the lower your battery’s performance will be, and the closer the battery will be to needing to be replaced. Most e-bike batteries will have a capacity of between 500 and 1,200 charge cycles.
Maintenance
Another factor that affects the lifespan of an electric bike battery is how well it’s been maintained.
Obviously, anything that has been treated with proper care will typically last longer. E-bike batteries are no different. Properly charging, storing, and maintaining your e-bike battery will extend its lifespan.
Battery Age
Electric bike batteries deteriorate with age. The longer you use a battery, the less efficient it becomes. Lithium batteries will lose capacity over time even when not in use. The loss of capacity and the use of charge cycles will reduce the performance of your battery over time.
Your e-bike battery life span will be determined by how well you maintain it, charge it, and ride it. E-bike batteries will generally last anywhere between two to four years, but your mileage may vary.
Some riders have reported needing to replace their batteries yearly or every year and a half.
Do I Need to Replace the Battery on my Electric Bike?
A good rule of thumb is to replace your e-bike battery every two years or when you notice a significant decrease in performance. However, this is more difficult to do with some e-bikes than others.
Some brands have specific battery models and requirements. You may have to purchase new batteries directly from them or their manufacturers with these companies.
Other companies might use universal batteries, which are much more convenient to replace.
What Are the Different Types of Electric Batteries?
The different electric bike batteries you can find are lithium-ion, nickel, and lead. Each battery type has its own unique set of pros and cons.
Lithium-ion
Lithium-ion batteries are the standard type of batteries found in e-bikes. They have the highest charge cycle range of 1,000 total charges. These batteries are the standard for today’s market but can be pretty expensive compared to the other options.
Nickel
Nickel batteries have a lower life span than lithium-ion batteries at 500 charge cycles. Nickel batteries are becoming a thing of the past; however, they can be a good option if you can find them. The NiMH variety of nickel batteries is definitely worth looking into for those going the DIY route.
Lead
You will be hard-pressed to find an e-bike in today’s market that uses lead batteries. These batteries are cheap and inefficient, only lasting 300 charge cycles. If you are actually serious about using your e-bike, do not go with a lead battery.
Can you Ride an Electric Bike Without a Battery?
Yes. It’s a bike, after all! However, riding an electric bike without a battery comes with a few caveats.
Electric bikes are heavier than traditional bicycles. The added electrical components of an e-bike can add upwards of 25 lbs to the bike’s weight. Combine that added weight with racks, bags, and other accessories, and you can have a hefty ride.
Pedaling a heavier e-bike without motor assistance can be a daunting task. Moving 50-80lbs of metal with just your legs can be incredibly tiring. That’s why it’s essential to keep your battery correctly charged or to purchase a spare.
How Much do Replacement E-Bike Batteries Cost?
Electric Bike batteries are going to vary in cost, but they typically range anywhere between $200 and $900. This price range depends on the battery’s brand, capacity, and quality.
Let’s take a generic battery brand, for example. This battery (On Amazon) comes in at 48V and 10AH and is priced reasonably well at just under $200. You won’t be getting the backing of a high-grade name brand, but this battery will net you around 20-25 miles per charge.
We notice a distinct difference when we look at a more notable brand, such as BAFANG (On Amazon). This battery is priced between $400-$600, and the most expensive model has 52V and 17.5AH.
This battery will have a range of 45 miles without including pedal-assist or manpower. On top of that, the higher price point nets you higher-quality materials and security features.
Or, let’s say you have a name-brand e-bike like the Lectric XP Step-Thru 2.0. With this model and similar designs, you’ll need to purchase a spare battery directly through the manufacturer.
These batteries may be priced slightly higher than average, but you can always be sure you’re getting a compatible and trustworthy component.
How To Maintain the Life of Your E-Bike’s Battery
Keeping your e-bike battery in working condition ensures its performance and lifespan. To keep your battery working in peak performance, you should charge it properly, store it correctly, and service it regularly.
- Never fully discharge the battery. Be sure to avoid entirely discharging your electric bike battery. Fully discharging won’t destroy your battery, but this shouldn’t be a usual occurrence. Fully discharging your e-bike battery uses one of the charge cycles, resulting in a lower lifespan.
- Charge to 80-90% capacity. Another way to improve your battery’s capacity is never fully charging it. Fully charging your battery also affects the length of its lifespan. Charge your battery to 80-90% capacity for the best results. You can charge it to 100% capacity, but it should be routinely avoided, just like fully discharging.
- Keep it charged when not in use. Keep a little bit of juice in your battery when you aren’t using your e-bike. Lithium-ion batteries lose their charge over time, which can impact their lifespan. Leave about 20-30% charge in your battery when it’s not in use for the long term.
- Store at correct temperatures. Besides storing your battery somewhat charged when it’s not in use, you’ll also want to be wary of the temperature. Higher temperatures can negatively impact your battery’s lifespan and performance. Store batteries between 32°F and 68°F to ensure it’s performance and safety.
- Service regularly. Be sure to regularly get your battery serviced at a bike shop. We recommend you go in for maintenance and diagnostics around twice a year. Even if you’re doing most of the care and troubleshooting yourself, going into a shop can be highly beneficial.
The shop technicians will run diagnostics, detect problems, and offer solutions that you may not have thought of. Additionally, the shop technician’s experience with other batteries will allow them to recognize different problems within yours.
How Many Hours Does an Electric Bike Battery Last?
The length of time your electric bike will last on a full charge will vary. Each electric bike model, company, and the manufacturer will be different. That being said, we can make some educated guesses.
The Lectric XP Step-Thru 2.0 boasts a 45-mile range on a single charge. Let’s say you were traveling at 15mph at a constant rate. You would be able to use your electric bike for three hours.
That example only works because we’re viewing it from a vacuum. The hours you get out of a single charge will depend on terrain, commute, and more. Most riders will be able to get anywhere between 3-6 hours out of a single charge on their e-bike.
This timeframe may last some riders multiple days, while others charge their batteries every night.