Having a fully charged battery is important to an electric bike. The most expensive component is the battery and the motor. Today most ready-to-go e-bikes use a lithium-ion battery pack, and the size of the bikes makes a difference in the price you will pay.

These lithium-ion batteries are now used in all types of applications. So it’s no surprise to find them powering electric bikes. What you will discover is that more expensive e-bikes have lighter higher-tech batteries that charge quickly and last longer. Batteries degrade over time, holding less charge as they age.

The quality of an electric bike battery makes a difference

A better battery will help you maximize the distance (range) you expect to achieve, so look for a reputable named battery manufacturer. Then make sure the warranty covers the battery for at least two years. Conservatively lithium-ion batteries are typically said to last for 1,000 full charge cycles. That’s about three years daily with five to seven weekly charging periods. With careful use, the battery can survive longer, so you could possibly double its life with half-charge cycles. In practice, a battery life of several years is quite easy to achieve, depending on how often you charge and store the battery.

A center post battery unit for an electric bike

To maximize the life of your electric bike battery

• Ride your bike a lot and charge it often
• If your bike comes with a smart charger, faithfully disconnect the charger within 24 hours.
• When not in use for a week or more, please charge the battery to only 40% to 70% of its capacity
• Then store the battery or bike and battery in a cool, dry place, above freezing, Checking the charge every two to three weeks to keep it in that range.