How to Extend the Life of Your eBike Battery?
Electric bikes are an excellent means of reducing your carbon footprint and helping the environment.
As the battery technologies are aggressively improving and the cost of lithium-ion batteries are witnessing a downfall, you can now find an extensive range of eBikes across every price point.
After purchasing an electric bike, one of the most vital considerations is its battery. After all, it is the primary source of power responsible for the functioning of the motor and channeling the energy through all the components.
Unfortunately, with time, the performance of your eBike's battery will deteriorate. But with regular maintenance and a bit of care, you can extend its shelf-life.
How To Make Your eBike Battery Last Longer
Here are some tips that can help you extend the life of your eBike’s battery.
1. Use the Charger Provided or Approved by the Manufacturer
Most of the eBikes come with a battery charger. It is highly recommended that you only use the charger provided by the manufacturer for charging the battery of your eBike. If you use the wrong charger, it can significantly affect its performance and can also lead to an explosion or fire.
While you might be able to find chargers with higher currents that can charge your electric bike’s battery faster, if the charging current is considerably higher than what is recommended by the manufacturer, it can reduce the shelf-life of your battery.
2. Avoid Fully Discharging the Battery Every Time
Lithium-ion batteries do not have a charge memory. Thus, discharging it to 0% every time can be harmful in the longer run. Shallow discharges with regular top-ups are the best way to boost the life of your eBike’s battery. This will protect the battery pack from any kind of charging stress and make it last longer.
While it is completely alright if the battery reaches 0% once in a while, avoid making it a habit. Depending on the range of your eBike and your usage, you can consider recharging after every 2-3 rides to maintain the battery charge.
3. Create the Right Environment for Your eBike’s Battery
The external environment also impacts the shelf-life of your electric bike’s battery. So, ensure that you never expose the battery pack to very high heat, high humidity, water, or extremely cold temperatures. Similarly, the battery should also be protected against aggressive vibration, shock, and puncture.
It is generally recommended that the battery should be stored in temperatures ranging from 0°C to 25°C. You should take every possible measure to avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures beyond 40°C. Higher temperatures make the lithium power inside the battery pack lose electrical resistance. Over time, this can cut short the lifespan of the battery.
4. Clean It Right
You should also clean the battery pack once every couple of months. Just a brisk wipe with a damp cloth should be enough. Ensure that you never touch the battery terminals with wet objects or metal to avoid shock. Also, while the battery pack of eBikes is water-resistant, you should never fully submerge it in water.
Last but not least, you should never attempt to open the battery pack of your electric bike, be it for repairing or examining. As the lithium powder inside the battery is highly combustible, the battery can explode as soon as the powder is exposed to oxygen.
Additional eBike Battery Care Tips
Here are some other tips that can help-
- Avoid charging the battery as soon as you return from a ride. You should wait at least 20-30 minutes for the battery to cool down before charging.
- Disconnect the battery from the charger once the battery is charged 100%. Most eBike chargers automatically cut off the power supply once the battery is fully charged.
- If you’ll not be using your eBike for a considerable duration, store the battery in a cool and dry place with at least a 40%-80% charge.
- Always read the owner’s manual before using your electric bike or charging its battery for the first time.
Extend the Life of Your eBike Battery
The electric batteries of modern eBikes can easily last for several years with proper maintenance and care. If you’ve recently purchased an electric bike or planning to purchase one soon, keep the above-mentioned tips in mind to extend its battery life.
In case of any queries regarding the battery or if something is not working as it should, always consult an expert and avoid the DIY approach as it could be dangerous.
