Electric bike range: the practical guide

Are you thinking about buying an electric bike? Whether it's a compact or cargo bike, you've probably already looked into its battery life . The battery is one of the key components of an electric bike. It stores the electrical energy needed to power your bike. Without it, the motor is no longer powered and can't operate. Want to know what determines the battery life of an electric bike ? How can you optimize your battery consumption ? We've got a complete guide on the subject!

The 6 factors that determine battery life

The number of kilometers you can travel with your electric bike depends on the capacity of your battery, but that's not all! Other factors play an important role in the range of your electric bike.

1 - Battery capacity

630 Wh battery of our electric bike Le Formidable

A battery's range is a function of its power (expressed in volts = V) and its range capacity (expressed in watts/hours = Wh). The higher these values, the better your e-bike will perform over time. You can also afford to recharge your battery less frequently.

To give you an idea, battery capacity ranges from 160 Wh to over 800 Wh for the latest generation models. If we translate this data into the number of kilometers traveled, we get roughly these results:

• battery with a capacity of 350 Wh: 35 - 70 km;
• 400 Wh capacity: 40 - 80 km;
• 500 Wh capacity: 50 - 100 km;
• 750 Wh capacity: 75 - 150 km;
• 1000 Wh capacity: 100 - 200 km.

Please note, however, that these figures are purely indicative. The actual range of your electric bike depends on other, more random factors.

2 - The assistance mode used

Monitor of our electric cargo bike, the Formidable

Depending on the electric bike model, there are three to four levels of assistance (or even more on some e-bikes). You control this level of assistance using the LED or LCD display attached to your handlebars.

Depending on the route you take, you can request more or less assistance. In practice, it looks something like this:

• 0% traditional: you pedal using only the power of your legs (be careful, an electric bike is heavier, which makes it difficult to ride).
• 30% economical: you benefit from a slight assistance when pedaling. This level of assistance is suitable for flat terrain.
• 50% Intermediate: This provides a higher level of assistance. It's perfect for driving on slightly hilly terrain or carrying heavy loads.
• 100% turbo: You don't need to exert any effort to pedal. Ideal for hills, this assistance mode reduces the range of your electric bike.

💡 Good to know: In addition to the traditional manual gearbox, some bike models also have an automatic gearbox. The level of assistance then continuously adapts according to the intensity of pedaling and the road's bumps.

3 - The route and the ground covering

Do you live in the mountains and travel across hilly terrain every day to get to work? Do you live in the city and your route is flat and paved? Depending on the environment in which you travel and the paths or roads you travel on, the range of your electric bike will vary.

Indeed, for the same power, a battery consumes much more energy on a path or uphill than on smooth, tarmacked terrain. Similarly, a journey involving many stops and starts will consume more energy than a straight line without stops.

Before buying an electric bike or cargo bike, we recommend that you find out about its battery power and range . This will help you avoid any unpleasant surprises!

💡 Good to know: in addition to the range, remember to check the torque and motor power of the electric bike . The hillier your environment, the more powerful an e-bike with a long range you will need.

4 - The weight transported

Just like the route taken, the payload carried also plays a role in the range of your electric bike . The heavier the load you carry on your electric bike, the more your battery's range will be reduced.

As a result, a cargo bike or a longtail bike naturally consumes more energy than a conventional bicycle. Most of the time, however, they have a more powerful battery and a longer range. Be sure to do your research before purchasing!

5 - The inflation and quality of your tires

A car with underinflated tires consumes more fuel. It's the same for an e-bike: if your tire pressure isn't high enough, you'll consume more energy and reduce your electric bike's range . To avoid this, remember to check your tire pressure regularly.

Likewise, it is essential to consider the type of tires. Factors such as the structure, section, size, rubber or wear of the tires can also have an impact on the autonomy of an electric bike .

6 - Climatic conditions

This factor is little known, but the weather can indeed affect your battery's autonomy . If the outside temperature is very high or, conversely, very low, it needs more energy to operate.

Similarly, strong winds also impact the number of kilometers you can travel. Riding into the wind will tend to use a higher (and therefore more energy-intensive) level of assistance.

Certain factors, such as the weather, affect the battery life of your electric bike . These are completely beyond your control. However, if you want to improve your battery life, there are a few simple tips to follow.

Optimizing the autonomy of an electric bike

Enjoy the great autonomy of the Formidable, our super-powerful cargo and longtail bike!

Before talking about optimization, we strongly recommend choosing an electric bike that's suited to your intended use. The primary goal of this type of bike is to make your daily commute easier, not more tiring!

➡️ Let's take the example of the cargo bike. When choosing this type of cycle, you should be aware that it consumes more energy. And this is for a simple reason: the payload carried is greater. To overcome this disadvantage, opt for an electrically assisted cargo bike with a powerful battery. This is the case with the Formidable, our cargo and longtail bike . Its 630 Wh battery allows you to travel up to 80 km.

Now that you have found the e-bike that best suits your use and needs, here are some tips to optimize its autonomy:

• Avoid the highest assistance mode as much as possible. Since it's very energy-intensive, using it frequently will reduce your e-bike's range.
• Adopt a smooth driving style. Two good practices to remember: slow down gradually before stopping and don't accelerate suddenly.
• When you are not using your e-bike (when you go on holiday for example), keep your charged battery in a dry place (between 20 and 25 degrees).

💡 Good to know: Many models now have their own app. Each one has a number of features. Battery optimization assistance is one of them. So, from your phone or the screen on your handlebars, you can:

• customize the assistance level to extend battery life;
• check the battery level;
• check the number of kilometers remaining;
• etc.

Maximize your overall battery life

The lifespan of an electric bike battery is calculated based on the number of charge cycles. This depends on the type of battery your bike has. If it's lithium-ion, you can recharge your battery approximately 300 to 500 times.

More generally, to maximize its overall lifespan, consider these good practices:

• When you purchase your electric bike, carry out a complete charge and discharge cycle on your battery.
• Charge it frequently even if you rarely use your e-bike (a maximum of 60 days between charges is recommended).
• Once your battery is charged, unplug it as soon as possible . It is not recommended to leave it plugged in overnight.

Finally, be aware that at the end of its life, your battery can be reconditioned . Compared to buying a new battery, this is an economical and more environmentally friendly solution.

You now know the elements that determine the autonomy of your electric bike . You also know how to optimize the charging time of your battery. With all this data in mind, you can choose your battery in complete autonomy (no pun intended!). Also keep in mind that this choice must be determined by the use you will make of your electric bike . Hilly route, frequency and length of your trips, climatic conditions in your region, payload carried, etc.: each cyclist has their own needs! 🚲