Along with the motor, the battery is the most important component of an electric bike . It alone largely determines the performance of your two-wheeler. Not sure which battery to choose for your electric bike? Want to know what important checkpoints to verify before purchasing? Which battery is right for you? We'll explain everything in detail!
The different battery technologies
5 important criteria for choosing the battery for your electric bike
Which battery for your electric bike: different needs for each use!
The different battery technologies
Before delving into the criteria for choosing an electric bike battery, here's a quick overview of the three most commonly used battery technologies:
- the lithium-ion battery;
- the lead battery;
- the Ni-Mh battery.
Lithium-ion battery
The battery of our cargotail Le Formidable with a capacity of 630 Wh
On the electric bike market, the lithium-ion battery is currently the majority . It must be said that its advantages are undeniable:
- It is light.
- It can store more energy in a smaller space.
- It has a high storage capacity.
- It is durable over time.
💡 Good to know: Have you ever heard of explosions or fires caused by lithium-ion batteries? These incidents, specific to this battery technology, are due to thermal runaway.
In this sense, industry standards for battery safety are very strict. To limit these risks of overheating, some manufacturers now equip their batteries with an electronic card called BMS (Battery Management System) . This component allows, among other things, to control the temperature of a battery. In any case, when purchasing your battery, we recommend that you turn to a recognized brand on the market.
Lead acid battery
Lead-acid batteries became widespread in the early 2000s. Heavy and bulky , they were gradually abandoned by manufacturers. However, they remain less expensive than lithium-ion batteries. They can still be found on some entry-level electric bikes.
Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride) battery
The Ni-MH battery became widespread in the 1990s. It is lighter and more durable than a lead-acid battery, but it is still less efficient than a lithium-ion battery . To this day, this technology is almost no longer used by manufacturers.
5 important criteria for choosing the battery for your electric bike
Beyond the technology used in its manufacture, a battery's performance can also be measured in more practical ways. Evaluating these five criteria before your purchase will help you gain clarity.
1 - The power of an electric bike battery: 24V, 36V or 48V?
To assess the power of a battery, you can refer to the voltage. This is expressed in Volts (V). Most electric bikes have a 24V, 36V, or 48V battery. The higher this voltage, the more power the battery transmits to the motor .
2 - The theoretical battery life
The theoretical autonomy of a battery depends on its power, but also on its capacity . This is expressed in ampere/hour (Ah). The higher it is, the greater the theoretical autonomy of the battery will increase.
If you look at the technical specifications of an electric bike, you will see that the battery capacity is expressed in watt-hours (Wh) . This data is obtained by multiplying the voltage in V by the capacity in Ah.
To take an example, Galian's cargotail has a 630 Wh battery which guarantees a theoretical autonomy of 80 km.
On most electric bikes built today, you can check the remaining range in real time on the integrated monitor. This data allows you to better manage your assistance mode on a daily basis.
💡 Did you know: why do we talk about theoretical autonomy? Quite simply because capacity is not the only factor that determines the autonomy of your electric bike . The assistance mode you use, the terrain of your route and the weight you are carrying also come into play.
3 - The durability of an e-bike battery
When we talk about battery durability, we are talking about the maximum number of charge cycles.
This lifespan depends mainly on the quality of the components . Lithium-ion batteries are the most efficient. The average number of recharges for this battery technology is 600 times.
Please note, however, that over time, your battery's range capacity gradually decreases. A new battery with a theoretical range of 80 km will therefore be less efficient after a few years of use.
💡 Want to maximize your battery life? Here are some best practices to know:
- Before use, charge your battery to its full capacity. Afterwards, it is not necessarily necessary to fully recharge it (manufacturers recommend an average charge of 30 to 70%).
- A battery is sensitive to extreme temperatures. If it's below 5 degrees or above 30 degrees, keep it indoors.
- Use the charger provided by the manufacturer as a priority.
- If you are not using your bike, remove the battery and store it at home in a room at room temperature.
- If it is not used for a long time, make sure to charge it regularly (every 1 to 2 months).
4 - Battery recharge time
The charging time of a battery is largely determined by its energy capacity. Therefore, the greater the autonomy capacity, the longer the charging time (up to 8 hours for a full charge).
To overcome this constraint, some manufacturers offer several models of chargers with charging currents of 2 amperes (A), 4 A, or 6 A.
5 - The weight of the battery
As we mentioned earlier, some battery technologies, such as lead-acid batteries, are heavy. On early electric bike models, these could weigh around 10 kg! Rest assured, lithium-ion batteries, the majority on the market, are significantly lighter. On average, they weigh between 2 and 5 kg, including the case .
At first glance, weight is therefore not an obstacle, unless you have to transport your battery frequently.
Which battery for your electric bike: different needs for each use!
As you are aware, the choice of a battery for your electric bike is linked to the use you are going to make of it . Depending on the model of bike you have and the nature of your journeys, you will not necessarily need the most efficient battery on the market!
Daily flat and urban journeys
In cities, more and more of you are hopping on your bike for your daily commute. In most cases, the journeys are short (less than 5 km) and relatively flat. Opt for a battery:
- Lightweight: If you park your electric bike on the street and want to carry it with you, choose a battery that fits easily in a bag.
- durable: because you use it almost every day, choose a quality battery to keep it as long as possible
Hilly or heavy load journeys
With its 630 Wh battery, the Formidable is no stranger to hills!
Before the advent of the electric bike, riding two wheels on hilly terrain or carrying heavy loads was reserved for the most athletic among us. Now, this brake is no longer even an issue.
If your journey involves several hills or if you are riding a cargo bike with your children , simplify your riding and opt for a battery:
- Autonomous: When used on hills, a battery uses more energy and loses autonomy. The same applies if you are transporting your children on board. In this case, choose a battery of 500 Wh or more.
- powerful: we recommend a 48 V battery coupled with a motor with a torque power of at least 85 nm.
💡 Also read: Torque and motor power of an electric bike: what you need to know
Long daily commutes
Do you commute long distances to work almost every day? Whether you own a road bike, a hybrid bike, a gravel bike, or a cargo bike, you need a battery that is:
- autonomous: to go the distance, choose at least a 500 Wh battery (which is equivalent to 60-80 km of theoretical autonomy).
- durable: because you use your electric bike daily, choose a battery model from a recognized brand on the market.
Sporty bike rides
Are you a fan of cycle touring, mountain biking, or gravel riding? Depending on the terrain you cover, choose a battery:
- Autonomous: Are you planning long-distance trips? To avoid running out of battery power halfway through your journey, choose a battery with a minimum capacity of 600 Wh (a theoretical range of over 80 km).
- powerful: especially valid for mountain biking and gravel riding, the power criterion is essential to take into account. The greater the autonomy capacity of your e-bike or electric mountain bike, the greater its power will be.
Once you're well equipped, nothing will stop you! 🚲
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