eBike Battery Repair

Dorian Smith-Garcia Profile image

Written by:

Updated March 8, 2023

Key Takeaways:

  • User error is often the main cause of most electric bike battery damage.
  • While replacements can be DIY solutions, repairs should be left to experienced technicians.
  • Always check your user manual for the correct battery specifications when buying a replacement.

The best electric bikes can be fantastic ways to get around town. And best of all, they’re relatively environmentally friendly thanks to the fact that gasoline isn’t required to power them. But if your bike starts acting funky, there’s a good chance that the battery might be to blame.

To get your e-bike battery up and running again, you’ll need to purchase battery cells that are the same size and shape as the original battery. With battery cells designed specifically for electric bikes, you can be sure that your battery will provide plenty of power for your daily commute.

Learn how to identify what might be causing your battery issues, and the proper way to replace a defective battery. Alternatively, if you like to do DIY projects, you can learn how to make a battery for electric bikes, so you can have a custom-sized battery. Knowing the number of charge cycles your replacement battery can handle is essential to understanding its expected battery life. This information will help you make an informed decision on the right replacement battery for your needs.

Start By Identifying the Cause of Battery Issues

It’s always better to perform routine maintenance rather than wait for your bike to break down. But sometimes, even if you regularly service your electric bike battery, there’s always a risk of an unexpected issue arising. These potential problems are definitely a negative mark on the electric bike pros and cons list, but it’s important to understand what you are getting from a bike before making a decision.

To ensure battery health, battery management, and battery diagnosis should be regularly implemented to detect any abnormalities early on. In addition to battery maintenance and battery diagnostics, it’s also important to understand the type of battery used in your electric bike since different battery types can have an impact on performance and lifespan.

And while maintenance may be a negative, it is also essential and can help prolong the life of your ebike. With that said, the first step is determining what’s causing your battery problems, as the below four scenarios are most likely.

Insider Tip

  • It’s always better to perform routine maintenance rather than waiting for your bike to break down.
  • Ideally, look for a battery that was produced no more than six months ago.
  • It’s best to buy a battery from an authorized retailer so that you have access to a warranty for peace of mind.

Overheating

Note that most electric bikes run on a lithium-ion battery. While these batteries are ideal because they can hold charges for longer and are relatively lightweight, one of their biggest downfalls is that this type of battery is prone to overheating. While occasional overheating won’t damage the battery, if this scenario persists, it will impact battery performance over time.

If you want to learn more about strong batteries, read our guide to how fast does a 1000w electric bike go.

Overcharging or High-voltage

Overcharging is an easy mistake to make and happens when you leave a battery plugged into the charging port well after it’s reached full charge. When this happens, consistently, the battery will eventually lose its ability to hold a charge. To prevent this, check out how to tell if an electric bike battery is fully charged. This can help ensure you remove the power source when the battery is done charging to not overcharge.

When worn cells and dead cells accumulate, the battery can become damaged beyond repair. This is why it’s important to be aware of any signs that your electric bike battery needs maintenance or replacement.

Warning

  • Overcharging is an easy mistake to make and happens when you leave a battery plugged into the charging port well after it’s reached full charge.
  • If a repair will correct the issue, it’s best to let a technician handle it, as battery issues can be difficult to repair if you’re not experienced.

Related Posts:

Deep Discharge

Deep discharge simply means that you’re consistently riding your bike until the battery is nearly empty. For lithium-ion batteries, when the capacity is consistently drained to the point of being five to 10% charged, this can cause the battery to malfunction.

High Discharge or Charge Current

High discharge or charge current simply means that you’re discharging large amounts of battery capacity over very short periods. This issue is commonly seen when people want to increase the bike’s acceleration. When done occasionally, it won’t impact battery performance. However, if you’re frequently engaging in high discharge, you will shorten your battery’s lifespan.

Replacing a Damaged or Defective Battery

If you’ve identified the cause of your battery issues and realized that you won’t be able to fix it by correcting user behaviors, it’s time to accept that you either need to repair or replace your battery. If a repair will correct the issue, it’s best to let a technician handle it as battery issues can be difficult to repair if you’re not experienced. Thankfully, replacing a battery is an easy task that won’t require more than a few standard tools.

Selecting a Battery

First, you need a new battery. Ideally, look for a battery that was produced no more than six months ago. These batteries are considered new and are less likely to experience issues when you’re using them. Remember, it’s best to buy a battery from an authorized retailer so that you have access to a warranty for peace of mind.

Battery Specs

It’s usually best to pick a battery from the same brand that’s currently powering your electric bike. However, always check your owner’s manual for the full specifications to ensure that you’re picking a battery that’s compatible with your bike.

Also, consider the design and style, as some batteries are easier to replace and install than others. Usually, generic batteries that are designed to be mounted to your bike’s frame are the easiest ones to replace.

The Replacement Process

Note that the individual replacement process can vary as bike brands can have unique requirements. But in general, your experience will usually follow the below steps:

  1. Unlock the battery kit by using a key or unscrewing the bolts attached to the battery compartment.
  2. Unplug any wires that are connected to your battery.
  3. Remove any clamps that might be holding the battery in place.
  4. While holding the battery to give it support, remove it from your bike.
  5. Install the new battery and secure it with the bolts (or clamps).
  6. Once everything is securely in place, reconnect all the wires, and close the battery kit

STATS:

  • In most cases, electric cell damage occurs due to 4 main factors: overheating; overcharging/high-voltage; deep discharge; and high discharge/charge current. (Affordable Electric Bikes)
  • Typically a new high-quality electric bike battery will cost anywhere between $500 to $900+, depending on the brand and capacity. (eBikes HQ)

Sources:

https://www.electricbikecity.com/blogs/learn/how-to-troubleshoot-electric-bike-problems

*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHQ3iC2lbm8

https://www.liv-cycling.com/global/campaigns/how-to-remove-and-replace-a-liv-e-bike-battery/23293

Fix Electric Bike Batteries FAQ

Can electric bike batteries be repaired?

Yes, electric bike batteries can be repaired. But often it’s best to let qualified technicians do this as the process can be complex.

How much does it cost to replace an e-bike battery?

The price can vary depending on the manufacturer and capacity. But in general, the average cost ranges from $500 to $800 for a quality e-bike battery.

What is the lifespan of an electric bike battery?

Typically, with regular use, an electric bike battery can last anywhere between three to five years before you’ll begin to experience issues.
Dorian Smith-Garcia Profile image