Electric Bike Charging

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Updated March 6, 2023

Key Takeaways:

  • Charging an electric bike requires plugging the charger into an available power outlet, and a complete charge should occur within three to six hours.
  • Bring a charger with you while riding, and use a power outlet located in a public space for added battery life.
  • You should avoid steep inclines and follow weight recommendations to increase battery life.

Those who are shopping for a great electric bike may be wondering about some of the specifics when it comes to how to charge their electric bike battery.

How to Charge an Electric Bike

In the simplest terms, charging an electric bike simply requires plugging the included charger into a wall power outlet. That’s it. The types of lithium battery packs that are included with electric bikes typically take anywhere from three to six hours to receive a full charge and will allow for 22 to 60 miles of use per charge.

Insider Tip

  • Gas stations, retail areas, and government buildings, among other locations, should all feature power outlets available for use
  • If you really want to make the most out of your electric bike’s integrated battery, we would recommend sticking to flat and smooth terrain
  • Try to stay under this weight allowance, and don’t forget to include items on your person​

Useful Tips for Increasing Battery Life

If you are looking to squeeze the most from a single charge out of your eBike battery, then we have assembled some useful tips and guidelines to consider. We also have more great tips on how to increase the range of your electric bike.

Bring the Charger With You

One of the easiest ways to make sure you won’t run out of battery life while out on the road is to bring the charger with you. These chargers can be plugged into any viable power outlet, with many of these outlets available in urban locations. Gas stations, retail areas, and government buildings, among other locations, should all feature power outlets available for use. Be aware of your battery life before riding to a remote or off-road location. Some campgrounds should have an outlet, however, though you should ask for permission. It’s also worth noting how far your eBike can go on one charge before heading out, so you don’t get stranded. Additionally, it should be noted that the real-life charge time of an electric bike battery can be affected by temperature,  capacity, and battery age, as well as other factors. There are also some bike options that have removable batteries, so you can carry a spare lithium-ion battery to help increase your range without having to worry about a battery charger.

Warning

  • Be aware of your battery life before riding to a remote or off-road location
  • Ascending hills and traversing over rocky ground can seriously tax the battery if you have pedal-assist or the throttle engaged
  • It should also go without saying that towing anything behind you while riding an electric bike will severely limit your battery life

Stick to Flat Terrain

If you really want to make the most out of your electric bike’s integrated battery, we would recommend sticking to flat and smooth terrain. Ascending hills and traversing over rocky ground can seriously tax the battery if you have pedal-assist modes or the throttle engaged. This can also be true when engaging the brakes during a steep decline. Of course, riding through wild areas can be unpredictable so use your best judgment. While off-road and mountain trails can be an exciting riding experience, if you are only really concerned with distance, then sticking to flat roads will be your best bet for a smooth ride.

Follow Weight Guidelines

Every electric bike features a maximum weight allowance. It is important to follow these guidelines for the overall health of the battery and to increase battery life. The maximum weight recommended for a particular eBike can range anywhere from 200 pounds to 350 pounds and more. Try to stay under this weight allowance, and don’t forget to include items on your person or rear rack if the eBike design has one. These items can include backpacks, pieces of safety equipment, and bags of groceries. It should also go without saying that towing anything behind you while riding an electric bike will severely limit your battery life. And if you happen to notice the motor making a clicking noise, it is important to diagnose and solve that issue before it turns into something serious.

Related Post: How to Check if Your Electric Bicycle is Fully Charged

STATS:

  • Most e-bike batteries sold in North America are lithium-ion, which will provide a minimum of 500 full charge cycles, at which point the battery will hold about 80% of its original capacity. (Source)

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rechargeable_battery
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0378775309020564

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

How to Charge an Electric Bike FAQ

How many charges can I get out of a battery?

Electric bike batteries, particularly lithium-ion batteries, will begin to degrade after around 500 charging cycles. After 1,200 charging cycles the battery pack may experience a complete failure.

How much electricity does it take to charge a battery?

Depending on how large the battery is, it will usually take anywhere from 500 to 800 watt-hours (0.4 - 0.8 kilowatt hours) to charge a standard electric bike battery. This translates to about five to eight cents per charge.

Do they charge while pedaling?

Some electric bike models feature technology that allows for the pedals to slightly recharge the battery. This feature can only improve the overall battery life by five to ten percent.
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