How long do e-bike batteries last?

Take care of your e-bike battery and it will last longer than you think.

Like any Lithium-ion battery, your e-bike battery will degrade over time, but that shouldn't stop you from enjoying it for years.

Nowadays, everything works with a battery that we have to recharge, from telephones to electric cars and electric bicycles. If you're about to buy your first e-bike, you probably have a lot of questions. If you're wondering, "how long do e-bike batteries last?" the answer is a bit complicated.

Like your phone or an electric vehicle, most e-bikes have a lithium-ion battery that helps turn the wheels, so you don't have to pedal as much. Lithium-ion batteries are ideal for an e-bike, instead of a lead-acid battery, because they are lightweight, provide plenty of power for increased range, and have good longevity.

As a result, this li-ion battery should last for several years or more. However, the manufacturer, quality and other factors will affect its service life. Here's what you need to know.

Battery life and degradation

Before discussing potential lifespan, it is important to remember that all batteries will degrade over time. Lithium-ion batteries have a charge life cycle, and after recharging the battery hundreds of times, it will begin to degrade and hold less of a charge.

According to most online sources, Li-ion batteries are good for anywhere between 300 and 1200 charge cycles. On an e-bike, when you charge it to 100% and do a few rides to the grocery store or on a dirt road until the battery runs out and then recharge it, that counts as one charging cycle.

Over time, these charging cycles degrade the battery and its total capacity decreases. We all know this process, just like a three or four year old smartphone doesn't hold a charge as long as the day you bought it.

This does not mean that your e-bike will stop working. Eventually it will degrade and not hold a full charge. Instead of getting 50 miles per charge, it'll be closer to 40 miles, or around 80% capacity.

How long does an e-bike battery last?

So how long do e-bike batteries last? Unfortunately, this is a difficult question to answer. Based on the above information on battery degradation and charge cycles, your e-bike battery should last at least 300 to over 500 charge cycles. And given that you probably don't charge it every day, you can expect years of enjoyment from the bike.

A reasonable rough estimate is that your e-bike battery should be healthy for 3-5 years or more. Even after charging it once a week for six years, that's barely over 300 charge cycles. And given that many high-end batteries can handle up to 1+ charge cycles, we're far from the limit. By then, you'll probably already have your eye on a new bike.

But again, this does not mean that the battery will stop working and prevent you from using your e-bike. This simply means that the battery may no longer charge to 100%, which could decrease performance and battery life.

The battery life of your e-bike will depend on many different factors. Some of these include battery type, manufacturer quality, how well an owner maintains good charging and storage habits, not to mention the temperature of where it is stored. But more on that below.

How to Make an Electric Bike Battery Last Longer

If you use and charge your e-bike daily, the battery will degrade faster than an occasional cyclist. Then you'll also want to consider charging habits, temperature, storage location, and other things to extend the life of your bike.

Again using a smartphone as an example, you will notice that the battery drains if you leave your phone in a hot car during the summer or in a cold vehicle during the winter. Lithium-ion battery cells like to stay in the same temperature range as humans. Storing your e-bike in a hot or cold garage will affect battery charging and life.

You will also want to be aware of battery level and undercharging. You should not leave a battery almost empty for long periods of time, such as if you do not use it during the winter. Instead, charge the battery to 80% and store it inside your home.

The same can be said for overcharging, and one of the easiest ways to reduce the life of an e-bike battery is to leave it on the charger too long (overnight) every time you charge it. It's important to stick to the manufacturer's recommended charging time to ensure it lasts as long as possible.

So to recap, charge your e-bike battery regularly and store it indoors if possible, especially when not in use. Use only the recommended charger that comes with it. And while your bike probably has a smart charger, we recommend unplugging it once it reaches 100%. Be aware of charging, overcharging and storing to make it last longer.

Replacing an electric bike battery

E-bikes can be expensive, and many users wonder, "can I replace an e-bike battery?" Again, it all depends on the style and the manufacturer. E-bikes from popular brands including Super73, Rad Power Bikes, Velotric, Trek, Specialized and many more all have removable batteries.

If your e-bike has a removable (or user-accessible) battery, you can probably replace it. However, just because it's removable doesn't mean you'll be able to find or afford a replacement battery. Some manufacturers do not offer replacements, which makes the situation a little uncertain.

For example, Super73 offers replacement batteries for its RX e-bike, but they cost $1 and are often out of stock. Luckily, replacement batteries for my Velotric Nomad 000 fat tire e-bike are only $1.

Buying an electric bike with an internal battery makes things more complicated. And what if the brand no longer exists in 5-6 years? Sure, you can get a third-party battery and hook it up to your bike, but the average owner doesn't want to mess with all that. Just be aware that for many e-bikes you can technically replace the battery, but don't count on that going forward.

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In conclusion, the battery of your electric bike should easily last between 3 and 5 years, or even more. And that's being careful. It's worth looking for brands with a good warranty, not to mention taking the steps mentioned above to keep the battery healthy for as long as possible.

On the positive side, e-bikes are still relatively new and battery technology is rapidly changing thanks to electric vehicles. In the future we may see smaller batteries with better performance and longer life or even solid state batteries at some point.

Electric bikes are an absolute pleasure to ride, so don't let the battery keep you from trying one.