Most users wishing to invest in an electric bike ask themselves the question of autonomy. A legitimate concern because when using an electric bike, it is not to run out of battery and have to pedal hard to move the weight of the cycle.
Weebot answers all your questions about the autonomy of electric bikes if you hesitate in your choice to switch to electric.
Can we trust the manufacturers' announcements?
It is quite rare for cyclists who have switched to electric assistance to run out of battery on a single trip. But the goal is mainly to avoid the chore of recharging for as long as possible. The lack of autonomy is therefore justified for those who do not want to waste time charging their two-wheeler every day.
One must be cautious about the announcements on autonomy from electric bike manufacturers. This is a theoretical autonomy often calculated under favorable traffic conditions. Nevertheless, it generally gives a rough idea. The autonomy of your battery is therefore a determining criterion to make your choice between several electric bikes.
No WLTP standard like in the automotive sector
Electric bike manufacturers are not subject, like the automotive world, to a mode of calculating autonomy such as the WLTP standard. Each manufacturer can therefore be more or less optimistic about the announced autonomy of their two-wheeler.
So do not hesitate to make comparisons with other electric bike brands by studying the data provided on the battery. It is possible to optimize the consumption of the electric bike for manufacturers.
With a motor consuming less, just like the handlebar display of data, it is possible to save some battery. But generally, a battery of the same capacity will offer autonomy roughly of the same order.
A note on the battery of an electric bike
To answer the question of the autonomy of an electric bike, it is also necessary to understand how a lithium battery works. What is the battery's lifespan? How to optimize its autonomy? How to know the power delivered?
What is the capacity of a battery?
To know the order of magnitude of the range, it is very simple to perform a quick calculation with the battery data. Multiply the battery voltage by its amperage to get an idea of the range. The larger this number, the better the battery capacity expressed in Watt-Hours (Wh) will give you better autonomy.
Voltage (V) determines the delivered power, while amperage (Ah) expresses its autonomy. It is therefore the latter number that is most important when inquiring about the range of an electric bike.
For example, a 36 V 13 Ah battery (36 x 13) will give you a capacity expressed as 468 Wh. This then corresponds to the energy stored by the battery, somewhat like a gas tank for comparison with a car.
Battery charging time
Unfortunately, unlike a car, the time to refill is much longer. While plugging in your battery has a much lower charging cost than gasoline, it is sometimes very long. So this parameter must be taken into account. Generally, it is advised to recharge your battery overnight to have enough time to fill it without noticing the time passing.
Indeed, the higher the battery's capacity in autonomy, the longer the charging time will be. On the majority of electric bikes on the market, they come with a standard charger.
Often providing a current between 2A, it takes about 4 to 5 hours for a full recharge. But this number can rise to 7 or 8 hours on models with large batteries.
It is possible to divide charging time by 3 or 4 using a fast charger delivering a higher current. The downside is that they heat up more and risk degrading the battery in the long term.
What is the lifespan of an electric bike battery?
The lifespan of a battery varies between 500 and 1000 full charge cycles. This means you can charge your electric bike from 0% to 100% more than 500 times at least.
If this number of cycles seems small, it should be taken into account that an average user only recharges their battery once a week. The lifespan of a battery can therefore be maintained for at least 5 years before significantly losing autonomy.
How many kilometers of range on an electric bike?
At the same time, we invite you to consult our guide of most frequently asked questions about electric bikes to separate fact from fiction.
If an entry-level electric bike offers a range between 30 km and 40 km, it should be known that the battery quality plays a role. Manufacturers of electric bikes priced under 1000 euros generally equip their two-wheelers with a poor-quality battery.
This results in a rapid and significant degradation of its range. In just 2 or 3 years, these cheap electric bikes only have 10 km to 20 km maximum in electric assistance.
Prefer models of mid and high range equipped with lithium-ion batteries from well-known brands. They allow you to travel between 60 km, 80 km, and more than 100 km on a single charge. Enough to get through the week without charging while enjoying very long rides on the weekend even with the highest assistance level.
How is the range of the Pedelec calculated?
Manufacturers' data on your battery's range are generally calculated in eco mode, with a person weighing about 70 kg and on flat terrain. These favorable riding conditions sometimes give a range far from real conditions. Several factors affect the range.
The power of the electric motor
A powerful electric motor consumes more energy. French standards require the electric bike to have a maximum 250W motor to circulate on public roads. It is possible to find models equipped with 500W or even 1000W motors, but reserved for off-road use.
To ride it in the city, the electric bike must be equipped with a license plate, mandatory helmet wearing, as well as a specific insurance. These two-wheelers are called Speedbike or Speedélec in the eyes of the law.
The motor of the electric bike can be placed optionally in the rear wheel, on the front wheel, or in the crankset. The latter is called a central motor, which generally has a higher torque at acceleration. For example, Bosch motors, Shimano (which equip the O2Feel electric bikes), or Bafang, which are the most renowned on the market.
The assistance mode of the electric bike
By always riding in the most powerful assistance mode, your electric bike will see its consumption increase. So be sure to adjust the mode selection according to your riding. This will greatly affect the bike's range performance.
So adopt eco-driving because it is not always necessary to have maximum power. Lower the assistance level in the city where you will regularly be stopped by traffic, lights, and pedestrians.
User weight
The heavier the cyclist's weight, the more the battery range will be reduced. The same goes for your equipment. If your electric bike has a luggage rack, do not exceed the maximum load supported by the bike.
Range can be reduced by 20% if the cyclist's weight exceeds the 70 kg optimized by the manufacturer.
Range reduction in cold weather
The battery of electric bikes is made up of thermosensitive elements. Weather conditions then affect its range. The lithium battery works optimally at an outside temperature between 8° and 25°.
In case of a temperature drop, electrons lose mobility in the electrolyte. Moreover, charging time will also be longer in cold weather. It is noted that in winter or cold weather, range loss can reach up to 20 or 30%.
The playground
One factor often underestimated is the road gradient. The more the route has slopes to climb, the more it reduces the range of an electric bike.
The more rugged the routes taken, the more the electric motor of the electric bike will be stressed. Ideally, once again, you want flat terrain optimized for eco-driving. So anticipate your trips!
How to increase range on an electric bike?
In addition to eco-driving, there are little-known tips to optimize the lithium battery of your electric bike. You need to know how to balance the assistance but also remember a few tricks to gain precious kilometers on electric.
Preserve your battery's range
To gain range, you first need to avoid losing it over time. Like all batteries, these degrade over time. But it is still possible to best extend their optimal functioning.
charge at least once a month
For this, it is essential to charge an electric bike at least once a month. This way, the electrons that compose it stay healthier in the long term.
With li-ion batteries, there is no memory effect unlike lead batteries. Those lost capacity over time if recharged before reaching 0%. To optimally charge your electric bike, we recommend doing so when the battery level is between 20% and 80%.
avoid charging to 100%
The last percentages beyond 80% always take the longest to charge. Indeed, the internal system's intelligence takes time to properly "store the electrons." But this operation results in increasing the battery temperature.
To keep your battery in good condition, it is vital to avoid overheating.
avoid using the battery when it is hot
That is why it is advised not to use your electric bike immediately after charging. You need to give the battery time to cool down. The same applies when you plan to charge the battery right after a bike ride. We recommend waiting a little for it to cool down to optimize charging.
do not use fast charger
As we saw earlier, fast chargers tend to raise the battery temperature. Injecting current causes overheating which, in the long run, will reduce your range. Reserve for emergency situations only.
Properly inflating your tires
It may make you smile, but properly inflating your bike tires helps save on your battery. So check your electric bike's tire pressure from time to time. It is important to follow the instructions provided in the manual.
Additionally, properly inflated tires will help reduce the risk of punctures on your bike.
Cleaning your electric bike
As a final tip, Weebot recommends cleaning your bike's chain. Accumulated dust can eventually require more power from the motor to function properly. Invest in a chain or transmission cleaner to maintain your cycle.
It doesn't work miracles either, but every accumulated tip helps rack up extra kilometers to enjoy your electric bike even more.
