A Discussion About Batteries for Electric Bicycles with Factors to Increase the Lifespan of a Battery

23 Jun, 2022

By hqt

A Discussion About Batteries for Electric Bicycles with Factors to Increase the Lifespan of a Battery

Electric Bicycle:


A kind of powered bicycle known as an electric bike has a built-in electric motor that provides the user with additional assistance while pedaling. Various electric bicycles are accessible in every region of the world. They split down into two broad groups: Bicycles that give the rider a pedaling help and the one that has a throttle.

When someone hears an electric bicycle, the first image they imagine may be a scooter or electric motorcycle - but they look pretty different. Take a cycle, then add several electrical components like a motor, a battery, and a controller. The design incorporates all of them. All-electric bikes have these components as their foundation.

Types of E-Bikes:

Depending on the location of the motor, e-bikes have two main types:

  • "Pedal Assist" is a specific category of electric bicycles which requires the user to pedal to turn on the motor.
  • "Throttle Only" is an electric bicycle having no additional method of operating the motor other than the throttle itself.

How electric bikes are supposed to work:

Electric bikes have batteries that help them to perform well. Batteries for electric bicycles are available in different types. On the other hand, standard bicycle features, including pedaling and steering, are included in electric bicycles as well. E-bikes have the same majority components as traditional bicycles. The electric part supplements the power of humans rather than completely replacing it. It makes challenges such as hills and headwinds easier to tackle. And it enables you to go longer without becoming as exhausted.

How to choose the best electric bicycle:

The motor:

The power ratings of electric bike motors range from 200W to 1,000W or even more. There is a legal maximum of 750W in the United States, although each state can establish its limit.

Think of it as a horsepower limit. More power implies more battery use, but it also means the bike will be able to carry more weight with less effort—but at a cost. The battery will be depleted considerably more quickly by a 750W motor than a 250W motor, although the latter is more powerful.

The battery:

There are several factors to consider when choosing a battery for electric bicycles. Electric bikes rely heavily on batteries.

Types of Batteries:

There are two main types of batteries that you'll discover for sale on the market:

Sealed Lead Acid (SLA):

Most electric scooters and electric bicycles used to use these batteries as standard. Most electric scooters still use SLA batteries these days, while electric bikes (which sometimes need human input) have chosen newer battery technologies to make bikes as light as possible.

Advantages:

  • Lower cost of acquisition.
  • No part replacement


Lithium (Ion/Polymer/Manganese/Etc.):

These batteries represent the most recent advancement in battery technology. The lifespan of an SLA battery is about two to three times longer than that of a lithium battery. The lithium-ion kind of battery is much more lightweight, in addition to being almost maintenance-free.

Advantages:

  • Lithium-polymer batteries with a high capacity and 36V10Ah may weigh as low as 6 pounds.
  • Provide a range for riding; with the pedal-assist turned on, the battery may last up to 40 miles (or 20 miles on throttle-only).
  • The longer life span of about 800 charges or three years of virtually daily use.

What is the best E-bike battery?

When it comes to giving an answer or reaction, this is one of the more difficult questions. What may be the best option for you may not be the best option for me since there are so many elements that define batteries for electric bicycles. If it isn't cared for and maintained, even a high-quality battery has the potential to fail.


Single battery components are collectively known as "cells" in the battery manufacturing industry. Cells that are both cylindrical and prismatic are utterly usual. AA and AAA batteries include both types (like the one in your phone). It is possible to employ alternative battery form factors throughout the manufacturing process.

In many cases, an e-bike battery pack will have 18650 different kinds of cells.

Cell Manufacturers:

It's worth it to utilize more money on Panasonic, LG, and Samsung batteries because of their solid reputations in the battery market for producing high-quality cells. It's unlikely that the e-bike you have to purchase has or provides cell manufacturer information.

Cell Chemistry:

There are no better batteries for electric bicycles than Lithium-ion (li-Ion). However, lead-acid batteries, which are three times heavier than their Li-ion counterparts, are substantially less expensive. A variety of cell chemistry options are available for the lithium-ion battery. The three most common batteries are NMC, LCO, and LI-FePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) (LFP). When deciding on cell chemistry, consider the following factors:

  • You can tell how far your battery can go based on its "specific energy."
  • Power Specification: the battery's ability to bear high loads, such as those associated with an ascent or descent.
  • Slope.
  • Is there a history of chemical failures on the work?

There are trade-offs to be made when selecting one kind of chemistry over another, but as shown in the graphic below, NMC and LFP are alternatives that give value in terms of performance, price, and safety.

Range of E-bike battery:

The batteries for electric bicycles have different ranges. The quantity of energy in a battery pack, measured in watt-hours, and the distance it can provide is directly proportional to that number (WH). It can find out using the following formula:

Amp-Hours (Ah) x Voltage (V) = Watt-Hours (WH)

Factors that affect the lifetime of a battery:

  • Temperature conditions in the surroundings during charging and draining of the battery
  • Charging refers to how quickly or slowly a battery is recharged.
  • Charging voltage: the voltage at which the battery is charging.
  • DOD stands for "depth of discharge," which refers to the voltage at which the battery has drained.

Conclusion:

Electric Bikes are essential because they reduce the strain on joints by providing a more comfortable ride. You can also ride with more power and accuracy. The batteries for electric bicycles are now available all across the market. Contact J&Y. They will help you with the best quality batteries.