Getting to Know a Little More About E-Bike Batteries

Here at EBUK, we believe that information is vital and that the purchase of a new E-Bike is a serious investment in both your time and money. That is why today we focus on the different types of batteries available for e-bikes and the benefits they offer.

Removable or Built-in?

When it comes to placement some e-bikes have a removable battery that sits on the frame somewhere. This option gives you an easy way to recharge your battery by simply removing it from the frame. Another option you might see in higher-quality e-bikes is a battery that is built into the frame. This can keep the centre of gravity low, improve the balance of your ride and give you an all-around better aesthetic, but of course, it is not as easy to charge.

Different Battery Types

There are two main types of batteries that are designed for e-bikes. There are lithium-ion batteries, which get most of their use in cell phones, laptops and other portable devices and the other option is sealed lead acid batteries which are similar to the type of battery that you would find under the hood of your car.

Sealed Lead Acid

A Sealed Lead Acid battery is much less expensive to manufacture and are usually found in electric bikes that have a cheaper price tag. These batteries are heavier and more dangerous due to the lead that is contained within the sealed cells. The Sealed Lead Acid batteries can be compared to a car battery and require similar safety precautions when handling. An electric bike does not have a confined space to house the battery so it becomes more dangerous to handle. In fact, you would probably struggle to find an e-bike for sale with one of these types of batteries, but they are out there and often look like this retro bike above.

Lithium-ion

Lithium-ion batteries are lighter in weight, have a longer lifespan, are safer to manufacture and charge faster than any other battery on the market. Most high-quality electric bikes come standard with Lithium-ion batteries because of all the benefits described. Although Lithium-ion batteries have a higher price tag, the price of manufacturing has decreased significantly over the past decade. To be honest, most e-bikes for sales these days have this sort of battery.

Volts

Voltage rating reflects how powerful the battery is based on the rush of electricity that is sent to the motor. The higher the volts… the quicker the acceleration. Entry-level e-bikes will have a 24V battery, but many people will not feel that is not enough acceleration and will require more. A 36V battery is a typical requirement to get proper acceleration on an electric bike. For those who need the extra acceleration to get through hilly terrain or off-road trails, you will want the more powerful 48V battery on your electric bike. For most day-to-day activities a 36V battery will serve your purposes just fine.

Amp-Hours

While an increase in Voltage will give you better acceleration, an increase in Amp-Hours (AH) will increase the range that your electric bike will have. Think of your AH as your gas tank, the higher the AH is the longer you can ride. The amp-hours indicate how many amps are used per hour of use. Often, you will see 8AH, 10AH, and 12AH batteries as standard, but each manufacturer is different and could even give you a decimal percentage AH similar to 10.4AH. Average riders are looking to use their E-Bikes in a range of 30-40 miles which would need a 10AH battery (slightly higher if the terrain is hilly).

With these nuggets of information, you should now have an idea of each of the most common e-bike battery types so you can make the best decision on which one suits your personal needs.