When scooters were first introduced to the market, their batteries were weak and slow. Electric scooters are no longer a kid’s toy, though; they are currently among the last-mile travel options with the quickest rate of growth. A much stronger battery is needed for modern new electric vehicles so they can carry you wherever you need to go. However, not all electric bike batteries are made equal.
Their sizes, capacities, and outputs are all different. Your electric scooter’s performance and dependability are dependent on the type of battery it uses. It supplies electricity to the controller, display, lights, and motor. It even sets the range and speed.
So, how can you determine which one you require?
We’ll teach you all you need to know about electric bike batteries in this in-depth guide, including the many available battery types, their characteristics, and how to keep them operating efficiently.
Electric Bike Batteries: Terminology
Voltage
Voltage is defined as the differential electric potential between two places. As an electron exits the box, it possesses a distinct energy level. Voltage is a unit of measurement for the speed at which electrons move. An E-bike battery typically has a voltage of 36 to 48 volts.
Capacity
The quantity of charge that a battery is capable of holding is referred to as its “battery capacity.” It is the maximum amount of energy that, under specific conditions, can be extracted from a battery; it is measured in watt-hours (Wh) or, for a more complicated measurement, kilowatt-hours or ampere-hours (Ah) (Ahr).
The real indicator of a battery’s capacity is the total number of electrons it can produce. The Ah value of your battery has an impact on your electric bike’s torque and range. The typical E-bike battery has a capacity of 8 to 15 Ah.
Energy
The unit of measurement for the total energy in a battery is watt-hours (Wh). Watt-hours express the overall amount of energy derived from all of the electrons, as opposed to voltage, which indicates the amount of energy that each electron produces. Watt-hours, a unit of measurement for batteries, is the total amount of usable energy that may be drawn from the battery as a whole.
The Watt-hours of energy can be calculated by simply multiplying the battery’s voltage [V] by its capacity [Ah]. A 36-volt, 10-amp-hour battery may provide 360 watt-hours of energy in total. You can double this battery’s capacity (36V 20Ah) or voltage (72V 10Ah) to extract twice as much energy (720 Wh), or you can go in the center of the two.
Now is the time for some final observations on eBike batteries. You will frequently see this stated as a decimal value when it is quoted in kilo-watt-hours [kWh], which is just the usual Wh output divided by 1,000 (720 Wh = 0.72 kWh).
Some people call the watt-hours of a battery its “capacity.” This isn’t quite true in the way that matters. Perhaps “electric storage capacity” would be a better term. As previously mentioned, amp-hours are frequently referred to as “capacity.”
Battery Cell
The smallest unit in electric bike batteries is a cell, which is formed of the following four parts: anode, cathode, electrolyte, and separator. The characteristics of a battery cell have a major impact on how well electric automobiles perform.
Battery Pack
To supply the energy required by your eBike system, a pack of batteries is made up of several smaller batteries that have been thoughtfully arranged.
There are two sorts of cells, just like your AA and AAA batteries: colorful (like the one in your phone) and cylindrical (like the AA and AAA batteries). The most common type of cell used in electric bike battery packs is 18650.
Battery Monitoring System, Or BMS
Lithium batteries are durable and lightweight, but you have to use them within their limits. A BMS (Battery Monitoring System) is required if you want your battery pack to live as long as possible. It monitors all of the cell voltages and, most of the time, the current passing through them, serving as a buffer between the battery and the power lines. If any limitations are broken, the BMS should take action by safely cutting off the power. If you ride, the BMS should ideally do nothing more than shut you down to protect the battery’s cells and use up all of its energy.
Buying Guide For E-Bike Batteries: What To Look For?
Battery Cost/Price
We’ve discovered that price and quality are closely related when it comes to batteries. If quality is ultimately going to be compromised, you will ultimately have to spend more money.
Specifications (Provided By The Maker)
In the electric bike batteries industry, investing in high-quality cells from Panasonic, LG, and Samsung at a premium is profitable. Avoid purchasing an e-bike from a seller who does not possess or provide information on the cell maker just to be safe.
Chemistry Of Cells
Lithium-ion batteries are the finest for electric motorcycles. Nonetheless, lead-acid batteries are significantly less expensive despite being three times heavier than Li-ion batteries.
Li-ion provides a selection of cell chemistries. The three most popular batteries for electric motorcycles are LI-FePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate), LCO, and NMC (Nickel Metal Oxide). (LFP).
Size, Weight And Shape
Take into account these three considerations before selecting a pack. You won’t be able to enjoy it on your bike if it is too heavy or doesn’t fit. You’ll likely be let down if you’re searching for a pack that includes everything you could need.
Many eBikers make the mistake of desiring an enormous battery so they can avoid carrying it or placing it on a bike rack or a flight of stairs. Until you need to tie it to your bike, this is OK.
As we’ve found, the secret to an ideal arrangement is to identify the smallest and lightest battery pack that can accomplish the task. Even on the longest of travels, carrying a pack that is twice as full of energy as you need could prove to be counterproductive.
Position Of The Battery
Installing a battery pack on an e-bike could be challenging. Due to the abundance of possibilities, some packs were mounted between the wheels for the best weight distribution and rider comfort. In contrast, others were mounted on saddlebags or a rear rack for convenience but potential handling issues. Here, weight and shape are crucial variables!
We believe that Samsung, LG, or Panasonic cells using LFP or NMC chemistry will yield the best eBike batteries.
Read More: RTO Rules For Electric Scooter and Bikes in India
Types Of Batteries For E-Bikes
Consider the following options:
Lead (Gel) Batteries
A dead electric bike battery can take eight to ten hours to charge fully; this time has reduced over time as more people have learned about the risks associated with lead batteries. Because lead batteries are made with high-quality materials, they also have reduced manufacturing costs and capacities.
Lithium-Ion Batteries, Or Li-Ion Batteries
Electric motorcycles manufactured recently or in the near future will use lithium-ion batteries, which are currently the most widely available type. Because of this, lithium-ion batteries offer the highest energy density and range of any battery on the market, making them the lightest and longest-lasting.
LIFEPO4
Because of its wide temperature operating range, lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) can be used in a wide range of applications and climates. Using this kind of battery has many benefits, including a longer lifespan, improved charging efficiency, no maintenance requirements, and quick charging.
Their long lifespan makes them great long-term investments, even though they are relatively new to the market.
Battery Range For E-Bikes
The amount of energy contained in a battery pack determines its range, and this energy is given in Watt-Hours (Wh). To calculate watt-hours, multiply the battery voltage in volts by the battery capacity in amp-hours. Assume that a mile requires 30 Wh of energy on average. A 10AH, 36V battery will get you 12 miles between charges.
For instance, 10Ah x 36V = 360Wh, or 12 miles of driving, can be calculated.
Take 15% from the manufacturer’s suggested range and use the resulting inflated amount as your true range to get a more precise estimate.
E-Bike Batteries Lifespan
The majority of electric bike batteries require replacement after three to five years of use. Conversely, because batteries are always being charged, they deteriorate over time. The electric bike batteries will need to be recharged more regularly as you use it more frequently. We refer to this procedure as a charge cycle. Learn more with our electric motorcycle buying guide.
A battery’s lifespan can also be impacted by a number of other factors, such as how frequently it is recharged.
- CONDITIONS OF OPERATION: Temperatures of charging and discharging
- CHARGE RATE OF YOUR BATTERY: the speed at which it charges
- VOLTAGE WHILE CHARGING: the battery’s voltage during the charging process
- DOD, OR DEPTH OF DISCHARGE: This voltage indicates the point of battery discharge.
Additionally, battery manufacturers frequently overstate the capabilities of their products, claiming that certain batteries can be recharged at least 1,000 times. Few of them, though, would show the real test results.
Ways To Increase The Battery Life Of Your Electric Scooter
Electric scooters are the finest cars for quick errands and inner-city travel because they require little to no maintenance. But just like any other motorized device, you must charge and operate yours in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Breaking these healthy behaviors can cause issues that could reduce the lifespan of your electric bike batteries. Here are some easy ways to keep your battery operating at its best for longer:
Refrain From Fully Depleting Your Electric Scooter
You should charge your scooter battery again as soon as possible, just like you would with your phone and other rechargeable electric gadgets. Make every effort to keep your e-scooter connected to the charger. Make sure the battery never drops below 10%; ideally, you should charge it completely before or after a ride.
Avoid Leaving Your Scooter Charged All Night
It is never advisable to leave your scooter charging all night. Cut off the charging cable as soon as it is fully charged. Make sure you understand how often and during which hours you should charge your scooter. Even after it has been fully charged, leaving your e-scooter plugged in can result in thermal runaway reactions that can harm the battery or, in the worst situation, explode.
It’s likely that your scooter battery is malfunctioning and will require replacement if you find that it takes longer to charge than the manufacturer recommended.
If You Plan To Store Your Scooter For An Extended Period, Be Sure It Is Fully Charged.
Before storing your scooter, make sure its battery is completely charged if you intend to take a break from riding it. It is preferable to charge Li-ion batteries to at least 40% before storing them in order to prevent them from discharging completely because they are prone to discharging when left unused.
In addition, make sure the battery is routinely checked and charged every thirty days. Even when your scooter is stored, charging its battery on a regular basis keeps it in better condition and extends its lifespan.
Discover The Battery Size And Range Of Your E-Scooter
Planning your journey appropriately can be aided by being aware of the parameters of your scooter, like voltage, energy capacity, and range. This guarantees that you don’t charge your battery past its recommended capacity or let it run low while you’re still driving through the city.
See the user manual for your battery; most manufacturers will publish the specs there.
This knowledge can help you develop safe riding practices that will prolong the life of your battery, such as cruising at a moderate pace or waiting for your scooter to cool down before going for another ride.
Make Sure You’re Using The Right Charger For Your Electric Scooter
It is advised that you only charge the battery of your electric scooter using the charger provided by the manufacturer. Even while there might be more reasonably priced charging cables available, they could damage more than just the battery on your scooter.
They might, for instance, overcharge or undercharge your motorized machine, resulting in permanent harm.
Get a replacement charger and charging cable from the manufacturer if the original cable that came with the package is broken. Purchasing a charger approved by the manufacturer will definitely be less expensive than purchasing new electric bike batteries.
Allow Your Scooter To Cool Down Before Attaching The Charger
Despite the fact that it’s best to keep your electric scooter charged at all times, you don’t have to plug it in right away after a lengthy ride. Your electric scooter produces a lot of heat when you ride it, which heats most of its parts, including the battery.
Similarly, when a scooter is charging, heat is also produced. After a scooter ride, if you don’t let it cool down, the heat produced during charging may become too much, causing the battery cells to explode. After riding for at least thirty minutes, let your scooter cool down before plugging it in.
Make Sure Your E-Scooter Is Stored In An Appropriate Climate
Batteries don’t react well to high temperatures, as we have stated. Excessive heat or cold can impact Li-ion battery chemistry, affecting their capacity to charge and maintain a long-term charge, much like when a car won’t start or a phone dies in the winter.
Electric scooter batteries begin to lose power and have shorter lifespans when they are exposed to harsh environments for prolonged periods. Aim to keep your scooter batteries out of the cold or over 114 degrees Fahrenheit conditions. Additionally, keep your e-scooter somewhere dry and cool.
How Will Electric Scooter Batteries Be Used in The Future?
From the first heavy, toy-like e-scooter batteries to the incredibly light, long-lasting, high-energy-density Li-ion batteries of today, we have witnessed tremendous advancements. Although it’s impossible to foresee everything regarding the future of electric scooters, one thing is for certain: battery quality will only improve.
