What you should know about e-bike batteries: A comprehensive guide
We present the most important factors that can affect the range of your modern e-bike battery and how you can extend the life of your battery:
The factors that affect range:
- The weather: cold weather can significantly affect the performance of the battery. In cold temperatures, it is therefore advisable to bring the battery into the warm after the ride.
- The temperature: Extreme temperatures should be avoided. The battery should not be charged or stored in either extreme heat or cold. It is best to store the battery at room temperature (18-21 degrees).
- Weight: The weight of the e-bike and its charge has a direct impact on the range. A fully loaded cargo bike will naturally have a shorter range than a lightweight e-trekking bike.
Proper storage for long life:
- Battery Storage: Battery storage depends on how long the e-bike will not be used. If the e-bike is not used for only a few days, the battery can be fully charged. However, if the e-bike will not be used for several weeks or months, the battery should only be charged to 50-75% to avoid overuse.
- Charge cycles: The life of an e-bike battery is measured in charge cycles, not time. A modern battery can withstand between 700 and 1000 charge cycles. This means that the battery can be charged from 0% to 100% between 700 and 1000 times. If the battery is only charged from 50% to 100%, that counts as half a charge cycle.
Charging the battery correctly:
- Do not completely discharge the battery: It is recommended to never fully discharge the battery. Modern batteries have a battery management system (BMS) that prevents the battery from being completely discharged. However, if the battery remains at 0%, it will continue to discharge and may be damaged.
- Fully charge the battery: There are differing opinions on whether a battery should always be fully charged. Some studies suggest that a battery will last longer if it is only charged to 80-90%. However, this can also lead to performance degradation, as many BMSs require a 100% charge to properly balance the individual cells.
One more thing about the battery in the VIA 1:
In our VIA 1, we have installed a 630 Wh battery from the company Shimano. This has a total of 1000 charge cycles and should be charged to about 75% when stored. Special feature of Shimano: To charge a Shimano battery outside the bike, you need a separate adapter. This is included in the scope of delivery of the VIA 1.
We hope this battery guide has helped you.
Your VIA team