The lifetime of li-ion batteries for electric bikes, e-scooters is usually given by the number of cycles. Li-on battery life is affected by many more factors than just cycles. We can also contribute a lot to the longer life of the battery ourselves, with proper handling and use.
What affects battery life?
Number of cycles
The number of cycles tells us how long you use the battery.
Time
The battery ages despite not being used.
Temperature
Temperature affects the chemical properties of the battery.
Load
The greater the load, the greater the stress on the battery.
Charging
Charging at temperatures below 10°C adversely affects the battery life.
Storing
Proper storage can greatly extend the lifespan.
How to extend battery life?
The average lifespan of Li-ion batteries for e-bikes is between 5 and 8 years or from 500 to 1000 cycles. One cycle is counted when the battery is 100% full and discharged to 0%. If you discharge the battery from 100% to 50%, this is considered half a cycle. In order for your battery to last as long as possible, you will need to follow certain guidelines which we have prepared below.
Charging
Regular charging at low temperatures greatly reduces battery life. When charging, it is important to charge the battery in a room with room temperature. Avoid low and high temperatures. It is ideal between 20 and 25°C. At the same time, take care of safety. Do not cover the battery and charger, do not expose them to direct sunlight and make sure that there are no flammable substances in the room. The life of the battery is also affected by the selected power of the charger. Charging with a smaller charger is recommended, but this does not have a major impact on lifespan.
Cycles
When using an e-bike on a daily basis, it often happens that you do not need the entire battery. That's why when you're waiting for it to charge, you can turn it off without worry because it's better for the battery. However, we recommend that you charge it to capacity at least once a week with regular use to equalize the voltage in the cells.
Load
The greater the load, the greater the electric current flows from the battery to the motor. If the battery is exposed to a heavy load for a long time, the battery may overheat. It is recommended to use a lighter gear uphill.
Storing
When the battery is not used for a long time, e.g. during the winter, you must store it properly. You can do a lot of damage to the battery in the long run if you don't follow these recommendations. Therefore, store the battery in a room with a temperature between 0 and 25°C. The battery must not be exposed to direct sunlight. It is important that the battery is not full! We recommend charging between 30 and 60%. Since the battery discharges by itself (minimal) when standing still, it should be checked every month if it is still between 30 and 60%. If it accidentally drops below 30%, charge it.
Temperature
On cold winter days, it happens that if the battery has been in the cold overnight, it loses capacity for a short time (until it warms up). Therefore, it is recommended to keep the battery at room temperature overnight. This way you will have a much longer range in the morning.
When is it necessary to change the battery and if it is really necessary?
The battery is a part of the bicycle that wears out over time, i.e. loses power and durability. Loss of capacity is a result of use and aging, which cannot be avoided. A battery is considered worn when its capacity falls below 70% of the nominal capacity. However, it is not necessary to change it at this point, as this does not mean that it is useless. So if the battery previously had a range of 80 km and now has a range of 50, you can still use it for shorter journeys. Replacing the battery therefore also depends on the distance for which it is intended.