E-Bikes and the Intricacies of Lithium-Ion
Whether you’ve got a brand new ebike, had one handed down to you, or just want a refresher about how to care for your battery, here is just one place of hopefully many to bookmark for information!
We’ve compiled some of our knowledge about these systems that we’ve learned from being ebike owners ourselves, as well as recommendations from the brands we carry!
Lithium-ion is sensitive in that it doesn’t like being left at 100% or 0% for days. Especially not anything longer than a month. This could potentially lead to some of the cells in the battery no longer accepting a charge. What the computer is saying is 100% may actually only be 70% of what the battery could initially hold.
We, as well as lithium-ion manufacturers recommend storing an ebike battery at 35-55%. (Jury is out on what the exact best percentage is, just that it should be around the middle.)
Lithium-ion is especially sensitive to cold weather. You may find your range is lessened during the winter, but gets back to normal once it starts heating up!
When storing your battery, it is recommended to keep it in a dry, insulated place regardless. When it is below 32°F, some batteries can be removed from the bicycle frame to be brought inside. If not, then you can wrap a blanket around wherever the battery rests on the bike.
In contrast, prolonged exposure to heat can cause degradation as well, but nothing that a ride on a sunny day would cause. If possible, avoid leaving the bike in direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day. Some batteries may be more sensitive than others.
If you see any damage to the shell of the battery, stop riding and bring your bike to a certified Call2Recycle center (We are one.). External and Internal damages to lithium-ion batteries can cause a fire or worse. Improper charging equipment is also dangerous. Always use a charger manufactured by the same brand as your battery. Making sure you purchase an ebike with a system that passes America’s UL standard for lithium-ion is highly recommended.
Clean any plug holes on the battery and where it attaches to the bike semi-regularly as well! No pressure washing or anything, just a damp towel or cloth.