Proper battery care - How to make your e-road bike battery last longer
Lithium-ion batteries have a limited lifespan - this is not a new realisation, at least not since the advent of the smartphone. But by the time a new mobile phone battery is due, the mobile phone contract usually already allows the upgrade to a new model. This saves the customer the investment. The service life of lithium-ion batteries in e-bikes is also limited, but here you have to dig deep into your pockets for a replacement: 600 to 800 euros are due when the worn-out energy storage unit has to be replaced with a fresh one.
When the battery needs to be replaced essentially depends on two factors: "Battery ageing is made up of the calendar service life and the cycle life. Through storage alone, the battery gradually loses
gradually loses capacity," explains Dr Jochen Mähliß, expert for energy storage systems at Batteryuniversity GmbH in Karlstein.
Count charging cycles
Thomas Huber from Radl-Huber in Munich knows from experience that the Batteries last about five, sometimes up to seven years. Arne Sudhoff from Derby Cycle calculates in charging cycles: "With normal use, the service life is around 1,100 charging cycles. Experience has shown that this corresponds to a service life of around six years." At this stage, however, you won't be able to make any great leaps with your e-bike for a long time. Because after 500 full charging cycles, or around two years, you can only use a Capacity of around 60 per cent according to the manufacturers. But how does battery performance erode? Over time, chemical decomposition processes take place in the battery cells. The actual problem lies in the structure of the lithium-ion battery. To put it simply: in a battery, lithium ions move between the anode and cathode,
positive and negative poles, back and forth. Over time, the electrodes oxidise and lose their ability to store the lithium ions required for the current flow.
Cell oxidation is influenced by various factors - for example, the ambient temperature and the state of charge. This is also good news: the half-life of a lithium-ion battery can be influenced! Depending on the care of the battery and usage behaviour, the loss of capacity varies. Keyword outside temperature: Batteries need to be stored in a cool and dry place. At temperatures above 30 degrees, the degradation of the energy source takes place in fast motion. The batteries don't like frosty conditions either: if it's below zero in the cellar in winter, then you should find a safe, well-tempered place for the battery elsewhere.
Increase the service life of the battery
However, e-bike owners can do something to slow down the predetermined deterioration process not only during storage, but also during use: the battery management system ensures that the safety-critical range is not reached. But "cyclists should still try not to discharge their battery completely. And if you don't need the maximum range or altitude, it also makes sense not to charge the battery completely," recommends Dr Jochen Mähliß. Who pays attention, Do not discharge the battery below ten per cent residual capacity and do not charge it above 90 per centThe battery expert even speaks of "doubling" the service life. Caution is also advised if the battery has been damaged in a fall or accident. Batteries with visible damage should be taken to a dealer immediately, who can check their functionality.
If the capacity of the battery decreases, this has a direct effect on the range and distance. For example, if you can manage 80 kilometres with your bike when it is new, only 48 kilometres are possible with 60 percent capacity. If you want to know exactly, you need to contact your dealer. A good specialist shop will have a diagnostic device with which the Check battery status leaves. You must decide for yourself at what residual
remaining capacity at which you want to replace the battery.
Caution when replacing the battery
As the battery is the most expensive spare part on an e-bike, it makes sense to look for favourable offers on the Internet. In fact, some battery models are offered there at bargain prices. There are also companies offering to replace individual cells or cell blocks. A good idea? A clear "No!" comes from the bike and motor manufacturers. The reason: every lithium-ion battery requires an intelligent electronic battery management system that prevents the battery from leaving its safe operating range. It protects against overloading due to overheating and deep discharge. It also determines the battery capacity, the current state of charge, the remaining operating time and stores life cycle data. The use of cheap and unsuitable batteries can therefore end up being particularly expensive. It is therefore much more sensible - and cheaper - to extend the half-life of the battery through proper handling.
