The seasons are changing and the outdoors is calling. Have you felt the itch to get on an electric bike and go explore? If so, you’re not alone.
According to one recent report, electric bikes, or e-bikes, are growing in popularity. In fact, experts predict that 130 million of them will sell between 2020 and 2023. Once you get yours, you’ll need to know how to charge it so you can hop on any time you want! Not sure where to start? Today, we’re taking a look at the different types of electric bike batteries to know.
Lead-Acid Bike Batteries
If you own a battery powered bike, then you’ve likely heard of lead-acid batteries. These are arguably the most common and economical batteries on the market, used to power both e-bikes and electric cars.
Though they’ve been around for decades and are proven reliable, they do come with a few drawbacks. The power output of lead-acid batteries tends to be lower than other models, including lithium and nickel batteries. Plus, these units are also heavy. Still, they’re biking industry mainstays for a reason, heralded for their low cost and reliable performance.
Lithium-Ion Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries are ideal for e-bikes, mostly because they’re designed for low-power applications. Delivering more power capacity than their lead-acid counterparts, these batteries are also lighter and longer-lasting. Many industry-leading e-bikes, including some of the models on chargebikes.com/collections/electric-bikes, come equipped with removable and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.
As you research your options, you’ll find that there are a few different types of lithium-ion batteries on the market. These include:
- Lithium cobalt batteries
- Lithium manganese batteries
- Lithium-ion polymer batteries
Each battery differs in terms of price point, energy density, and longevity. Be sure to research the differences before making a selection for your bike. While lithium batteries can out-perform lead-acid ones, they can be a little more complicated to recycle.
Nickel-Cadmium Batteries
As you browse the different types of electric bikes available, you may find that some are designed to take nickel-cadmium batteries. Delivering an impressive capacity per pound, these deliver solid performance, though they can lose their charge relatively quickly.
It’s not uncommon to charge this type of battery to full capacity, only to find that the available power shrinks by more than half in just one day, without use. In addition, nickel-cadmium batteries are among the most expensive on our list. One more reason to look elsewhere, if possible? The cadmium they contain is considered a contaminant, which can make it challenging to recycle them.
Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries
If you need a nickel battery, then nickel-metal hydride batteries are a better pick over the nickel-cadmium batteries described above. These are a little more efficient, although you’ll pay for it with a higher price tag. Even with that uptick in performance, these won’t last as long as a lithium or lead-acid battery.
Still, you can recycle these batteries more easily, and they’ll last a little longer. These advantages give them a nudge over other nickel batteries in the same category.
Find the Right Electric Bike Batteries and Start Riding
Now that we’ve covered a few of the different types of electric bike batteries, are you ready to hit the open road? Research the kind of battery that your bike needs, and compare different specs before making a selection.