Longevity of an electric bike battery, best practices

How to choose and maintain the battery for your electric bike?

The battery is the "heart" of the electric bike. It not only determines the bike's range, but also influences the overall quality of your experience with your electric bike, whether you are riding it, or after parking your bike, when you have to transport or recharge it.

In electrical technologies, the battery is often the component that wears out the fastest. Understanding how it works and adopting good maintenance practices is therefore essential to optimizing its lifespan. Here's everything you need to know about the best practices to ensure its longevity and repairability!

Understanding your electric bike battery

By understanding how your electric bike battery works, you will be able to maximize its efficiency and durability.

The first thing to know is that electric bike batteries work on the principle of storing and releasing electrical energy to power the bike's motor. They are generally available in two main voltages on the market: 36V and 48V.

However, the battery voltage largely determines the power and range of the electric bike:

• 36V electric bike batteries are more common and offer good range for daily use, making them perfectly suited for urban journeys and short to medium distance travel;
• 48V electric bike batteries provide significantly more power, making them ideal for cyclists who ride longer distances or need extra assistance to tackle steeper terrain.

It's worth noting that most electric bike batteries are removable , making them easy to recharge at home or at work . This feature also allows you to secure the battery with a lock to prevent theft.

Regarding the battery of the Anod hybrid bike , here are its main advantages:

• Ultra-compact 76Wh battery weighing 650g, easy to slip into your pockets every day.
• for a range of up to 70 km,
• capable of charging a smartphone,
• The lifespan is increased tenfold thanks to the supercapacitors in the hybrid system.
• Supercapacitors recharge through energy recovery during braking.
• Electric assistance that works even with a dead battery.
• All this for a full charge in just 1 hour 30 minutes via USB-C (using the charger provided by Anod).

What is the lifespan of an electric bike battery?

The lifespan of an electric bike battery varies on average from 2 to 5 years . This estimate depends, of course, on many factors, such as:

• Frequency of use of the bike: Particularly frequent use of the battery, over many charge cycles, contributes to its premature aging.

• Environmental conditions: strong temperature variations or humidity can accelerate battery wear, resulting in increasingly shorter charging times.

• Internal chemical degradation: A battery undergoes natural chemical degradation over time. Each charging cycle causes chemical reactions that can lead to electrode deterioration, gradually impairing energy storage capacity.

Thus, battery wear depends heavily on the frequency and type of use, but good maintenance and following a few tips can greatly limit the wear on your battery.

Another trick is to use technologies that don't rely solely on batteries for energy storage. In the case of a hybrid electric bike like the Anod Hybrid, using supercapacitors in addition to the lithium battery reduces the load on the battery, thus extending its lifespan by several years.

Signs of a battery at the end of its life or defective

Successfully identifying the signs that your electric bike battery is nearing the end of its life or is defective is essential to avoid unexpected breakdowns, but also to maintain an optimal riding experience.

Here are the main signals to be aware of:

• Significant decrease in range: If you notice that your electric bike travels less distance on a full battery charge than before;
  
  
• Sudden drop in performance: Less efficient pedal assist or intermittent power cuts may indicate a battery failure;
  
  
• Swelling or fluid leaks: Physical abnormalities such as swelling or fluid leaks from the battery cells are clear signs of failure;
  
  
• Damaged connection terminals: Oxidized or damaged connection terminals can lead to battery charging and operation problems;
  
  
• Charging problems: If the battery no longer charges properly or if it discharges rapidly even when not in use, this may indicate a malfunction.

If you encounter any of these problems, we advise you to consider maintaining the battery, having it repaired, or replacing it.

Battery repair and maintenance

Now that you know the main signs of battery failure on your electric bike, here are some tips to ensure regular battery repair and maintenance:

• Regular cleaning and maintenance: When maintaining your electric bike , be sure to regularly clean the battery connection terminals and charger contacts to prevent the accumulation of dirt and oxidation. Use a soft, dry cloth to gently wipe the surfaces, and avoid using harsh chemicals that could damage the components;
  
  
• Replacing faulty terminals or connectors: If you notice that the battery terminals or connectors are damaged or corroded, consider replacing them as soon as possible. Faulty terminals can cause battery charging and operating problems;
  
  
• Checking cables and connections: Opening a battery is a dangerous procedure, so we advise you to leave the repair, if necessary, to a professional. Batteries contain sulfuric acid, exposure to which is extremely dangerous; this is why you should never open the battery yourself.
  
  
• Battery calibration: Some e-bike batteries may require periodic calibration to maintain optimal performance. To do this, simply follow the manufacturer's instructions to properly calibrate the battery according to its type and model;
  
  
• Advanced diagnostics: If you are experiencing persistent problems with your e-bike battery despite repair attempts, don't hesitate to call on a qualified professional for a thorough diagnosis!

At Anod, we place great importance on the repairability of our hybrid bike! That's why all the components of the Anod bike are very easily repairable and replaceable, making your future bike repairable at any bike shop near you.

Our tips for choosing the right battery for your electric bike

Here is our advice for choosing the right battery for your electric bike:

• Pay attention to the battery capacity: Measured in amp-hours (Wh), the battery capacity determines the amount of energy it can store. The higher the capacity, the greater the range of your electric bike. To choose the right capacity, carefully consider the distance you plan to travel on a single charge.

• Check the battery voltage: Battery voltage, measured in volts (V), directly affects the power and overall performance of your electric bike. We recommend choosing a battery with a voltage compatible with your existing electrical system; standard voltages on the market are generally 36V or 48V.

• Opt for a brand name battery: Batteries from reputable manufacturers and high-end bicycle brands generally guarantee a high level of production and quality control, as well as good after-sales service;
  
  
• Price: Price is an important factor to consider, especially if you need to replace the battery due to theft, for example. Batteries can cost up to €700. This is a component that often needs replacing during the lifespan of an electric bike, so plan ahead for a potential future purchase.
  
  
• Charging time: Li-ion batteries generally recharge quickly, in 3 to 5 hours. Be sure to check the charging time so you're not caught off guard, especially if you use your e-bike frequently. Anod stands out in this regard with its compact battery that recharges in 1.5 hours;

• The charger: Each manufacturer uses its own specific charging cable for each battery model. The Anod battery, however, uses a USB-C cable for easy charging at any time.
  
  
• Size & Weight: You'll regularly need to carry your bike battery, whether to recharge it or to keep it with you while parked. Bulkiness then becomes a major issue. It's therefore important to check the weight of the batteries. On the market, a battery weighs on average between 2 and 4 kg. To meet this need, Anod offers a lighter-than-average battery, weighing only 650 g.
  
  
• Knowing the battery's manufacturing location: The majority of batteries on the market are produced in China. However, since European standards are more restrictive than Chinese standards, some batteries may not comply with regulations. Therefore, it is recommended to choose well-established brands that are familiar with the regulations. Opting for French manufacturers, such as brands like Anod, can be a simpler and more reliable solution.

Beyond the technical aspects, buying products made in France helps avoid questionable production conditions, whether in terms of human rights or respect for the environment.

Battery life and how to optimize it

On average, an electric bike battery can provide a range of 30 to 80 kilometers on a single charge , depending on its characteristics. Battery capacity is often proportional to its weight, generally between 2 and 4 kg.

To address this lack of practicality, Anod has succeeded in reducing the battery's weight while maintaining a large energy storage capacity. Anod therefore offers a 650g battery capable of providing a range of up to 70 km, thus avoiding the need for a heavy weight to achieve sufficient autonomy.

To optimize the battery life of your electric bike , here are some best practices to adopt:

• Do not allow the battery to discharge completely before recharging: partial charge cycles are less stressful for the battery and can help extend its lifespan;
  
  
• Store the battery in a dry place at room temperature, especially when not in use for extended periods, as this will prevent corrosion and degradation of the battery components. We recommend keeping your bike dry, between 10 and 20°C.

• Always charge the battery with the charger provided by the e-bike manufacturer: using an incompatible charger can significantly damage the e-bike battery. Unless the battery is compatible with universal (USB-C) chargers, like our Anod battery. In that case, you don't need a specific charger.

The Anod product's battery: robustness and versatility

The secret to the exceptional performance of the Anod hybrid bike? This versatile charging technology is 100% French !

The Anod battery's superior lifespan is one of its key advantages. Thanks to its hybrid system incorporating supercapacitors , the battery is subjected to less stress than on a conventional e-bike. This unique design significantly extends its lifespan, offering cyclists long-term reliability and invaluable peace of mind.

Beyond its robustness, the Anod battery also stands out for its versatility . Weighing only 650g , it is extremely light and compact , making it easy to integrate into your bike. Its ultra-fast charging in just 1.5 hours thanks to USB-C connectivity, with the option to charge your smartphone if needed, is another practical advantage for cyclists in a hurry in urban areas.

Finally, it's also worth noting that the Anod battery uses six times less lithium than traditional batteries, making it more environmentally friendly while guaranteeing exceptional performance! Its price? €250, for 100% French manufacturing.