Longevity of an electric bike battery, best practices

How to choose and maintain your electric bike battery?

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 while you're riding, or after parking your bike, when you need to transport or recharge it.

In electric technologies, the battery is often the component that suffers the most wear. 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 adopt to ensure its longevity and repairability!

Understanding Your Electric Bike Battery

Understanding how your electric bike battery works will help you 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 e-bike batteries are more common and offer good range for everyday use, making them ideal for urban commuting and short to medium distance travel;
• 48V e-bike batteries provide significantly more power, making them ideal for riders who travel longer distances or need extra assistance to tackle steeper terrain.

It is important to know that most electric bike batteries are removable , which makes it easy to recharge them at home or at work . This feature also offers the possibility of securing the battery with a lock to prevent theft.

Regarding the Anod hybrid bike battery , 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 of the hybrid system,
• Supercapacitors recharge with braking energy recovery
• electric assistance that works even with an empty battery,
• all for a full charge in just 1h30 via USB-C (using the charger provided by Anod).

How long does an electric bike battery last?

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

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

• Environmental conditions: Large 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 charge cycle triggers chemical reactions that can cause the electrodes to deteriorate, gradually impairing the 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 of 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 to complement the lithium battery reduces its load, thus increasing its lifespan by several years.

Signs of a dying or faulty battery

Identifying the signs that your e-bike battery is nearing the end of its life or is faulty is essential to avoid unexpected breakdowns and to maintain an optimal riding experience.

Here are the main signals to know:

• Significant decrease in autonomy: If you notice that your electric bike travels less distance on a full battery charge than before;
  
  
• Sudden drop in performance: Less effective pedal assistance or intermittent power cuts may signal battery failure;
  
  
• Swelling or Fluid Leaks: Physical abnormalities such as swelling or fluid leaking from battery cells are clear signs of failure;
  
  
• Damaged Connection Terminals: Oxidized or damaged connection terminals can cause problems with battery charging and operation;
  
  
• Charging Problems: If the battery no longer charges properly or if it discharges quickly even when not in use, this may indicate a malfunction.

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

Battery repair and maintenance

Now that you know the main signs of battery failure in 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 as well as the charger contacts to prevent the buildup 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 oxidized, consider replacing them as soon as possible. Poor terminals can cause problems with battery charging and operation;
  
  
• Checking cables and connections: Opening a battery is a dangerous procedure, so we recommend leaving any repairs to a professional, if necessary. These batteries contain sulfuric acid, which is extremely dangerous to expose to; for this reason, you should never open the battery.
  
  
• 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 based on its type and model;
  
  
• Advanced Diagnosis: If you are experiencing persistent problems with your electric bike battery despite repair attempts, do not hesitate to call a qualified professional for a thorough diagnosis!

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

Our advice for choosing the right battery for your electric bike

Here are our tips for choosing the right battery for your electric bike:

• Pay attention to battery capacity: Measured in ampere-hours (Wh), battery capacity determines how much energy it can store. The higher the capacity, the greater the range your e-bike will have. To choose the right capacity, consider the distance you plan to travel on a single charge;

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

• Choose a branded 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 will need to be replaced regularly in the life of an electric bike, so plan ahead for a potential future purchase.
  
  
• Recharge time: Li-ion batteries generally recharge quickly, between 3 and 5 hours. Be sure to check the recharge time so you don't get caught out, especially if you use your e-bike frequently. Anod stands out in this regard with its compact battery that recharges in 1.5 hours;

• Charger: Each manufacturer has its own specific charging cable for each battery model. The Anod battery, on the other hand, uses a USB-C cable to allow for easy charging at any time.
  
  
• Size & Weight: You'll need to regularly transport your bike's battery, whether to recharge it or to keep it with you while parking. Bulk 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.
  
  
• Know where the battery is made: The majority of batteries in the battery 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 turn to well-established brands that are familiar with the regulations. Opting for French manufacturers, as offered by some brands such as 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 these characteristics. Battery capacity is often proportional to its weight, usually between 2 and 4 kg.

To address this lack of practicality, Anod has managed to reduce the battery's weight while maintaining a high energy storage capacity. Anod therefore offers a 650g battery that can travel up to 70 km, thus avoiding the dependence on high weight for sufficient autonomy.

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

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

• Make sure to 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 this case, there is no dependence on a specific charger.

The Anod product battery: robustness and versatility

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

The Anod battery's superior lifespan is one of its main advantages. Thanks to its hybrid system incorporating supercapacitors , the battery is subjected to less stress than on a conventional electric bike. This unique design significantly extends its lifespan, offering cyclists long-term reliability and much-needed 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 onto the bike. Its ultra-fast charging in just 1.5 hours thanks to USB-C connectivity, with the option to charge your smartphone if necessary, is another practical advantage for cyclists in a hurry in urban areas.

Finally, you should also know that the Anod battery uses six times less lithium than traditional batteries, which makes it more environmentally friendly while guaranteeing exceptional performance! Its price? €250, for 100% French manufacturing.