How much battery power do you need for an electric bike?
If you're thinking of buying an electric bike, you know that it's essential to take a number of criteria into account when making your choice, including one of the most important: the power of your electric bike's battery!
A good battery is synonymous with performance and autonomy on a daily basis. Doctibike offers a wide range of battery brands, including Bosch, Shimano, BMZ and Phylion.
What is the ideal battery power for your electric bike? What are the most important things to consider when buying your E-Bike?
In this article, we'll give you some answers to help you make the right decision!
Before talking about the battery power of an electric bicycle, let's understand how a battery works
What is a battery?
An electric bike battery is a rechargeable device that supplies energy to the bike's electric motor. It is one of the essential components of an electric bicycle and plays a key role in its operation.
The electric bike battery is generally made up of rechargeable li-ion (lithium-ion) cells that store electrical energy. These cells are grouped together in modules to form a complete battery. The size, configuration and capacity of the battery vary according to the model of electric bike and the manufacturer's specifications.
An electric bike battery can easily be compared to rechargeable cells linked together to increase the overall power of your battery. The more cells you add to the battery pack, the greater the total capacity and therefore the power of your E-Bike battery. In practical terms, the more cells the battery contains, the more energy it is able to store and supply, extending the time your electric bike can be used before needing to be recharged.
What is the role of the battery on an electric bike?
In terms of operation, the battery provides the electrical energy needed to power the bike's electric motor, which is located on the rear wheel, the front wheel or in the centre of the crankset. When the rider pedals, the electric motor is activated and uses the energy supplied by the battery to provide pedalling assistance, increasing the bike's speed and power.
The battery plays a crucial role in an electric bike's range. Depending on its power, it will determine the distance you can cover without having to recharge it.
There are several levels of E-Bike battery power:
- Lower-capacity batteries offer reduced range, generally around 300 Wh, or around 30 km.
- The more powerful batteries can reach up to 600 W, enabling you to cover longer distances without needing to recharge, i.e. more than 100 km.
Where is my battery located on my electric bike?
Generally speaking, on all electric bikes, the battery is installed on the frame, often in the down tube or at the rear of the luggage rack. It is designed to be removable, so you can take it out to recharge it easily, whether at work or at home, without having to move the bike.
What motorisation and amperage should I choose for my electric bike battery?
There are a variety of motorisations available for electric bikes, with power ratings ranging from 250 Wh to over 600 Wh, or in terms of range, from 30 km for the lowest power ratings to over 120 km for the biggest batteries.
So the choice of motorisation and amperage for your bike battery depends on a number of factors, including your riding style, the terrain you ride on and your specific needs.
Bicycle battery power: a question of voltage
The higher the number of volts associated with the battery, the more easily the electric bike will be able to reach higher speeds and climb hills.
In addition to Watts, battery power is also expressed in volts (V). This indicates the average amount of electricity delivered by the battery and therefore its power. There are several options on the market and on our website, including 36V and 48V batteries.
A battery with a higher voltage generally offers more power, making it easier to climb hills and slopes without difficulty. The decision as to which voltage to choose for the power of your electric bike battery will depend on how you intend to use it.
- For journeys in the city: If you plan to use your electric bike mainly for short journeys in the city, a 250 W to 500 W motor will be sufficient.
- For longer, sportier trips: On the other hand, if you're planning longer journeys or riding on hilly terrain, an electric mountain bike battery power rating of 500 W to 750 W will be preferable to give you more assistance on difficult climbs.
Electric bike battery amperage: what is it?
The amperage-hour (Ah) of the battery is also important in determining the range of your electric bike. The ampere hours on an electric bike battery are used to determine the range of your bike battery, and therefore the number of kilometres you can cover. The higher the amperage, the greater the energy storage capacity of your battery... and therefore the longer the range.
To give you an idea, we reckon that 1 Ah allows you to travel around 4 km. So an 8 Ah battery will give you an average range of 30 km.
In short, the choice of motorisation (V) and battery amperage determine the power of your electric bike's battery. Would you like to find out more and find out how much battery power you need for your electric bike? Or do you have a problem with your electric battery? Don't hesitate to contact our Doctibike team!
