Bike Talk v.022 🚲

Electric bikes are more than just a frame and two-wheels, a.k.a. a regular bike. Electric bikes are vehicles, vehicles that are reliable and will last for several thousand miles if properly cared for.

As a western nation transitioning into energy-efficient transportation, there are many concerns from consumers about battery efficiency. How many miles can I get out of an electric motor? How long do lithium-ion batteries last? These are the two questions often asked when people are researching this technology.

I found an article on the eBikesHQ.com website that was dead-on with everything you should know about the electric bike's life span. Because this piece was so very well written, all I can do here is highlight the information relayed.

Motors

So, what is the lifespan of an eBike motor? Generally, between 1,000 - 3,000 miles on a set of quality tires with normal wear and tear. However, this is a general analysis. There are three types of motor that are used for electric bikes. The numbers above don't apply to all three types of motors.

Direct Drive Hub

For example, the Direct-drive motor can last up to 10,000 - 20,000 miles or more. What affects the lifespan of the DDH motors is overheating, excessive power can melt components within the motor. This can be avoided if the motor, controller, and battery are properly calibrated.

Geared Hub

A geared hub motor can last up to 10,000 - 20,000 miles as well. Because the GH has more moving parts, such as a motor that spins faster than a direct drive motor. What will affect the lifespan of this particular motor is friction and wear. Heavy commuting and hard riding may result in having to replace the gears 2-3 times over the life of the bike.

Mid-Drive

Mid-drives may last up to 3,000 - 5,000 miles. Because Mid-Drives are powered by the crank, the motor will put more stress on the drive chain, sprockets, and derailleur system stress will wear out these components faster. Retail mid-drive e-bikes will come with durable chains due to stress issues. However, DIY or kits will need to be upgraded to elevate the issues.

Battery

Currently, most e-bikes today are equipped with lithium-ion or lithium-polymer technology. These batteries can be charged up to at least 1,000 full charge-discharge cycles or three to five years of lifespan before the battery begins to decline its power.

When stored properly in a cool, dry environment between 59 F (15 C) and 68 F (20 C). A side note to the temperature environment, try not to store the battery fully charged. An average capacity of 40-80% is recommended.

Use the original charger that came with your battery or that you've built with. DO NOT use fast chargers, these can damage your battery. Also, avoid fully discharging your battery regularly. Partial recharging is highly recommended, charging from 0-100% will shorten the battery's lifespan.

So that's it, the lifespan of an electric bike motor and battery. For a more in-depth understanding of the subject, head over to eBikesHQ.com for the full article.

https://ebikeshq.com/how-long-will-ebike-last/