UniEnergy Technologies Battery » How Much Does An Electric Bike Battery Cost? (Ultimate Guide)

How Much Does An Electric Bike Battery Cost? (Ultimate Guide)

The battery is the most important and the priciest component in an electric bike. It’s almost 40% of the bike’s value, making a massive difference in the overall price of the bike. However, like other bike components, the battery experiences wear and tear over time.

Eventually, you’ll need to purchase a new battery when the current battery gets old or damaged. Whether upgrading the battery or replacing the worn-out battery, here’s everything you should know about electric bike costs.

Electric Bike Battery Costs

An electric bike battery costs between $500 to $900. The battery’s capacity, its type, the build quality, and the brand manufacturing the battery influence the price. An e-bike battery in this range has a 400 to 700-watt-hour (Wh) capacity.

The brand’s reputation and market coverage affect the final cost. For example, an e-bike battery from a reputable manufacturer will cost more than a less-known brand providing a battery with the exact specifications and build quality.

E-Bike Battery Costs From Different Brands

E-Bike Battery Costs From Different Brands

1. Branded Batteries

While the battery type produced by brands might be the same, they still try to keep their battery unique and never compromise on quality. When it comes to electric batteries for bikes, Bosch is a popular name in the market.

The price of a Bosch battery starts from $650 to a whopping $925. The brand’s average rate per watt-hour is $1.71 Wh. This means a 300 Wh Bosch e-bike battery will be around $510.

Likewise, Shimano is another e-bike battery manufacturer with batteries ranging between $500 to $750 and has a rate of 1.4 per watt hour. Other brands include Samsung, Panasonic, LG, and Yamaha, which you can consider for your electric bicycle.

2. Off-Brand Batteries

If you want to spend less on a replacement battery, consider opting for an off-brand battery but ensure the battery cells are of top quality. Most affordable off-brand batteries are manufactured in China, and you can contact the seller directly to ensure quality cells are used. Compared to Japan or Korea, China has a poor reputation for producing 18650 cells used in batteries.

Getting a battery made of reused materials or clone cells is possible, resulting in lower battery life and poor performance. There are safety concerns involving off-brand batteries, as there are several reports of the batteries catching fire when charging or in use.

It’s always best to search for the battery requirements of your e-bike, like the required volts and amps, for optimum performance. Using a battery with the wrong voltage and ampere ratings can lead to a battery fire.

Batteries have a three-year lifespan and a specific number of discharge and charge cycles. After that, the battery needs to be replaced. The average charge cycles of an e-bike battery are 1000. The higher the battery quality, the more charge cycles it provides before dying out.

Contents Of An E-Bike Battery

Contents Of An E-Bike Battery

The lithium batteries used in e-bikes have two components, lithium-ion cells, and a battery management system. These cells have a decent capacity and discharge rate and can handle high-drain devices without lowering the output.

1. Battery Cells

Each cell is 3.7 volts and has a capacity of 3000 mAh. Depending on the voltage output and power, a specific number of cells are connected in parallel to increase the capacity, whereas others are connected in series to increase the voltage.

2. Battery Management System

This system ensures the longevity of the individual battery packs. The BMS protects each cell pack during the charging and discharging process by limiting the current amount.

These systems also protect the battery from overheating and possible cell damage. Newer systems can even connect via Bluetooth, providing detailed battery information and remotely turning the battery on and off.

How To Extend The Life Of Your E-bike Battery

You’ll inevitably replace your e-bike battery at some point, but using these maintenance tips will extend its life a little longer and ensure optimum performance.

1. Charging the Battery

Always use a compatible charger with the battery. Stick to the charger with your e-bike rather than using any other third-party charger. Using an incompatible charger can lead to a short circuit.

Avoid using the battery immediately after charging, and let it cool down for a few minutes. Likewise, only charge the battery if it’s in use and is already hot. When charging, ensure the battery charges entirely before you unplug the charger.

2. Storage and Cleaning

Store the battery in a cool and dry place. The ideal temperature range can be from zero to 20 degrees Celsius. Avoid direct sunlight or heat exposure, as it can damage the battery.

When cleaning the battery, use a damp cloth to wipe the surface and a dry cloth for the finishing touches. Using direct water over the battery leads to water damage and causes it to malfunction.

How To Reduce The Cost of Electric Bike Battery

How To Reduce The Cost of Electric Bike Battery

A safer alternative to reduce the battery cost rather than buying an off-brand battery is to reduce the number of replacements. The less your battery needs replacement, the more worth you’ll be saving in the long run.

Here are a few considerations to assist you.

  • Consider purchasing a quality e-bike that comes with a lithium-ion battery. These batteries are ideal as they are better than their lead-acid counterparts.
  • When purchasing the bike, remember to inspect the battery and ensure it’s made by a reputable brand. Having a lower-quality battery will only increase the replacement costs. The easiest way is to opt for reputed brands already in the market.
  • Avoid draining the battery completely, as it can alter the capacity and performance of the battery.
  • Always park your bike under a shade and avoid parking it in direct sunlight for more extended periods.
  • If you aren’t using the bike, remove the battery and store them accordingly. When storing the battery, charge it around 40 to 60 percent instead of 100%. Keeping the battery fully charged and not using it decreases its lifespan.

Can E-Bike Batteries Be Repaired?

Some believe repairing their faulty battery can fix issues. While it might be true that some parts, like the battery management system, can be replaced, it voids the manufacturer’s warranty and is never advisable.

In a situation like this, contact the battery manufacturer’s service center and ask whether they provide battery repair services. If the battery is under warranty, there will be no problem getting your battery replaced by a new one.

Always avoid opening or fixing the battery by yourself and contact a certified technician to carry out the task if necessary.

One thing to remember is that repairing these batteries is also expensive. Internal components like the wiring, cell packs, and the tools required for repair are costly, making battery fix only a feasible option in some cases.

If you’re into DIY, you might consider building a battery yourself. Unfortunately, that’s not a great idea because gathering everything and assembling it into a battery will take much more time, effort, and expense than buying a branded e-bike battery.

Besides trying to make a battery, a better alternative is to turn a regular bike into an e-bike using a simple conversion kit. This will allow you to put any hail on your e-bike without relying on a single brand or manufacturer.

FAQ

1. How To Replace Your E-Bike battery

While some bikes are designed to easily remove the battery, allowing the user to remove or swap it without any hassle, some bikes have their batteries screwed in with the frame and need some work to replace.

You can follow the battery replacement instruction mentioned in the user manual of your electric bike. Most bike manufacturers provide replacement batteries, limiting your options to select a battery with more capacity or better performance.

Fortunately, several bike makers allow you to choose from several better models.

2. What is Battery Repacking?

If you’re an avid e-bike rider and enthusiast, you already know what battery repacking is. For those who don’t know, repacking is housing an old battery and packing it with old cells to build a new one.

This battery will never work like the new one as the cells have already aged and might have lost their capacity. This practice is always discouraged because it poses several safety concerns. Furthermore, this battery can easily damage other components of the e-bike due to inadequate voltage output.

Conclusion

The electric battery is undoubtedly a pivotal component of the bike, providing enough power for the electric motor to operate. However, opting for a lower-quality battery isn’t feasible as it will have a short lifespan, poor performance, and will take a lot of time to charge.

When choosing a battery, always contact your manufacturer first to know which battery models are compatible with your e-bike. Most of the time, you’ll quickly find a replacement battery for your bike. While having to replace the battery after some years of use is inevitable, its life can be extended by following the maintenance tips we shared earlier.

We hope the information we shared on e-bike batteries will aid in understanding all about e-batteries and making your choices more straightforward and effective.

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