The e-bike range – what you need to know!

How much range does your e-bike have? If you want to go on longer tours, that's the crucial question. Because especially with a heavy e-bike or a lot of luggage, you certainly don't want to be stranded with a dead battery! Unfortunately, we can't predict an exact kilometer distance here, and the reason is quite simple: Besides the rated power of the battery, many individual factors are responsible for the distance you can achieve with one battery charge. You can find out what affects the range of the e-bike and how you can ride as many kilometers as possible here.

When you order or buy an e-bike, there is sometimes information from the bicycle manufacturer about the possible range of the pedelec. If this information is missing, you can easily find out which drive and which battery are installed. The companies that manufacture electric drives for pedelecs today generally provide more or less accurate information about the ranges their batteries can achieve. But unfortunately, no one can give you an exact prediction.

Why not? You can find out here!

What is the e-bike range anyway?

The term “e-bike range” refers to the distance you can travel with one battery charge. So it doesn't really depend on the e-bike itself, and the motor doesn't have a direct influence on it; it would just keep going and going and going....

What you should know about e-bike batteries – the FAQs

Here are some brief general information about e-bike batteries:

Which batteries do e-bikes have and where?

Today, an e-bike usually has a lithium-ion battery. These batteries do not have a memory effect; rather, they are durable and very powerful.

Today, the batteries in most e-bikes are built into the down tube of the frame.

"In the past," the batteries – like on this city bike – were clearly visible, today they offer more range and are almost invisible! Image © Creme Cycles

Wh is the unit of measurement for e-bike batteries

The capacity of a battery is measured in watt-hours, abbreviated: Wh.

The greater the number of watt-hours, the greater the capacity of the battery – meaning it potentially lasts longer and thus offers more range.

Since the actual range of an e-bike battery but influenced by many external factors, the number of watt-hours does not allow an exact conclusion on the possible distance.

How many watt-hours (Wh) does an e-bike battery have on average?

Although there are different manufacturers, there are not many differences in the capacity of the batteries. Here are a few examples:

• Shimano produces batteries with 418 and 504 Wh
• Bosch delivers between 300 and 625 Wh, the DualBattery (a double e-bike battery) reaches 1250 Wh
• Fazua packs 252 Wh into the batteries
• From Panasonic there are capacities between 432 and almost 650 Wh

It looks similar with all other manufacturers. The DualBattery with 1250Wh is a real exception, but it is not a single battery, it is actually two.

More watt-hours = more e-bike range?

In general, many watt-hours naturally mean large ranges. In fact, it depends on different factors that can significantly extend or limit the range of the e-bike.

Do old e-bikes have less range?

Usually, e-bikes that have been around for a few years need to go to the gas station more often. Modern lithium-ion batteries are very durable, but they do not last forever. Over time and with each charging cycle, the capacity decreases slightly. This also reduces the possible e-bike range. However, this is no reason to forgo an e-bike. The batteries manage many charging cycles (depending on the manufacturer about 1000 or around 5 years) without a noticeable restriction in range. And even after this time, the possible distance decreases gradually, not all at once. With each charging cycle, the range becomes slightly shorter, but the pedelec itself still works for years.

So, the fear of an aging battery should not deter you from buying an e-bike!

Further down, we have some suggestions on how you can extend the lifespan of your e-bike when the ranges decrease!

Does the range depend on the type of bike? Images © Liv, Cannondale

Does the range of the e-bike have something to do with the type of bike?

A "MTB Hardtail has a range of 250 km", "an e-bike with a range of 200 km" or an "e-bike folding bike has a range of 100 km" ... unfortunately, it doesn't work like that. The range of an e-bike has nothing to do with whether it is a city e-bike, an e-gravel bike, or an e-trekking bike.

However, there are tendencies: Comfortable (and inexpensive) city e-bikes tend to have smaller batteries with less range on board. Trekking e-bikes, XC hardtails, or e-gravel bikes are intended for long distances, so they are equipped with more watt-hours.

⚡Various E-Bikes in the BMO Online Shop ⚡

City E-Bikes | eMTBs | E Gravel Bikes | Trekking E-Bikes | E-Bikes Women | E-Bikes Men

How much range does your e-bike really need?

E-bike drive systems knew only one direction for a few years: bigger. The power increased, the battery capacity increased. The weight and size of the components? Also increased.

Nobody wanted to be told that buyers regularly run out of breath with their e-bikes. To ensure nothing went wrong, the batteries were made larger or even doubled. Double battery and range extender came onto the market, significantly increasing the range, but also the weight of the e-bikes skyrocketed, 25 to almost 30kg were not uncommon.

Today, there are both options and you can decide: Do you prefer a lighter e-bike with moderate torque and slightly less range? Or do you want massive motor power and ample charging capacity – and are willing to accept a heavy bike in return?

A range extender increases the e-bike's range

If you have opted for a smaller drive system or at least a smaller battery, a range extender is a great thing. Here's how it works:

A range extender (English range: range, extender: extension) is a second battery that you attach to your e-bike drive as needed to extend the range .

You want to ride a lighter e-bike in everyday life, but need more e-bike range on vacation or weekends? Then a range extender is the perfect solution! With the internal battery, you can handle everyday routes, and with the additional battery, you can go on long tours.

Range extenders have another advantage: They not only extend your range, they are also the “pension plan” for your e-bike. If the e-bike is otherwise still in good shape, owners like to use a range extender to extend the range of their aging e-bike again. In some electric bikes, the battery is permanently installed in the frame and cannot be removed. Especially with these bikes, this solution is very practical, because a replacement battery could not be installed in these pedelecs.

Looks like a beverage can, is also mounted in the bottle holder area, but it's a range extender! Image © Orbea

These factors affect the e-bike range

Completely independent of the battery capacity, the following individual conditions influence the range of your e-bike:

• The motorization of the e-bike

It's quite simple. The bigger the drive, the hungrier it is. Bigger means more torque on an e-bike. This gives the bike more power (but not more speed!), the motor needs more power, and the battery has less range.

• The support level significantly affects the e-bike range!

One of the most important route factors is the choice of support level. Power consumption can more than double from “Eco” to “Sport”! Conversely: In “Sport” mode, the e-bike achieves less than half the distance that would be possible in “Eco” mode.

• Headwind costs e-bike range

When you ride against the wind, the (wind) resistance literally increases. Building up decent speed with headwind costs your drive power, and then the battery draws a corresponding amount of power.

• The terrain

The terrain also plays an important role in the possible range, and there are two important aspects to consider here: On the one hand, your e-bike consumes more battery charge on inclines than on flat or downhill sections.

Also interesting is the condition of the surface. On smooth asphalt, the wheels roll more easily, saving battery. On loose surfaces, the drive consumes more energy. You can even see this! If the tires leave a noticeable trail, literally “digging” through mud or sand, the electric bike needs more energy, and the battery provides less range.

• Temperature

E-bike batteries (like all batteries) don't like extreme temperatures, and strong temperature fluctuations are rather suboptimal. It definitely makes sense to protect the battery from frost and extreme heat. Perhaps you've also noticed that your phone battery lasts less long in freezing temperatures? E-bike batteries behave similarly. With the temperatures, the range decreases!

• The speed of the e-bike

The more your drive has to support you, the more energy it consumes. So if you always ride at top speed, the battery will soon be empty. Switch to a low support level if you want to achieve a lot of range , if you turn off the drive and ride with muscle power, the battery lasts forever!

• The tires affect the range!

The wider the contact area of the tires, the greater the rolling resistance, so wide tires need more energy = battery charge.

• Less weight means more range

The more weight your e-bike has to move, the more power it needs. This includes the total weight of the bike and rider. Luggage, child seats, and trailers also require additional energy.

• Traffic flow matters, avoid stop-and-go!

The more often you have to start and stop while riding, the less range your e-bike will have.

What you can do for more range

If you have read the section “These factors affect the range,” you already know how to save battery and thus extend the distance your e-bike can cover . Some of the factors affecting distance you can control, others not so much.

• The motorization of the e-bike

You can't change the motorization of an existing e-bike, of course. However, you can consider how much power you actually need before purchasing.

• The support level

Do you always need full support? Or is it enough if the motor gives a little push? The lower the assistance level, the more range! Maybe you can turn off the motor completely when going downhill for longer distances?

But there is a point to note here: On some e-bikes, the lights go out when you turn off the motor. Riding without lights just to save a few more kilometers on the battery is dangerous! In case of doubt, being seen is more important than having a lot of range!

• Headwind

There's not much you can do about headwind, of course. But you can take a cue from road cyclists! Tight clothing that doesn’t flap and a low riding position reduce air resistance.

• The terrain

If you turn off the motor completely when going downhill, you won't use any power at all.

You might not be able to influence the ground either. But if you can ride on smooth surfaces , you should do so because it saves power and extends the range of the e-bike.

• Temperature

As for temperature, you are powerless. Cold reduces the performance of a battery, and unfortunately, there is little room for maneuver. There are neoprene thermal covers for the e-bike battery. Whether such a cover extends the range is rather questionable.

• The speed

When you ride leisurely, your e-bike uses less power than it would during a hard ride. Hitting top speed now and then is simply fun. But if you pedal yourself, ride at a lower support level, or choose downhill sections for the speed rush, your e-bike will reward you with more range.

• The weight

Many e-bikers tend not to limit their luggage too strictly, after all, the motor helps with transport. However, if you want the maximum range, for example when bikepacking, you should carefully consider what you really need. The saved weight increases the possible distance.

• The Tires

As wide as necessary, but no more – more rubber on the road needs more battery. You should also regularly inflate the tires, flat tires need more energy. If you want more information on the perfect tire size, you should visit the post "Find the Right Tire Width"!

• The Traffic Flow

Can you perhaps avoid rush hours? Or is there possibly a less frequented bike path? If you can avoid stop-and-go , you will be rewarded with greater range.

What really needs to come along on the bike tour? The less weight, the more range your e-bike has! Image © SKS

Is the range specified by e-bike manufacturers accurate?

You saw it in the last section – the range specifications are guidelines that are heavily influenced by test conditions. For this reason, there is either a specification that contains a approx. , a more or less large range, or no statement.

Some major manufacturers, Bosch or Shimano, have now tested their e-bike batteries under various conditions and offer online range calculators or can at least provide various guidelines for battery range under different conditions.

"With battery XY you can go exactly ...km!", unfortunately does not work.

Which is the "best" e-bike battery?

While we can't provide reliable information about the e-bike's range (as you now know), we can tell you one thing for sure:

The best battery for you is the one that fits your cycling plans.

If you consider what you plan to do with your pedelec before purchasing, you can buy a battery with the appropriate range. This way, you won't run out of power on the road, but you also won't pay for watt-hours you don't need!

Here we have a few example scenarios that might influence the purchase decision:

• You only ride short distances, and it doesn't bother you that your e-bike needs to be charged more often?
• You want to often load your bike, so take it on the car rack. Or does it need to go down into the subway with you? Or does it park in the bike cellar and needs to go down a few steps and back up again? Then a light e-bike with a small motor and battery is easier to handle.
• Do you fall under the category of "small, light rider"?
• Are you looking for a cheap e-bike?
• If the range is too small for you, would you consider a Buy a Range Extender?

→ Then a smaller, cheaper battery with less range is enough for you

• You want to go on day-long tours or even have multi-day tours on the agenda?
• You live in the mountains or want to go on a cycling holiday there, so your e-bike covers significantly more elevation gain than it would in flatland?
• You ride a cargo bike or a full-suspension MTB with high torque?
• Your bike, you, and the luggage weigh a bit more together?
• You want not to recharge constantly?

→ Then a pedelec with a large battery with a lot of capacity and range is certainly a good purchase, you may even need to pack a range extender and/or the charger.

If the battery can be removed, there may be a replacement battery if the range of your e-bike decreases. Image © Trek

What range does an e-bike really achieve?

Now you know that it is practically impossible to provide reliable figures for range here. Between 40 and 120 kilometers ... is not really helpful, but the common average often given by manufacturers and in the bike press. Some research when buying an e-bike will give you an idea of the possible range of a single model.

What can you do if the range of the e-bike battery shrinks over time?

You read above, a battery also loses capacity over time even with good care and eventually only manages shorter distances.

But that doesn't mean your e-bike is ready for the scrap heap, there are various solutions.

• With a range extender your e-bike can achieve greater ranges again
• Many e-bikes offer the option to attach a second battery (called DualBattery, double battery, etc. depending on the manufacturer)
• There are replacement batteries; if the battery is removable and the manufacturer offers replacement batteries, this is a good solution.

The replacement battery is also a good extension for a bikepacking tour! If there are no range extenders to buy for your e-bike drive, you can simply charge a second battery, pack it, and replace it if necessary.

Two good tips to conclude…

Our first tip… before you go on larger bike tours, you should do a small “dry run " Insert – drive the battery almost empty and charge it completely. Then you can go for a test drive. When the battery is almost empty again, you can roughly estimate the distance your bike can cover on one charge. The more accurately you mimic the tour (i.e., weight of luggage, terrain, support level, etc.), the more accurately you can determine the range you can achieve.

Tip number 2: If you want to buy a smaller, lighter, and cheaper battery, but want to ride your e-bike more often, you should pay attention to the charging times . Most manufacturers that build e-bike drives specify how long it takes for their batteries to be half or fully charged. The faster this goes, the quicker your bike is back on the road. Maybe the manufacturer also offers a speed charger . With such a faster charging device , your pedelec is ready for use again in no time.

We have many interesting pieces of information about bicycles and e-bikes for you, and more are on the way! So far, you can find the following posts in the bike blog:

• E-Bike Tires – useful or useless?
• Storing the E-Bike Battery – but correctly!
• Charging the E-Bike Battery – here's how
  

Title image: Trek