Battery
January 30, 2025
So what causes e-bike batteries to break down?
Everyone who owns and uses electric bicycles periodically encounters problems with their batteries. The battery for an electric bike is the source of its performance, providing power for the bike and, consequently, the opportunity for your trips.
But sometimes, the batteries of electric bicycles lose their energy intensity or completely fail.
In general, the main causes of battery failure for electric bicycles are improper use, lack of maintenance, and external factors.
In this article, we will take a detailed look at the listed causes, ways to avoid them, and tips for extending the battery life of your electric bike.
Overcharging is the main cause of premature battery wear. Do not leave the electric bike connected to the charger after it is fully charged, as this will cause it to overheat and damage the battery cells.
Tip: Use smart chargers that automatically stop the battery charging process when it is fully charged. Try not to leave the battery on charge overnight.
If most of the time your electric bike's battery is completely discharged before you start charging it, this will eventually lead to permanent damage due to the fact that lithium-ion batteries used in electric bike batteries function optimally when they start charging before their charge level drops below 20%.
Why this is important:
A full discharge of the battery leads to voltage on its cells, and over time, the charge does not last as long.
Tip: Charge the battery when its charge is 30-50%; this will keep it in optimal condition.
Weather conditions are an external factor affecting the performance of electric bike batteries. Batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures. High temperatures can cause the battery to overheat, and cold conditions reduce the capacity of its batteries.
Do not leave the electric bike exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, as this may damage the internal components of the battery.
It is not recommended to use or charge the battery of an electric bike in negative temperature conditions, as this reduces its efficiency and increases wear.
Tip: Keep the electric bike indoors when you are not using it.
Using an incorrect charger or charging the battery in violation of the instructions may worsen its technical condition.
Chargers that are too cheap or not certified can overheat the battery's working cells or cause irregular charging or even risk a battery fire. Avoid them at any cost.
Tip: Always use the charger recommended by the manufacturer and follow the instructions in the user manual. Whizz e-bikes always come with the original charger.
Another reason that causes battery failure for electric bicycles is the lack of regular maintenance. Corrosion of the battery cells, dust getting inside, and loose connections will eventually lead to problems in its operation.
Tip: Clean the battery terminals regularly and check for damage or wear.
The storage conditions of an electric bicycle battery undoubtedly affect the duration of its successful operation. Failure to follow the instructions for storage and operation of the battery will lead to bloating, overheating, loss of energy consumption, and ultimately a reduction in its service life.
Tip: To maintain the effective functioning of the battery, observe its storage conditions: store the battery indoors, at room temperature, in a dry place, at 50% charge.
Not all batteries meet the required technical quality standards. Batteries of poor quality or not certified are most often made of poor materials, have a weak and inefficient design, which consequently leads to their rapid wear and potential hazards.
Tip: Buy batteries only from trusted manufacturers or authorized dealers.
External factors, such as falls or collisions, can contribute to battery damage. These impacts can damage the battery housing or its internal components. Even small cracks in the body are capable of moisture and dirt penetration, which will lead to major technical problems during further operation.
Tip: Avoid rough handling of the battery; get a protective case for it, in order to prevent damage during trips.
When using an electric bike on difficult routes, in high-assist modes (“pedaling assistance”), and over long distances, a significant additional load is created on the battery. Under such operating conditions, a high discharge current occurs, which contributes to overheating of the battery and shortens its service life.
Tip: During long trips, switch to lower assist modes, and try not to use the maximum battery power unnecessarily.
Sometimes, a battery malfunction may be caused by manufacturing defects, rather than errors in the operation of the electric bike user. These may be poorly assembled or defective components that will contribute to premature battery failure.
Tip: It is imperative that you read the terms of the warranty when purchasing a battery. If technical problems are detected, such as rapid discharge or swelling of the battery case, contact the manufacturer.
To ensure safety, it is essential to follow the instructions for using electric bicycle batteries. There have been cases of battery ignition due to overheating or internal technical malfunctions, such as a short circuit or incorrect charging. This damages the battery and creates a serious danger.
Follow the rules for using electric bike batteries to extend their service life.
Related: How long do e-bike batteries last on one charge
From our exploration, we have found that most e-bike batteries fail due to non-compliance with user instructions for their operation, including overcharging, deep discharges, exposure to extreme temperatures, and lack of regular maintenance.
Understanding these factors and taking preventive measures will help you significantly extend battery life.
By following proper charging habits and storage practices and using recommended accessories, you can avoid common problems.
You can use safety batteries from Whizz. Take care of your battery, and it will last you a long time!
Read also: Can you ride an e-bike without battery power
