Key Takeaways:
- Electric bikes, on average, should last between three to five years.
- This metric is dependent on the bicycle’s individual components, with the motor and the frame offering the highest longevity.
- A bicycle’s battery will begin to lose efficiency at around 500 charging cycles.
Electric bikes can be a significant investment. If you have recently purchased an eBike, you may be wondering just how long it will last before you will need to buy a new one.
How Long Do Electric Bikes Last?
This metric can vary from model to model, but the average lifespan of an electric bike is three to five years. This is due to the catastrophic failure of the electrical components, including the motor and the battery. The frame itself can last for up to a decade, depending on a number of external factors.
Tip: This metric can vary from model to model, but the average lifespan of an electric bike is three to five years
eBike Lifespans Explained
The overall lifespan of your electric bicycle is dependent on a number of factors. We will go over these factors below and offer some tips on how to squeeze the most time out of your e-bike.
Battery Care
Taking good care of your electric bike’s integrated lithium-ion battery pack is of the utmost importance when it comes to extending the lifespan of your eBike. A typical lithium battery will operate at peak performance for 500 charge cycles. After that, the overall efficacy will be slightly reduced, though it will still hold a charge. Once the battery stops holding a significant charge, it may be time for a replacement.
Tip: A typical lithium battery will operate at peak performance for 500 charge cycles
As a rule, keep the battery away from extremely cold weather conditions to prolong its overall life and efficiency. If you live in an area with subzero winter months, remove the battery pack from the bike and store it indoors.
Related Posts:
- How to Program an External Controller for Your eBike
- How to Add a USB Port to an Electric Bicycle Battery
Motor Care
An electric bike’s motor is typically made from high-grade and sturdy components. In other words, the motor could outlast many of the other parts of the bike. These motors are typically covered under warranty and if one does fail during normal use, the manufacturer may pay for the replacement.
Tip: the motor could outlast many of the other parts of the bike
One of the best ways to ensure your bike’s motor will last for years to come is to avoid bodies of water. Avoid riding through deep puddles and rivers, for instance, and do not use a pressure washer to clean the motor. Use common sense and your best judgment.
Warning: Avoid riding through deep puddles and rivers, for instance, and do not use a pressure washer to clean the motor
Brakes, Chains, and Gears
A high-quality set of brakes can last up to 2,000 miles of use, but we would recommend minimizing riding down steep hills, as this can increase the deterioration process. Chains and gears will degrade over time, but if your bike was manufactured using high-grade components, you should also get at least 2,000 miles out of them before replacements are necessary.
Tip: A high-quality set of brakes can last up to 2,000 miles of use
Warning: we would recommend minimizing riding down steep hills, as this can increase the deterioration process
Related Posts:
STAT:
Many experts agree that it is better to do partial recharges of a lithium battery than a charge from 0% to 100% all the time. (Source)
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_bicycle
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_electric_bicycle_brands_and_manufacturers
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium-ion_battery
https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/2968120.2987719
*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhcDldebuqM
