Fixed vs. detachable ebike batteries: Which one is right for you?
Can’t decide between a fixed or a detachable ebike battery? We’ve got you
The case for a fixed battery
Pros
Cons
Ebike manufacturers speak:
Ampler Bikes
— Ardo Kaurit, CEO & Co-founder ofAmpler Bikes.
Mokumono
–Tom Schiller, co-founder and CEO ofMokumono.
The case for a detachable/swappable battery
Pros
Cons
Ebike manufacturers speak:
Dance
— JT Burke, head of hardware,Dance
Rad Power Bikes
The elephant in the room is weather
Before you choose your choice of ebike, consider the climate or where you ride. One of the biggest factors in battery health is protecting your battery against the weather. Some general tips:
Cold weather:
Temperatures below 5-10 degrees Celsius (40-50 degrees Fahrenheit) affect the battery’s performance. It’s advisable to bring your battery inside whenever practical.It’s also not advisable to charge the battery in areas where the temperature is below freezing.
Hot weather
Conversely, warmer temperatures can wear down the components that are used to generate power for your ebike, effectively leading to premature capacity loss. Storing your battery/bike in the shade in hot weather is a good idea.
Rad Power Bikes suggests you should always charge in a safe area that is dry, indoors, between 50 °F–77 °F (10 °C–25 °C), and away from direct sunlight, dirt, or debris.Logistics matter: Arrange the bike, battery, and charger to eliminate the potential for trip hazards, damage to the bike, battery, or charger.
Rain
Boxer Cyclesadvisethat while most ebikes are water-resistant they shouldn’t be submerged in water, outdoors during heavy showers, or ridden through ridden deep puddles.
Store your bike out of the rain and make sure the battery is kept dry as much as possible.
Whatever you choose, an ebike is a long-term investment. You want a bike that can continue to serve you as battery innovation accelerates over time.And, yep, the next generation of batteries will be even better.
Story byCate Lawrence
Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, smart ci(show all)Cate Lawrence is an Australian tech journo living in Berlin. She focuses on all things mobility: ebikes, autonomous vehicles, VTOL, smart cities, and the future of alternative energy sources like electric batteries, solar, and hydrogen.
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