E-bike care guide: make your battery and motor last longer

E-bikes tend to be ridden more often and over longer distances than conventional bikes, which makes caring for the battery and motor especially important.

Cycling Electric this week reported the results of a survey of 500 Dutch e-bike owners, which reveals a cluster of problems at 16,000-20,000km linked to worn bearings and moisture affecting electronics.

Luckily those problems are not inevitable. A few simple habits can help keep an e-bike reliable for many years.

How should I store my e-bike battery?

Lithium-ion batteries do not like extremes of heat or cold. Storing them in a hot car or a freezing shed can shorten battery life. A cool, dry indoor space is best, ideally below 20C.

If you are not using the bike for a while, do not put the battery away empty and forget about it. Batteries slowly lose charge even when they are not being used, so for longer-term storage, keep it part-charged at around 80% and check it every couple of months.

Can I charge an e-bike battery when it is freezing cold?

Not straight away. If the battery has been out in very cold weather, let it return to room temperature before charging it.

Cold weather also reduces range. That is normal and does not necessarily mean the battery is nearing the end of its life.

Should I store an e-bike battery fully charged?

It is better not to leave a lithium-ion battery sitting at 100% for long periods. If you can, unplug the charger once the battery is full.

If you are not planning to use the bike for a while, it is usually better to keep the battery somewhere in the middle of its charge range than leave it fully charged for days on end.

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Should I let my e-bike battery run flat before recharging?

No. Unlike older battery types, lithium-ion batteries do not benefit from being regularly drained to empty. Repeatedly running them flat can shorten their life.

Partial discharges are better. If you only use the bike for short rides, it is fine to charge the battery every few trips rather than after every ride.

Can I use any battery charger for my e-bike?

No. Use only the charger supplied with the bike, or one recommended by the manufacturer. Mixing chargers can cause charging problems not to mention a battery fire risk.

Is it possible to put too much strain on an e-bike motor?

Yes and no. The whole point of an e-bike is to help with hills and headwinds, but the motors are designed to assist rather than do all the work and they tend to last longer when they are used as intended. For example, on a mid-drive e-bike (the motor is located by the pedals), that means changing down a few gears on steep hills. On a hub-motor bike (the motor is built into the wheel), the issue is long, slow climbs with a heavy load. You can ease unnecessary strain on the system by selecting a very low gear and helping out with pedal power.

On the subject of the motor, if it starts making new noises, feels rough, vibrates, cuts out or throws up error messages, get it seen to. A problem caught early is usually easier and cheaper to sort out than a bigger failure further down the road.

How should I wash an e-bike?

Carefully, using a bucket and sponge or a soft brush. Never pressure wash an e-bike, because it can force water past seals and into the motor, controller and battery connections.

Can rain damage an e-bike?

E-bikes are designed to be ridden in the rain, but it is still best not to store one outside uncovered if you can avoid it, especially in persistent bad weather. As motors heat up and cool down, tiny amounts of moisture can build up inside over time. As seals age and parts wear, the risk increases.

How should I protect my e-bike on a car rack?

If you carry an e-bike on the back of a car, the motor and controls can be exposed to road spray at high speed, which can drive water into vulnerable areas. Covering the electrical components can help reduce that risk. If you do not have a bike cover, wrapping the motor and handlebar controller temporarily with cling film is a quick hack.

Remove the battery first if the manufacturer recommends it, and make sure the bike is secured without straining the display or cables.

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