Do you like to ride an electric bicycle? What is its range? How far can you ride it in a single charge? Have you thought about these questions while buying an electric bicycle? The range is the most prominent factor that manufacturers like to discuss while describing the features of their e-bicycle to their customers. It is the distance an electric bicycle can travel with a single charge. What are the factors that decide the range of an e-cycle? Are there any ways to increase or improve its range?
This blog covers all the aspects that decide the range of e-bicycles and the ways to improve them. Dive in to know more!
How to Describe the Range of an E-bicycle?
The amount of time you can mount on the charged battery is referred to as the range of an e-bicycle. The best e-bicycle is the one whose battery can have a higher capacity for storing energy.
The average estimated range of an electric bicycle is approximately 40-72 km on a single charge. However, this range depends on many factors, such as the brand of the bicycle, battery size, rider's weight, terrain, etc.
Factors That Affect the E-bicycle Range
Although it is hard to determine their range, some factors can let you decide.
- Weight: The heavier the body of the electric bicycle, the more force it requires to run. As a result, it requires more power and travels a short distance than average. Therefore, while buying an electric bicycle, remember to prefer bicycles that are not so heavy on the body.
- Terrain: Running an electric bike uphill requires more energy than running it on plane surfaces. Similarly, more power is utilised when you ride an electric bicycle over dirt and gravel surfaces. Hence, it affects the range of e-bicycle also.
- Weather and wind: Riding your bicycle in the wind direction will increase its range. However, if you are riding in the opposite direction, you need to apply more force, reducing the range of your e-bicycle.
- Stop-starting: E-bicycles consume a lot of energy when you try to attain a top speed. When you brake your ride, the momentum of your speed gets lost. As a result, you require more energy to return to the same speed. Hence, the range of these bicycles gets affected.
- Human input: The energy use of an e-bicycle directly depends upon the pedal you can make. The more the pedal you make, the less the battery puts in its effort. As a result, its range increases.
- Battery capacity: It is the most obvious factor that decides the range of e-bicycles. If your battery is a lithium-ion battery, it will wear out after 1000 charges or two years of daily use. However, the batteries of e-bicycle do not drop significantly. It gets reduced in terms of power and range compared to when you purchase it.
- Power selection: The amount of utilisation of power utilisation directly affects the range of the electric bicycle. Using a pedal rather than a battery will let you get a greater range.
- Gearing: With the increase in gear, your motor requires extra effort, as it requires more calories. Hence, it affects your electric bicycle range.
- Tire selection and pressure: E-bicycles with slimmer and smoother tires can transfer energy more than off-road vehicles. The tire's pressure also plays a crucial role in deciding the range of the e-bicycle.
How to Increase the Range of E-bicycle?
Some factors can assist you in increasing the range of your e-bicycle. These include –
- While buying an e-bicycle online or from a showroom, select the one that is lighter in weight.
- Fill the tires of your e-bicycle with full pressure. It will give the best power transfer from the tires to the ground.
- Select the right tires that suit your purpose. For instance, select commuter instead of mountain bicycle-style tires while riding on pavements.
- Increase your speed using the pedal. It will reduce the burden on the motor. Hence, the range increases.
- Slow riding the bicycle will let it go further and allow the battery to move for a long period.
- Keep your e-bicycle in the correct running order. It increases the efficiency of the bicycle and ultimately increases its range.
Conclusion
Every electric bicycle rider needs to understand its range. Taking such measures can will allow you to use your electric bicycle's battery for a longer period, and you can ride it more in the future.
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