Cold, heat, wet or snow, the e-bike must be immune to weather conditions to withstand daily riding all year round. Luckily, modern e-bikes are resistant and durable. The frame and components are protected against water and so the motor can deliver its performance even when rain is pouring down. Things are different, however, when it comes to extreme temperatures. Especially on hot summer days or in the cold winter months, there are a few things every e-bike owner should keep in mind.
E-bike batteries are sensitive to temperature. In particular, e-bike batteries are not fans of extreme winter conditions. The reason for this is simple. Icy temperatures have a significant impact on the performance of the e-bike battery. This is because the lithium ions in the e-bike batteries float in a liquid electrolyte.
When the temperature drops, this electrolyte becomes thicker and more solid, which reduces its ability to conduct electricity properly. The lithium ions slow down while moving from the anode to the cathode (and back again). At sub-zero temperatures, performance drops significantly. The good news is that at minus 20 degrees Celsius, an e-bike battery still delivers about half of its average power. On the other hand, most of us fail to cycle in such conditions anyway.
Because the comfort zone of most batteries is between 10 and 20 degrees Celsius, it’s highly recommended to park the e-bike indoors during winter days. Experts remind us to put a neoprene cover over the battery to protect it from moisture and cold.
If you do not cycle frequently, you’ll make no mistake by removing the battery from the e-bike and storing it in-house. The ideal charge level for storage is between 50 and 80 per cent. Moreover, many e-bike batteries have a special mode for long-term storage.
The hot summer days are not good, either. Especially exposing the battery to temperatures above 30 degrees for a long time might end up with it overheating. Even at temperatures as low as 25 degrees, you should never leave the e-bike and its battery in direct sunlight. The same applies to leaving the battery in a car parked in the sun. Excessivelyhigh temperatures can either damage or even destroy the battery.
Similarly to winter days, experts suggest keeping the battery inside for storage or charging. When leaving the e-bike outside, always try to find a shaded place. The overall takeaway, therefore, is this: even though extreme temperatures affect e-bike accumulators, you can prolong their lifetime substantially, which is positive both for your bank account and our environment.
