How Do I Replace My E-Bike Battery?

The average e-bike battery is said to last about three years; less if it is charged daily, more if it isn’t ridden year-round. Due to the specialized connectors involved and the variety of different sizes of e-bike batteries from a capacity standpoint, replacing an e-bike battery isn’t like replacing the AAA batteries in the TV remote. If only.

The good news is that replacing an e-bike battery is easy and doesn’t require a tiny screwdriver. That said, riders must be prepared for a bit of an investment as the battery tends to be the single most expensive component of an e-bike. Here’s the steps that we ourselves at Best Electric Bikes have taken ourselves to getting an e-bike battery replaced

Reasons to replace a battery

The most obvious reason to replace an e-bike battery is if its capacity has dropped. That is not the only reason to replace the battery, though. Here are a few other conditions to watch for:

• Failure to charge. A complete failure to charge has but one solution.
• Reduced range. When an e-bike battery has lost enough of its range to require replacement, that will show up as not being able to go as far on a single ride or not being able to ride for as many days in a row before needing to recharge.
• Battery is warm to touch. If a battery is still warm to the touch more than an hour after it has been fully charged and disconnected from the charger, there may be a chemical reaction taking place inside the battery’s cells that necessitates its replacement.
• Battery is swollen. If the battery case begins to swell or if an internal battery does not snap into place or detach with ease, again, there may be a chemical reaction taking place, causing the battery to discharge gas that makes the case swell.
• Terminals show corrosion. Should the metal terminals that connect the battery to the e-bike show a whitish residue, the corrosion may indicate a compromised battery.
• Physical damage. In the event of some sort of accident that results in damage to the battery case or the battery itself, it should be replaced.

Necessary information

As we mentioned in our opening, replacing an e-bike battery isn’t like going out and purchasing AAA vs. AA batteries. The connectors are often proprietary, and the batteries themselves are often proprietary. To replace a battery, a rider will need to remove it and gather some info.

• Model number. Most batteries will have some sort of model number printed on a sticker on the battery. It might be a confusing jumble of numbers and letters.
• Voltage. Most e-bike companies seem to stick to a single voltage (usually either 36V or 48V) for their motors and batteries, but sometimes they can vary.
• Amp hours or watt hours. Batteries will generally have either its capacity in watt/hours or amp/hours. This is the battery’s capacity and is an important part of ordering the correct battery.

Ordering a replacement

The first, easiest step is to visit the website of the company that made the e-bike. Most e-bike companies sell replacement batteries for each of their models. The next step is to look up the model of the e-bike in question. Some e-bike companies have a link from the model pages that takes the viewer to a curated page of accessories and replacement parts that are specific to that e-bike.

Failing that, some e-bike companies will include in the product description just which models the battery will work with. Sometimes, e-bike companies will change some of the parts and components on a model when they update it. It may be necessary to consider which version of a model someone has or what year it was produced in order to make sure that the proper version is ordered.

Riders who own e-bikes with batteries from companies like Bosch, Bafang or Shimano can often find those batteries at other online retailers, if the e-bike maker doesn’t have them in stock. A handy trick is to simply Google the battery’s model name along with whatever other relevant info is available, like voltage and capacity. Such a search will often reveal alternate retailers for the battery.

In performing an Internet search for a replacement battery, some search results may include the phrase “compatible with” followed by a number of model numbers. Many e-bike companies spec motors and batteries that are designed and produced by third-party suppliers. These manufacturers will often sell those batteries online. A little creativity in searching always helps.

Recycling

Old batteries need to be recycled, not sent to the dumb in order to prevent pollution. Call2Recycle is a terrific solution and is endorsed by People for Bikes. Also, consult the e-bike manufacturer’s website; they may have an easy solution, like visiting a local bike shop that can package and ship the battery to a recycling center.

Conclusion

Replacing an e-bike’s battery isn’t terribly difficult, but a rider must order the correct battery. Taking some time to get information off the battery or the e-bike’s website can make the process quick and easy.