What's Ebike Range & How Far Can It Go

Ebikes are great for taking regular short rides, as they will allow you to reach the destination and farther with the same amount of manual paddling. But bike riders often get confused about the range of e-bikes. They also wonder about the distance these bikes can cover in general. To know more, let's delve into the matter below.

What is Ebike Range?

You can achieve more kilometers until your battery runs out. If the battery has more electric energy, you will get a better range with the e-bike pedal. Electric bikes require a batter, and you can get a heavier one for better range.

Recently, the longest Ebike range is 350 to 400 kilometers, and it will run on a single charge only. Standard electric bikes have 400 to 500W batteries and you can achieve up to a hundred to hundred twenty kilometers on a single charge. On the other hand, the longest range bikes have 3kW batteries which can complete more range than the standard ones. If you opt for simple city e-bikes, they will give fifty to sixty kilometers on one charge. However, the range of an e-bike will always depend on the charge and the external factors are important for the same.

How can you calculate the range of an ebike?

To calculate the range of an e-bike, you can use an ebike range calculator. But before that, you have to know the capacity of the battery. You can measure this in watt-hours or Wh. You will also see that batteries are rated in amp and volts, like an e-bike having a battery of 36V 12AH. To get the measurement in watt-hours, you have to multiply the volts by the AH. So this batter has a 432 Wh battery.

There is another way you can calculate the range by dividing the Wh by the average efficiency number. This may become a bit complicated to do the math because the efficiency rate is only based on the different factors of the e-bike range. But according to experts, the average speed of most 500W to 750W e-bikes should be twenty mph, and on high terrain, it should be 25Wh per km.

So, if you opt for an ebike of the same style, you will get a range of 19 miles from a 480Wh battery. Also, the pedal assistance will be more efficient, as you will find fifteen to eighteen mph for a pedal-assist e-bike. And it will give you 15Wh per km. So, a 480Wh pedal-assist bike will give a range of 32 miles.

You can use this calculation based on the sizes of the batteries to estimate the range in real-time, and you can always adjust the numbers depending on your requirements.

What factors that affect ebike range?

What is the range of an ebike? To answer this question you must know that there are multiple factors when it comes to the range of an ebike. You will find, mechanical, external, and electric factors that instigate the range of the vehicle. Let's have a brief discussion about each factor in this article.

Electric factors

The first electric factor of an e-bike is the capacity of the battery. Once you know the power holding capacity of the ebike battery, you can estimate the range of the vehicle. However, if you are using the first e-bikes that used to run on lithium-ion batteries, the same that is installed in mobiles and laptops these days, you won't be able to calculate the battery power efficiently.

After you have charged it for two years, and you have used it daily, or if you have used the e-bike infrequently, just on weekends for five years, you will find that the battery does not get the full charge. This is the minimum lifecycle of lithium-ion batteries. On the other hand, the battery of an electric bike will not reduce in charge, but if the capacity is reduced, it means the battery does not have enough electricity, and you will get a shorter range. When you finally find out the battery isn't lasting long, you have to replace it.

But when you are using a new battery, you will get a longer range on one charge. You can travel one mile easily on a twenty Wh charge.

You also have to take note of the age of the battery. If it's older, it won't hold much charge, as it used to do when it was new. Keeping this in mind, you have to monitor the charging capacity of the old battery and check if it can offer a better range. Once you find out the lack of performance, it's time to replace the battery.

You will find different pedal capabilities with e-bikes. If you have a pedal-assist e-bike, you have to add your physical power with the batter charge to handle the vehicle. If you only depend on the battery power, it will run out faster.

You have to calculate the combined powers, and then you will get an estimated range for the e-bike. If you learn to use your physical strength and the batter power together, you will get a better range.

Also, when biking uphill or on a bumpy area, you have to use more power and the range will reduce automatically.

These are the factors based on the battery power. It's similar to a car, of the miles you can achieve with one charge. It's important to monitor the miles or time when you are out with the e-bike, so you don't run out of power in the middle of the road.

Mechanical factors

The first mechanical factor is the gearing of the e-bike. If you are in high gear, you and the motor have to provide more effort, it will use more Wh and calories. Balance the gear with the pedal-assist e-bike and you will get a better range.

The next is the bike tire and its pressure. You have to opt for smoother and slimmer tires to get better energy than the alternatives of it. The pressure of the tire is important and if you are using half-pumped tires, it will affect the range of the e-bike.

External factors

You have to pay attention to the load you are carrying on the e-bike. The weight is heavy, it will affect the ebike range score. Your weight will also play a role in the range.

If you are traveling to high terrain, it will require more energy as you are going against gravity. The terrain part isn't only about traveling uphill, it will also affect the range when you are riding on a bumpy road. The range factor will multiply with your weight and the road condition.

Wind on your back can help you go faster, and you can increase the range too, but if the weather is not showing mercy as the wind is blowing on your face, you have to face a hard time with the pedal-assist e-bike. Also, wet surfaces will hinder the range, and you have to provide more power to push the e-bike. In addition, your e-bike might stop midway, and you might have to face trouble restarting it.

If you are using a pedal-assist e-bike, then the harder you input your strength the slower the vehicle will use the energy. This will increase the range. Therefore, the less you use your energy, the e-bike will use the battery, and the range will reduce as well.

Tips to increase your ebike range

So how to increase the ebike range? You already know the calculation method and the factors that affect the range of the vehicle. Now, you need to know about some tips on increasing the range of the e-bike. Let's take a look at the six points below.

• Lose your weight: Even if you are not carrying something heavy, your bike range is slower than it should be. It can be your weight. So, you need to lose some extra weight before you ride the e-bike.
• Fully pumped bike tires: Make sure the tires are fully pumped before going for a ride. Full pressure on the tires will provide better power on the ground.
• Choose the right tires: you must choose slimmer tires and make sure of the quality of the product. You can consider buying commuter tires, which are slimmer than mountain bikes and will give better range.
• The right pedal-assist level: Match the pedal assist level with the desired speed. This will reduce the pressure on the motor and you won't have to use physical strength to push the vehicle to become faster.
• An oiled and clean drivetrain: Ebikes run on the drivetrain, and you have to keep it oiled and in good condition. Only this way you can get smooth and efficient rides.
• Ride slower: Try not to increase the speed, as you know that the tortoise won the race even though it was slower than the rabbit. Apart from the tale, you need to be safe and careful while riding an e-bike on the road.

Conclusion

Ebikes are useful for faster and shorter rides. But the range of it depends on your physical strength and the battery power. If you are using a pedal-assist bike, you need to remember that the battery isn't infinite, and you have to put some of your power to maneuver the vehicle.