The Batteries for electric bikes

Type of battery

Lithium-ion battery (Li-ion) :
Lithium-ion batteries are currently one of the most commonly used battery types in electric bicycles. They have the advantages of high energy density, long life, low self-discharge rate and no memory effect. This means that lithium-ion batteries can store more energy, are relatively light in weight, and are able to hold their charge for a longer period of time. In addition, lithium-ion batteries can also be charged quickly, improving the ease of use.
Lithium Polymer Battery (LiPo) :
Lithium-polymer batteries are a variant of lithium-ion batteries that use polymer electrolytes instead of traditional liquid electrolytes. This design makes lithium-polymer batteries lighter, more flexible, and have a higher energy density. However, the cost of lithium-polymer batteries is usually higher than that of traditional lithium-ion batteries.

Nickel-metal Hydride battery (NiMH) :

Nickel-metal hydride batteries also occupy a certain share in the Electric Bicycle market. They have a high energy density and good cycle life, but are heavier and take longer to charge compared to lithium-ion batteries. In addition, nickel-metal hydride batteries are usually more affordable.
Lead-acid battery:
Lead-acid batteries are one of the most traditional battery types in electric bicycles. They have the advantages of low cost and mature technology, but they also have the disadvantages of heavy weight, low energy density and short cycle life. With the continuous development of other types of battery technology, the share of lead-acid batteries in the electric bicycle market is gradually decreasing.

Other new batteries:
With the progress of science and technology, some new battery technologies are also gradually applied to the field of electric bicycles. For example, new battery technologies such as solid-state batteries and sodium-ion batteries are constantly being developed and improved. These new battery technologies are expected to provide more efficient, environmentally friendly and safe power solutions for electric bicycles in the future.

Performance index

1. Safety performance
Safety performance is one of the most basic and important indicators of electric bicycle batteries. The battery with qualified safety performance should ensure that there will be no explosion, leakage and other dangerous situations during use. In recent years, with the advancement of technology and the improvement of standards, the safety performance of electric bicycle batteries has been significantly improved. For example, the release and implementation of mandatory national standards such as "Safety Technical Specifications for lithium-ion batteries for electric Bicycles" have clearly stipulated the safety requirements and test methods of batteries, further ensuring the safety performance of batteries.

2. Rated capacity
Rated capacity refers to the total amount of electricity that a battery can release under certain discharge conditions, usually expressed in ampere-hours (Ah). The battery capacity of an electric bicycle directly affects its driving range. In general, the larger the battery capacity, the longer the range. However, battery capacity is also limited by factors such as battery weight, volume, and vehicle design. Therefore, when choosing an electric bicycle, consumers need to choose the right battery capacity according to their actual needs and budget.

3.Internal resistance

The internal resistance of the battery refers to the resistance of the current flowing through the inside of the battery. The smaller the internal resistance, the better the performance of the battery, and the smaller the energy loss. However, the internal resistance of the battery is not fixed, and it will gradually increase with the use time of the battery and the increase of charge and discharge times. Therefore, when choosing an electric bicycle battery, consumers need to pay attention to the internal resistance of the battery, and try to choose a battery with a smaller internal resistance.

4. Cycle life

Cycle life refers to the number of times a battery can be repeatedly charged and discharged. The longer the cycle life, the longer the battery life. In general, the battery cycle life of regular brands of electric bicycles can reach hundreds or even thousands of times. However, the cycle life of the battery will also be affected by many factors such as the use environment and charging method. Therefore, when using electric bicycles, consumers need to pay attention to battery maintenance and maintenance to extend the service life of the battery.
5. Charge retention ability
The charge holding capacity, usually referred to as the self-discharge rate, refers to the holding capacity of the battery stored in the open state under certain environmental conditions. The smaller the self-discharge rate, the stronger the battery's charge retention ability. In general, the self-discharge rate of lithium-ion batteries and lithium polymer batteries is relatively small, while the self-discharge rate of lead-acid batteries is relatively large. Therefore, when choosing an electric bicycle battery, consumers can consider choosing a battery type with a smaller self-discharge rate.

6. High rate discharge performance
High rate discharge performance refers to the performance of the battery under the condition of high current discharge. Batteries with good high-rate discharge performance can release a large amount of electric energy in a short period of time, meeting the needs of electric bicycles in acceleration, climbing and other scenarios. However, the high rate discharge performance is also affected by many factors such as battery materials and processes. Therefore, when choosing electric bicycle batteries, consumers need to pay attention to the high rate discharge performance of the battery.

Price trend

1, raw material price fluctuations

The price fluctuations of metals such as lead and lithium, the main raw materials for electric bicycle batteries, will directly affect the cost and price of batteries. For example, the price of lead-acid batteries is closely related to the price of lead. When the price of lead rises, the production cost of lead-acid batteries increases, thus driving the price of batteries up. Similarly, the price fluctuations of raw materials such as lithium, cobalt and other metals for lithium-ion batteries will also affect their cost and price.

2. Rising production costs

With the improvement of environmental protection requirements and the strengthening of safety production standards, the production cost of electric bicycle batteries is also gradually rising. Enterprises need to invest more money in the construction of environmental protection facilities, the guarantee of safe production and the improvement of product quality, which will increase the production cost of batteries, which may push up the price of batteries.

3. Changes in market demand

The demand in the e-bike market will also affect the price of batteries. When the market is in high demand, the battery is in short supply and the price may rise; When the market demand is insufficient, the battery supply exceeds the demand, and the price may fall. In addition, with the popularity of electric bicycles and consumers' increased performance requirements such as driving range and charging speed, the demand for high-performance batteries is also increasing, which may push up the price of related battery products.
4, the impact of policies and regulations
Changes in policies and regulations will also have an impact on the price of electric bicycle batteries. For example, the government's regulations on the safety performance and environmental protection requirements of electric bicycle batteries may increase the production cost and research and development investment of enterprises, which will push up the price of batteries. At the same time, the government's support policies and subsidy policies for the electric bicycle market may also have an impact on battery prices.

5. Technological progress and product upgrading

With the progress of science and technology and the continuous development of battery technology, new battery products continue to emerge, such as solid-state batteries, sodium-ion batteries and so on. These new battery products have advantages such as higher energy density, longer cycle life and better safety performance, but the initial cost may be high. As the technology continues to mature and production increases, the price of new battery products is expected to gradually decline.
6. Current price trend
According to recent market observations:
Lead-acid batteries: Due to the rising price of lead and the increase in production costs, the price of lead-acid batteries has increased in the recent past. Some brands and companies have announced price increases, making the price of lead-acid batteries reach a new high in recent years.
Lithium-ion batteries: Although the price of raw materials for lithium-ion batteries, such as lithium and other metals, has fluctuated in the recent past, the overall price of lithium-ion batteries is relatively stable. However, with the continuous expansion of the new energy vehicle market and the continuous progress of lithium-ion battery technology, the price of lithium-ion batteries is expected to gradually decline in the future.

 Purchase suggestion

Focus on battery performance

Rated capacity: Battery capacity directly affects the range, according to the daily travel needs to choose the appropriate capacity.
Cycle life: Understand the cycle life of the battery to ensure that the battery has a long service life under normal use.
Safety performance: Ensure that the battery has perfect safety protection measures, such as anti-overcharge, anti-overdischarge, anti-short circuit, etc.

Consider battery brand and after-sales service

Brand selection: Give priority to battery products from well-known brands, which usually have better quality control and more perfect after-sales service.
After-sales service: Understand the warranty period and after-sales service policy of the battery to ensure that problems encountered during use can be solved in a timely manner.

Adaptability and compatibility

Model adaptation: Ensure that the selected battery matches the electric bicycle model to avoid installation difficulties or unusable situations.
Charger compatibility: Pay attention to the compatibility of the battery and the charger to ensure that the charging process is safe and reliable.

Environmental protection and sustainability

Environmentally friendly materials: Pay attention to whether the battery is made of environmentally friendly materials to reduce the impact on the environment.
Recyclability: Understand battery recycling policies and channels to ensure that used batteries can be properly disposed of

User experience and word of mouth

User reviews: Review reviews and feedback from other users to understand how the battery performs in actual use.
Trial experience: If possible, try a similar battery product in a physical store or with a friend to get a more intuitive understanding of its performance and use.

Budget and cost performance

Price comparison: Compare between multiple brands and models to choose the most cost-effective products.
Long-term investment: Although the initial investment of high-performance batteries may be higher, in the long run, they may have lower maintenance costs and longer service life, so it is also worth considering.