Introduction
The trend of using e-bikes is growing with time, across the globe. The last three years (i.e. post COVID era) are a witness to this increased usage of ebikes. The general rule about any product or service is that as its usage grows either the quality is compromised or some issues arise due to differences in opinion. One of the hot questions associated with e-bikes (as discussed mostly) on the online e-bike forums is “How much does an e-bike battery cost?”
We’ll try to explore an answer to this question in the lines below.
Importance of batteries in e-bikes
A battery is the most important component of any e-bike. This is because an e-bike gets the force required for its function from the battery. Hence the speed as well as mileage (i.e. distance traveled by the battery) is dependent upon the battery. The more the mileage, the more economical the battery would be during the overall life cycle of the e-bike.
However, to be cost-efficient over the long run, the batteries need to be efficient in technical terms which would imply that they may have a high initial cost.
The evolution of batteries in the eBikes
Previously ebikes used to function on acid-lead batteries which had a small useful life and not-so-impressive technical output. Then the world saw a revolution in power technology and Lithium-ion batteries were introduced. These batteries revolutionized the concept of e-bikes since they reduced the weight of batteries by almost one-third while doubling their charge storage capacity simultaneously.
Lead-acid batteries
These batteries are heavier and older in design, yet they provide a cost-economic solution for e-bikes. Their maintenance is easy. However, their output is limited as compared to the modern batteries. The price of this type of battery for an ebike is somewhere between 40-50$ depending upon other parameters such as brand and warranty etc.
Nickel-Cadmium batteries
Lead-acid batteries were replaced by Ni-Cadmium batteries with ebikes. These batteries make up a better source of energy since they have a better charge density comparatively. Charge density is a technical parameter defined as charge storage capacity per unit weight.
One problem that is common with lead-acid batteries is that their output is not consistent throughout the year and the performance is affected during cold weather in particular. This is not the case with Nickel-Cadmium batteries and their output is more or less equally good during the cold days.
Ni-Cad batteries have a lifespan of 500-1000 charge cycles which is more than double of that lead-acid batteries. The price range for these batteries is comparable to that of lead-acid batteries i.e. starting from 50$ approx.
Nickel Metal Hydride batteries
One problem that is common with both lead-storage batteries and Ni-Cd ones is that they don’t retain charge as well as Nickel Metal Hydride batteries do. The technical experts owe this difference to a phenomenon which is called the memory effect. As per the definition of this phenomenon, if a battery or charge storage device is not fully discharged before charging again, the storage capacity may suffer due to leakage of charge when charge retention is required.
Generally, these batteries are better priced and hence an economic option as compared to Ni-Cd batteries. However, if you are going to use them in place of lead-acid batteries, you might have to make up your mind for a little more expense in this regard since they are slightly more expensive than lead-acid batteries. The price of a NiMH battery compared with a Ni-Cd battery of similar specifications is almost half the price of the latter. Some e-commerce stores have listed this battery in the price range of 20-25$.
Lithium-ion batteries
These batteries have become the most popular for not only ebikes but for e-cars as well. They are suitable for applications where high storage capacity and low power output a desired parameters. As compared to the other two types, these batteries have the best specific capacity parameters i.e. the largest charge storage density. Not only this, but they are more durable as well.
However, they are the most expensive of all the batteries that we have discussed so far (although the difference with Ni-Cd or NiMH is still small). They cost in a similar range i.e. 50$ approx.
Summary
E-bikes have gained much popularity in the recent years. Batteries are the main component of these bikes. The cost of these batteries for e-bikes differs as per their type. The choice of type of battery determines how much an e-bike battery costs. We have listed the respective specs. and prices of some of these batteries which would suffice the needs of our readers.
