How Far Can Electric Bikes Go on a Full Charge?

There are many factors that determine how far you can travel on an electric bike on a full charge. These factors include the type of battery that you use, how hard you use the electric assist features, and the type of terrain you ride on, among other things.

Understanding the estimated travel range on an Ebike can help you decide which model is right for you, particularly when it comes to matching the average travel distance that you will ride on a typical commute.

In this article, you will learn how far Ebikes can go on a full charge, and how to maximize the travel range of your Ebike.

What Affects the Range of an Electric Bike?

Many factors influence the average electric bike range. These include the electrical components like the battery capacity and motor power, as well as the non-electrical components like your pedaling style and the elevation of the terrain that you ride on.

Another crucial factor is the weight of the rider and the payload they carry, as the more you carry, the harder the motor must work in order to pick up and maintain speed. Even something as innocuous as tire width can affect travel range, as the increased surface area results in higher rolling resistance and a harder working motor.

It’s also worth pointing out the difference between manufacturer long range figures and real-world figures. Since manufacturer range figures are an estimate, your real-world travel range may differ from what they say. This is because most manufacturer estimates are based on the lowest possible energy consumption, such as using the lowest pedal assist mode on flat terrain.

How do you Estimate Ebike Range?

Before you can estimate the range on an electric bike, it should first be understood that there are many factors that influence the actual distance you can travel on an Ebike.

Additionally, the calculation is quite difficult and as such, we recommend searching for an Ebike range calculator online in order to get a baseline understanding of your Ebike's potential range. With that said, before you use this online calculator, it's best that you understand some basic terminology.

This is important, as there are a lot of different technical terms to cover, and unless you know what those terms mean, then you may struggle to understand what the calculations mean and how to perform them yourself.

For starters, a ‘watt’ (W) is a unit of power, one that measures the amount of energy or effort produced to complete a task. A ‘watt hour’ (Wh) refers to the amount of watts that is produced within a set period, typically within the hour range.

Meanwhile, ‘voltage’ (V) refers to the speed at which the battery can produce electrical force, while ‘Amp hours’ (Ah) refers to the amount of energy that can be delivered through the battery over the course of an hour.

To calculate the Wh of an Ebike, the following calculation is performed: V x Ah. Therefore, an Ebike with a 48V multiplied by a 14.4 Ah battery has a 692 Wh rating. 

How to Maximize Your Travel Distance on an Ebike

There are many ways to get the most travel range out of your Ebike, and most of these tips boil down to making moderate use of the electric assist features. Once you’ve chosen the perfect long-range electric bike, here’s how to get the most out of it.

Choose the Right Pedal Assist Level

Every Ebike lets you adjust the amount of pedal assist that you receive from the electric motor. This means that, when you apply pressure to the pedals, the pedal assist level that you set it to will determine how much assist the electric motor will provide to you.

The majority of Ebikes have an assist level range of 1 to 5, where 1 provides the least pedal assist but consumes the least amount of battery, and 5 provides the most pedal assist but also consumes the most battery power.

Levels 1 to 2 are ideal for flat terrain or longer rides, while levels 3 to 4 offer the right balance of power and energy-efficiency on slight inclines, and level 5 offers maximum power for steep inclines.

As a general rule of thumb, it’s a good idea to start pedaling at the lowest pedal assist level, and then adjusting accordingly based on the situation you’re facing. For example, if you start pedaling on flat terrain then start at level 1 or 2, but once you start climbing a hill then move up to levels 3-4 or higher.

Gently Apply the Throttle

Does your Ebike have a throttle on the handlebars? If so, then you can use it to accelerate without applying pressure on the pedals.

Depending on the type of Ebike that you have, the throttle system is engaged with either a twist or push button mechanism. Either way, once you engage the throttle, the Ebike will propel forward without the need to pedal.

The only downside to the throttle is that it is the fastest way to drain the battery, as the motor is doing all the work to keep you moving forward. For this reason, it’s a good idea to only use the throttle when absolutely necessary, such as when climbing a steep incline or catching a breather.

That being said, you should enjoy the freedom to use your Ebike however you wish, just do so with the understanding that the throttle will reduce your travel range.

Plan Efficient Routes

Where possible, try to plan your route in such a way that it helps maximize the lifespan of your battery. For example, look for routes that let you ride on mostly smooth, flat terrain such as sidewalks and main roads.

Try to minimize the amount of off-road terrain that you ride on, too. This means you’ll ride on surfaces the produce the least amount of rolling resistance, resulting in the most efficient usage of the electric motor. Lastly, look for shortcuts that may help reduce your commute time.

Pump Your Tires

If your Ebike tires are underinflated, then you'll experience a softer ride but at the expense of increased rolling resistance. 

This increase in rolling resistance will result in slower acceleration, meaning that the motor will have to work harder in order for you to accelerate and maintain speed. Therefore, ensure your tires are pumped and at the correct pressure level.

How Far Can Heybike Ebikes Can Travel?

At Heybike, we offer a range of Ebikes that cover a wide range of travel distances. These travel ranges can be anywhere from 45 to 65 miles and higher. In addition, the Heybike Hauler has a dual-battery system, which enables you to ride up to 85 miles on a single battery charge. 

Even still, our range of commuter, fat tire, and folding Ebikes are all capable of traveling long distances, it’s just a matter of which travel range best meets your needs. Feel free to ask our friendly customer support team about the different travel ranges on our Ebikes, so that we can help you choose the perfect match.

How do You Extend the Life of Your Ebike Battery?

It’s fair to ask how long does an electric bike last? Aside from minimizing the use of the electric assist features, there are many other ways to extend the lifespan of your Ebike battery. So here are some tips to help you out:

• Riding in the correct gear – Stick to a low gear when hill-climbing, and a high gear when pedaling downhill.
• Follow proper charging practices – Knowing how to charge an electric bike is vital to extending its lifespan. Try to keep your battery power in the 60% or higher range, and recharge your battery in a temperature-controlled environment, ideally at (insert temp) Celsius. Immediately disconnect the charger from the battery once full.
• Protect your battery from the elements – Although the majority of Ebike batteries are IP65 rated, they are not entirely waterproof. So try to minimize the amount of moisture that your battery is exposed to, which applies to where you store the battery and the weather you ride in. Alternatively, you can protect your battery with a cover.

FAQ

What Should You Do if You Run Out of Charge?

If your Ebike does run out of battery, then you can still ride it like a traditional pedal bike. You just won’t be able to use the pedal assist mode. , nor will you be able to use the throttle. However, you can still ride it like you would any other bike.

Does a Higher Wattage Motor Always Mean Less Range?

Not always. Most higher-wattage motors are paired with higher-capacity batteries, which helps offset the increased energy usage. It really comes down to how you ride your Ebike. The less you rely on the electric assist features, the longer you can ride on a single battery charge.

Do Ebikes Charge Themselves While Pedaling or Braking?

The vast majority of Ebikes are not designed to recharge the motor while you pedal. However, there is some truth to the idea that braking does provide a source of recharging. Some new Ebikes are capable of regenerative braking, which converts the kinetic energy released from braking into electrical energy for the motor.

Make the Most of Your Ebike’s Travel Range

Few things are worse than running out of battery mid-way through a riding journey.

Fortunately, by choosing an Ebike with the correct travel range, you’ll be able to make use of the pedal assist features for the entire duration of each ride. This way, you can reap the full benefits of your Ebike – without compromising on using the features that makes these bikes so unique.

Explore the full electric bike range at Heybike to discover your next e-cycling companion. Whether you need an Ebike for short commutes or endurance trips, we guarantee you will find a model that meets your needs.