How Often to Charge Electric Bikes

If you are reading this, chances are that you are currently, or are about to be, the proud owner of an electric bike. Maybe you’re going all out with a cruiser-style e-bike, or maybe you’re an adventurous rider looking for an e-bike for rougher terrain–but, how often should you be charging your electric bike to maintain optimal battery health and performance?

You might not want to hear this, but there is no definitive answer on how often you should charge your electric bike. It all depends on your usage, your battery’s health, and the battery your bike comes with.

Make and Model

While there are certain factors to keep in mind that will affect how often you charge your bike’s battery, the big ones are your bike’s make and model. The type of battery, power, and capacity your bike comes with will affect how often you need to charge it. 

While all electric bikes come with batteries, they are not all the same. Most come equipped with lithium-ion batteries, and the beauty of lithium-ion batteries is their lifespan. With regular use and regular charging, these batteries tend to last longer. 

It is important to consult with your manufacturer to confirm the type of battery your e-bike comes with. Your manufacturer might have specific advice on how to prolong the life of your battery and get the most usage out of each charge. If you own a Ride1UP electric bike or are considering purchasing one, our team can answer any questions you may have and provide you with in-depth insight on how to properly care for and charge your battery. 

Charge as Needed

Do you typically wait for your cell phone to die and then charge it? Chances are that you plug it in whenever you see it’s below a certain percentage. You might not be using your phone at that specific moment, but you probably want to have it charged if you need to use it later, right? 

The same goes for your electric bike. You don’t need to let your bike’s battery completely get to zero before charging it, and you definitely should not let it sit at zero if you know you’ll want to ride it the next day. How often you charge your bike will depend on how often you use it–it’s okay to get into the habit of charging your bike’s battery whenever you see it sitting somewhere between 30% and 60%.

Battery Health

Batteries don’t last forever. Over time, their capacity decreases until they need to be replaced. Most e-bike batteries last about 500-800 full-charge cycles; after 500 cycles, you might notice your battery’s capacity slowly begin to decrease. The overall capacity will continue to decrease throughout the lifespan of the battery.

In Conclusion

By understanding your particular e-bike model and its battery and by making sure it’s staying regularly charged, you can be sure your e-bike’s battery will stay as healthy and last as long as possible. Of course, for expert advice on maintaining your e-bike’s overall performance and longevity, the professionals at Ride1Up are ready to help!

Wondering how to charge an electric bike battery at home, or maybe looking for tips on how to lock an electric bike? We’ve got you–check out our recent posts.