E-BIKE RANGE – HOW TO BETTER ESTIMATE YOUR E-BIKE’S RANGE
How far can I get on my e-bike? Many e-bike riders ask themselves this question. While there is official manufacturer information on the range of each pedelec, many factors determine the distances you can cover on a tour. In this blog post, we will explain what influences the range of an e-bike and how you can better estimate how far you can go on a tour. We’ll also give you five tips on how to improve your e-bike range.
E-BIKE RANGE AND WHY IT’S IMPORTANT
If there is one question among e-bikers that is asked more than any other, it’s the range. This is not surprising after all, the range determines how far you can get on your e-bike, and therefore the limit of your e-bike tour.
Thanks to the latest battery and motor technologies from manufacturers, a lot has changed in the past, so touring cyclists are becoming less and less likely to use their battery capacity to the fullest. But in mountainous terrain in particular, range can quickly become an issue due to the additional power required on inclines. It is therefore important that you always know how long and how far your electric bicycle will provide you with assistance.
FACTORS INFLUENCING THE RANGE OF AN E-BIKE
The range of your e-bike is significantly influenced by six factors: the battery, the motor, the terrain, the external conditions of your tour, the weight of your e-bike and your riding style.
Battery capacity is the most important factor, i.e. the number of watt-hours (Wh). Generally speaking, the higher the capacity, the further the e-bike can ride. In addition to battery capacity, most manufacturers also provide an approximate range for their pedelecs. But be careful – this value is only a guideline. After all, the route profile and your riding style in particular can quickly reduce the range. And there’s another aspect to consider when it comes to the battery – the state and age of the energy storage device also affect your range. Battery capacity decreases over the years and after many charging cycles, so does your cycling range.
The second factor is the e-bike motor. In most cases, a more powerful motor uses more energy. This is particularly noticeable when you cover many kilometers using the highest assistance level, pushing the drive to its limit for a long time.
Another important factor is the nature of the route. The difference this makes can be seen by comparing a completely flat route and a very mountainous profile. In all likelihood, you will rely on the assistance of your electric drive much more often on the mountainous route. This not only costs energy, but also kilometers of range.
To a certain extent, the nature of the route also includes the external conditions, such as the weather. In headwinds and rain, you have to pedal harder, which means that the motor also needs more power. And the terrain also has an impact - higher rolling resistance reduces the range. The motor uses more energy on gravel than on a newly paved road, for example.
The range is also influenced by the weight of the e-bike. This includes not just the weight of the pedelec itself, but also the weight of the load and the weight of the rider. The effect is clear – the more weight the motor has to push, the lower the range.
Last but not least, your riding style also plays a role when it comes to the range of your e-bike, with your chosen assistance level having the greatest impact on your e-bike’s range. If you ride with a lower assistance level, this will automatically have a positive impact on the distance you can travel. But early and regular gear switching also has a positive effect on your range. Even when setting off, you should choose a lower gear to protect the battery and the motor.
HOW TO CALCULATE OR BETTER ESTIMATE THE RANGE OF YOUR E-BIKE
As already described, the above factors can quickly influence and even reduce the range of your e-bike. On an extremely mountainous tour, ridden using a lot of assistance, the range can drop to 50% of the official manufacturer’s specifications. That’s why it’s important to factor in the influence your route profile and your expected riding style might have on the range. This also applies when you’re out and about, so you need to keep an eye on your battery’s SOC throughout your tour. After all, you don’t want to end up standing by the side of the road with an empty battery.
And one more thing: guessing is good, but knowing is better. This is why FIT offers the practical Geo Range function, which you can use with the FIT E-Bike Control app. This software shows you on the map how far your e-bike can take you using the various assistance levels and the remaining battery capacity. The app is available from both the App Store and the Google Play Store . Please note: the Geo Range function only uses one piece of information. External influences such as gradient, weather or terrain are not included. Nevertheless, estimating how far you can travel will be much easier with the Geo Range function..
FIVE TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR E-BIKE’S RANGE
As you have already read, the range of your e-bike may vary considerably. Depending on how often you use it and what you use it for, the kilometers covered can fluctuate significantly. To ensure that you can travel for as long as possible without running out of steam and that you don’t have to worry about the battery, even on a long tour, we have five tips for you:
Tip #1: Find out the range of your e-bike
The first and most important tip is to find out the range of your e-bike. In doing so, it's important to factor in not just the manufacturer’s information, but also your own experience. How far can you get in the real world with a full battery? What influence does the weather have or the route profile? The more experience you have, the better.
Tip #2: Use the different assistance modes
Most e-bikes have different assistance modes. These may vary depending on the manufacturer, but they all have the same goal – they are designed to help you increase the range of your e-bike. When choosing the right mode, always think about the nature of your ride – for long tours, Eco mode is better, whereas Sport mode (High) is suitable for short, fast rides.
Tip #3: Choose the right gear
Another tip for increasing the range of your e-bike relates to the gear selection. You should always try to ride in the lowest possible gear – both when setting off and when riding along. If you frequently ride in higher gears, you will soon see the range dropping.
Tip #4: Avoid unnecessary elevation
The range of your e-bike depends not only on how far you ride, but also on the total elevation you cover. The more elevation you have to conquer, the more strain you put on the battery – and the faster it will run out. So if you have the option of choosing a route with less elevation, you should always do so.
Tip #5: Use regenerative braking mode
Some e-bikes have a regenerative braking mode. This uses the kinetic energy generated during braking to recharge the battery. This allows you to increase the range of your e-bike and reduces the number of times you need to connect your pedelec to a power outlet.
Are you planning a longer tour? The following blog post will provide you with even more information and tips on range:
04.10.2022