Can I Upgrade the Battery on My eBike?
There are a lot of different components that go into making an electric bike and each one is important for its overall functioning. However, the battery is hands down the most important part of an eBike. As a matter of fact, it’s the costliest component as well.
Since the size of the battery is a big factor when it comes to range or mileage, it’s only natural to wonder if one can upgrade the battery on their eBike to cruise for longer distances. If you’ve been wondering the same, just read on. But let’s first discuss which batteries do eBikes use in the first place.
Which Batteries Do Electric Bikes Use?
The battery on your eBike is one of the most important aspects to consider before you make the purchase.
In order to keep batteries lightweight, almost all eBike manufacturers today use thin and lightweight lithium-ion batteries. These are built to last and are safer than other types of batteries.
Even though lithium-ion batteries have a higher price point than many other batteries on the market, especially the previously used lead-acid batteries, they also offer more power and speed.
However, as a downside, lithium-ion cells have a limited capacity and will only last for a certain number of charge cycles before they lose their ability to hold a full charge.
But thankfully, eBike batteries are interchangeable. So if you have a spare one lying around, you can use it when your original battery loses its efficiency.
And that brings us to the next question…
Can I Upgrade the Battery on My eBike?
The short answer is: yes, you can upgrade the battery on your eBike.
If you want to maximize your range and ride for longer, you can upgrade to a larger battery that can store more energy… but the voltage of the upgraded battery must be compatible with the motor and controller of your eBike.
If that’s not the case, you can cause irreparable damage to your electronics.
As far as battery charge capacity (measured in Amp-hours) is concerned, you can upgrade to any size. For instance, you can replace the 36V 10.4Ah battery of the Engwe C20 with the 36V 19.2Ah battery of the Engwe C20 Pro to increase your riding range.
However, keep in mind that though it is possible to upgrade the battery on an eBike, it is not always recommended.
Upgrading to a bigger battery adds overall weight and increases drag. So only consider that when you’ve no option. If you’re just trying to get around town or go short distances, you’ll be fine with a smaller battery.
Also, it is also important to note that you cannot just replace your existing battery with any random battery, as doing so could void your warranty with most of the manufacturers.
If you’re not sure which type of eBike battery to upgrade to, it’s best to consult with the support team of your eBike manufacturer.
Hope it was an informative read!
