How many kilometers can I travel with an electric bike?

How many kilometers can I ride an electric bicycle?

It is a question that we hear every day in our offices and that the user of an electric bicycle is very aware of, but it requires a more complex answer than a simple figure. The calculation of autonomy of any vehicle, including electric bicycles, responds to a very simple formula that is given by the amount of energy available to us, the speed at which we travel and the energy consumption of the vehicle.

What range can I expect from an electric bicycle?

Let's take an example with one of our electric bicycles.

Let's suppose we have purchased a Legend Monza with a 36V 10.4Ah battery. Well, the amount of energy we have available is 36V x 10.4Ah = 374.4Wh. If we establish a consumption of 5Wh per kilometer to maintain a speed of 25 km/h, the equation is simple:

Range = Capacity/Consumption

➞ Range = 374.4/5 = 74.9Km

However, adapting the model to reality requires many factors to be taken into account. The difficulty lies in the fact that the consumption of the bike cannot be accurately predicted.

… and more important factors

Another factor to consider is the weight that the motor will move. Once again, estimates are based on standards considered “usual” which are the weight of the electric bicycle plus the weight of the rider. These values are in weights of 20 kilograms for the electric bicycle and 70/80 kilograms for the individual.

In addition, if the routes we travel with the bike have many stops, for example, traffic lights, the autonomy will suffer because it produces a very high consumption to get from a standstill to a speed of 25 km/h.

Let's give you an example of customers thinking

In one case, a customer sent a complaint to our technical department to demand an immediate battery replacement, as he was unable to cover the distances specified in the catalog. The battery was shipped and when the allegedly defective battery was picked up, it was analyzed, obtaining somewhat disconcerting results, since the battery was working properly. A few days later the customer called us again with a monumental dissatisfaction since the new battery did not reach the 70/80 kilometers specified, and it was then when we decided to find out what was really going on. The customer insisted that he was driving in the city and that the unevenness of the road was rare, and although he always used the maximum assistance, it was not logical that the drop in kilometers per battery charge was so considerable. In the end, it was found that the customer was 1.95 cm tall and weighed 122 kilos, making it impossible to cover 70/80 kilometers on a single charge.

This is why when we purchase an electric bicycle battery, we cannot know exactly how many kilometers per charge it will travel, but we can estimate a figure taking into account all of the above. If you still think that your range isn't enough, feel free to contact us!