"What will happen once the cell becomes old?"

It is indeed a good question because the battery of an electric motorcycle is like its heart. And changing it may seem too expensive compared to just refueling the gas.

Here comes the best news. In reality, people usually care way too much about the life of their motorcycles.

Current batteries are made to work for several years, which is way more than anyone can actually use his/her motorcycle.

Let's have a look at the battery life of the electric bikes now.


First, Let's Bust a Common Myth

Many people think that an electric bike resembles a smartphone.

However, the battery life of your smartphone expires in a matter of years, making you think that the battery life of an electric motorbike will be the same too. But you are mistaken.

A motorcycle cell has:

  • A much larger pack
  • Advanced cooling systems (on many models)
  • An advanced Management System (BMS) 
  • Precisely managed charging and discharging

Your cell phone is not, the electric bike was designed to take care of its health every time you use and charge it.


So, How Long Does an Electric Motorcycle Battery Last?

The typical lifetime of most batteries used in electric motorcycles is 8-10 years.

But most manufacturers use charge cycles to calculate battery lifetime. A charge cycle refers to using the equivalent of one cell charge. It does not necessarily have to be done at once.

For example:

  • You use 50% of it today.
  • You charge it overnight.
  • Tomorrow, you use another 50%.

Together, that's considered one full charge cycle.

However, the lifespan of the expensive e-bike battery should be able to withstand 1,000 to 2,000 cycles of charging before its capacity begins diminishing.

This will be sufficient time for the average biker, who covers 30 to 50 km per day.


What Happens as the Battery Ages?

What a lot of people tend to overlook is the fact that batteries do not just stop working out of the blue. They actually slowly and steadily start to lose capacity with each passing day.

Here's an example for you.

When you purchase a new motorcycle, you will have up to 150 km of driving range with its fully charged cell.

But then, after many years of use of the bicycle's range would only be about 130-140 kilometers.

But then again, the bike will run normally as well, the only difference now being that the power of its engine has been lessened.


What Actually Affects Battery Life?

Your electric cell life is not dependent on chance but rather on how you use your bike.

Regular Fast Charging

It is a very convenient way to charge, especially when on a long trip. But depending on it too much while charging results in generating more heat than regular charging.

It is good to do so occasionally, but doing it regularly can lead to gradual deterioration of your cell.

Extreme Temperatures

However, batteries work optimally at room temperature. Heat is harder than the cold.

Wherever possible:

  • Parking in a shady place when the weather is hot is always recommended.
  • Ensure that your bike is not in direct sunlight for too long.
  • Cool down the bike's battery before charging it after riding for a while.

Driving style is crucial.

The electric motorcycle offers you instant torque, making the drive enjoyable. However, accelerating continuously, riding at high speed, and transporting cargo are all other forms of stress on the cell. It is not only safe driving but also low stress on the battery.

Regular Charging Habits

Another misconception is about the need to fully discharge the cell to 0% before recharging. This was recommended for old cell types but not lithium-ion batteries, which are used today. It is better to recharge the cell as necessary, as opposed to discharging it to its absolute minimum. 

Most bikers tend not to keep the power at 100% if the motorcycle is not going to be used for days.


Does Rain or Monsoon Damage the Battery?

This is yet another common worry.

The answer is no, but this depends on whether you are riding a good electric motorcycle. Today’s batteries are waterproof and resistant to water splashing, dust, and moisture.

Riding during monsoon seasons won’t damage the cell. What is truly dangerous is riding through water, washing connectors under high pressure, or charging the motorcycle while its charging port is wet.

With proper maintenance, rainy days have almost no effect on cell life.


How Can You Make Your Battery Last Longer?

Fortunately, maintenance of electric bikes is less challenging than most people perceive it to be. With some simple practices, one is able to make their batteries last longer and maintain their bicycles in good condition. 

Using the charger provided by the manufacturer, not over-exposing the battery to heat, and taking smooth rides instead of hard accelerations go a long way in helping to maintain your electric bike for a long time. 

Also, cleaning your bike from time to time and parking it in areas that protect it from water, dust, and other elements is another way of increasing its lifetime. Unlike gasoline-powered motorcycles, electric bikes spare their owners many conventional forms of maintenance like changing engine oil, among others.

Is Battery Replacement Expensive?

The change or replacement process is one of the topmost fears of EV buyers.

Although the battery is one of the most important parts in an electric motorcycle, its price is decreasing due to advances in electric cell technology and mass production.

However, it is much more relevant that not all owners ever have to replace the cell in their motorcycles, as today’s batteries can last many years.

Also, there are usually warranties offered by manufacturers.


How Do You Know if the Battery Is Getting Old?

A motorcycle will not abruptly stop functioning one day due to the fact that its electric cell is "stale".

On the contrary, there will be certain indications of deterioration like the following:

  • A slightly decreased riding distance
  • Increased time required for the cell to charge
  • The cell losing a bit more charge

However, despite all of this, the motorcycle still retains its ability to function properly.

It simply holds less energy than when it was first purchased.


Is Battery Technology Improving?

Without a doubt, it's happening at an incredibly fast rate! 

Year by year, the batteries used in electric motorcycles become more and more energy-efficient, rechargeable faster, better at dissipating heat, more resistant and durable and able to ensure a longer life. 

Researchers and engineers continue developing new battery materials and making improvements to the battery control systems in order to ensure better performance, efficiency and safety. Consequently, modern electric motorcycles are more advanced than those produced a couple of years ago. When you decide to buy an electric motorcycle now, you make sure to purchase future-proof technology.


Final Thoughts

The biggest misunderstanding regarding electric motorcycles is that their batteries die quickly. On the contrary, the modern lithium batteries of today have been manufactured to be very durable and can last eight to ten years.

In other words, the battery would last for quite some time before deterioration, thus ensuring that the rider enjoys his commuting and weekend rides without having any worries whatsoever.

But what is crucial here is the following question: How much money am I going to save from riding the electric motorcycle?

As battery technology evolves every single year, one thing is certain: the future of riding motorcycles is not about the range. It is all about spending less and having fun.