How Far Can Electric Bikes Go on a Full Charge?

What Affects The Range Of An Electric Bike?Whether you are purchasing an electric bike for the first time or upgrading, you are probably asking yourself: what is the average electric bike range? And how can I get the most range out of my e-bike?

Fortunately, calculating the range of an e-bike is easier than you think, and there are many ways to increase your travel range, such as using the pedals more and easing off the throttle a bit – especially when coasting downhill!

In this article, we will discuss the average electric bike riding distance, how to calculate your electric bike mileage, and how to increase the distance of your e-bike range.

What Affects The Range Of An Electric Bike?

The most common factors that affect the range of an electric bike are the battery capacity, rider height, rider weight, terrain, and riding style.

Other contributing factors include the style of the bike and its weight, with components like the frame material, motor power, and type of brakes contributing to its weight. Even the route you take can impact how far you can go on a single charge.

By far, the battery capacity is the most important metric to measure. To demonstrate this, let us take a look at two different Heybike e-bikes: the Heybike Mars 2.0 and the Heybike Brawn.

The Heybike Mars 2.0 electric bike has a 600Wh (12Ah, 48V) removable lithium-ion battery, with a maximum range of 45 miles on a single charge. Meanwhile, the Heybike Brawn has a 864Wh (18Ah, 48V) removable lithium-ion battery, with a maximum range of 65 miles.

Now, while there are many factors that influence the travel distance of these e-bikes, there is no doubt that the increased battery capacity of the Brawn enables it to travel greater distances.

Of course, the maximum range does not reflect real-world conditions. So how do you measure the average electric bike range accurately? Simple. Use the right formulas.

How To Estimate Electric Bike Range

To calculate the travel range of an e-bike, first, assess the battery capacity. For the sake of this article, we’re going to use the Heybike Ranger-S for our calculations.

The Ranger-S has a battery capacity of 48V/14.4Ah (692Wh). This means it has 48 volts and 14.4-amp hours, equalling a total of 692 watt hours. Then, divide the total watt-hours by the average efficiency number. The efficiency number represents the efficiency of both you and your e-bike. It considers your motor power, average speed, and terrain.

We know the Ranger-S has a 750W motor, so that’s out of the way. For the rest, let’s say our average speed is 20mph and on mostly flat terrain. According to industry experts, the average Wh/mi for a 175-pound rider (at full throttle) is about 25, so we can use that figure.

From there, perform the following calculation:

692Wh / 25 Wh/mi = 27.68-mile range

Obviously, this figure is lower than the max 55-mile range. But keep in mind that this calculation was at full throttle, so there is a lot of room to increase efficiency.

How To Maximize Riding Long-range On An E-bike

Now that you know how to estimate your electric bike range, let’s see how we can increase your travel distance on a single charge. There are lots of ways to do it, and you can apply these tips to any type of e-bike.

Choose the right pedal assist level

Virtually all e-bikes come with preset pedal assist levels, which let you decide how much power to apply to the motor.

At Heybike our e-bikes offer pedal assist and throttle modes

• Pure Electric Mode – Uses maximum battery power, requiring minimal manual pedaling
• Pedal Assist Mode – Uses moderate battery power, requiring more manual pedaling

To achieve the right balance of comfort and maximum travel range, adjust the settings to suit your needs.

Gently apply throttle

All e-bikes have a manual throttle on the handlebars. This lets you adjust how much power is transmitted from the motor to the tires. Naturally, the more throttle you apply, the faster the battery will drain.

To maximize battery life, gradually apply the throttle when accelerating, and avoid holding down the throttle at maximum velocity to maintain speed. And when cruising downhill, ease off the throttle and let gravity do the work.
Of course, don’t completely neglect the throttle; after all, you do own an e-bike! So take advantage of the motor to your liking, so you can enjoy a more comfortable ride for longer periods.

Plan efficient routes

If possible, try to optimize your route. Minimize the amount of off-road terrain and steep hills you have to climb. These conditions will require your motor and battery to work harder than riding on flat terrain.

Pump your tires

Flat tires will also force your battery and motor to work harder, as the tires will be unable to efficiently grip the surface and glide over the terrain. Always keep a manual pump on hand or invest in an electric bike pump to speed up the process. And keep an eye out for air leaks, too.

How Far Can Heybike E-bikes Travel?

At Heybike we offer a range of long-range e-bikes that come in commuter, off-road, fat tire, and folding configurations.

Across our whole range of e-bikes, we can tell you that the maximum travel range of our e-bikes ranges from 45 to 70 miles (Pedal Assist Mode). This range is consistent will all our e-bike categories, so no matter what style you pick, you can choose an e-bike that will let you go as far as you want it to go.
Our e-bikes also have a maximum speed of up to 28mph on the motor alone, with the potential to achieve greater speeds with manual pedaling.

How To Extend Electric Bike Battery Life

In terms of the long-term life of your e-bike battery, the average lifespan of these batteries is between 10,000 and 30,000 miles. This figure varies based on the manufacturer and usage pattern, but it’s a reasonable estimate.

There are many steps you can take to extend the overall lifespan of your electric bike battery. These include:

• Using manual pedaling to reduce reliance on battery
• Riding in the correct gear (e.g. avoid riding in a high gear when ascending)
• Avoiding slamming on the brakes (e.g. suddenly going from full speed to a complete stop)
• Charge your battery in a weather-protected, climate-controlled environment
• Unplug the charger once the battery is full

Following these tips can help expand the long-term life cycle of your e-bike battery.

For more information about e-bike maintenance and care, visit our help center. And for all general inquiries, contact us today.