The battery is the heart of an e-bike and the part buyers understand least. Five minutes here will help you compare bikes properly and get years out of your battery.
Two e-bikes can look identical and ride completely differently because of the battery. Once you understand three simple numbers, you can compare any two bikes properly and look after yours so it lasts for years.
Volts, amp-hours and watt-hours
- Volts (V) is like the pressure of the system. Higher voltage (say 48V) generally means more punch and efficiency than a lower-voltage (36V) bike.
- Amp-hours (Ah) is how much charge the battery holds. Bigger Ah means a bigger tank and more range.
- Watt-hours (Wh) is the one that really matters, and it is just Volts x Amp-hours. It is the honest, apples-to-apples measure of total energy.
When you compare bikes, compare watt-hours, not just "48V" or "20Ah" on their own. A 48V 20Ah battery (960Wh) holds far more than a 36V 10Ah battery (360Wh), even though both are "a lithium battery".
How to make your battery last
Lithium batteries are happiest when they are looked after. None of this is hard:
- Avoid living at 0% or 100%. Topping up before it is flat is better than always draining it dead. For long storage, leave it around half charged.
- Keep it cool. Heat is the enemy. Do not store or charge it in a hot car or in direct sun.
- Use the supplied charger. Always charge with the correct charger for your battery, and unplug once it is full.
- Charge somewhere safe. Charge on a hard surface, not on a bed or couch, and where you can see it, not overnight unattended if you can help it.
- Store it dry. If you are not riding for a while, store the battery indoors, dry and at a moderate temperature.
A note on battery safety
You may have seen news stories about cheap lithium batteries causing fires. The lesson is not "batteries are dangerous", it is buy quality gear and charge it sensibly. A reputable battery, the right charger and the simple habits above are what keep e-bikes safe, and they are safely enjoyed by huge numbers of Australians every day.
Compare bikes on watt-hours. Charge with the right charger. Keep it cool and never fully empty. Do those three things and your battery will look after you.
What we run, and what is covered
Our e-bikes are built around 48V 20Ah (960Wh) batteries for real day-out range, and every bike is backed by a 12-month warranty plus your full rights under Australian Consumer Law. If you ever have a question about charging or care, there is a real Australian on the phone to help.
Ready to choose? The full e-bike range lists each battery and range, or start with our range guide.
General guidance only. Always follow the specific charging and storage instructions supplied with your battery and charger.
FAQs
What do volts and amp-hours mean on an e-bike battery?
Volts (V) is roughly the pressure of the system and higher usually means more punch. Amp-hours (Ah) is how much charge it holds. Multiply them to get watt-hours (Wh), which is the true measure of total energy and the best number to compare bikes on.
How do I make my e-bike battery last longer?
Avoid regularly draining it to empty or leaving it at full for long periods, keep it cool and out of hot cars or direct sun, always use the supplied charger and unplug when full, and store it indoors and dry at around half charge if you are not riding for a while.
Are e-bike batteries safe?
Quality e-bike batteries charged sensibly are safely used by huge numbers of Australians every day. The key is to buy reputable gear, always use the correct charger, and charge on a hard surface where you can keep an eye on it. Our batteries are backed by a 12-month warranty plus your ACL rights.
What size battery do your e-bikes use?
Our e-bikes run 48V or 52V 20Ah batteries, roughly 960 to 1,040 watt-hours, sized for real day-out range of 60 to 70km depending on the model and how you ride.