Electrical bicycles are very handy for those who need a little help on tough uphill climbs, or particularly long distances.
E-bikes are a growing trend and are in high demand. When e-bike batteries malfunction, offering reduced performance even after a full charge, or if the battery life is significantly reduced, a replacement is required.
Here’s a short guide on what to do and how to do it properly: where to dispose and recycle them.
E-bike batteries
Before we get into the questions of durability and disposal, let’s take a look at the types of e-bike batteries currently available on the market. Lead-acid batteries are undoubtedly the oldest, characterized by very long charging times and an unfavorable weight/autonomy ratio. Nickel-metal hydride e-bike batteries are better than lead-acid batteries, but are not yet the most efficient. They suffer from self-discharge and have the so-called ‘memory effect’, which greatly reduces their capacity in the event of partial charging and discharging. Finally, lithium batteries are the smallest and lightest, and can significantly increase e-bike autonomy.
What’s the average battery life of an e-bike?
E-bike battery life is never unique and there are several variables to consider. It may depend on how much maintenance you do, and how often you charge it among other things. The level of pedal assistance you choose will also affect how long e-bike batteries last. The effort the bike has to put in, as well as its speed, will affect average battery duration. If you want to increase it, we recommend you switch as soon as possible to conventional pedaling and keep a standard speed.
How to dispose of used e-bike batteries?
If these recommendations are not enough, and the battery has reached the end of its life, you will have to dispose of it. Since e-bike batteries are considered special waste, they should be treated as such to avoid harming the environment. The first thing to do is to ask your local waste collection center if they are able to take care of it or contact an authorized dealer, such as Accumulatori Gidi.
How to recycle e-bike batteries
As an alternative to disposal, e-bike batteries can be recycled. Many parts of these batteries can be reused, such as connectors, cables, plastic and so on. In addition, e-bike batteries can be recycled using chemical processes to extract elements such as nickel, copper, cobalt and aluminum, which can then be repurposed for new battery production. Of course, for this type of operation you need to rely on specialized companies.
TuttoBatterie, for example, provides an effective reconditioning service, where the internal parts (cells) that make up the batteries are replaced while keeping the outer casing intact