How Cold Weather Affects Electric Bikes?

The weather has been getting colder recently, and riders need to make some adjustments to their riding style when traveling. Cold weather has a certain impact on the battery, components and grip of ebikes.

1. Changes in battery performance

Effect of temperature on battery efficiency

• How Lithium Batteries Work? Lithium batteries store and release energy through internal chemical reactions. During the process of charging and discharging the battery, lithium ions flow between the positive and negative electrodes.
• What happens to lithium ions at high temperatures? There is an electrolyte in the battery, which acts as a medium for the movement of lithium ions. When the temperature is high, the fluidity of the electrolyte increases, the chemical reaction becomes faster, and the charging and discharging time is shortened.
• What happens to lithium ions at low temperatures? In a low-temperature environment, the temperature drop will make the electrolyte viscous or even frozen, thereby slowing down the movement of lithium ions and reducing the efficiency of the chemical reaction, resulting in a poor storage capacity of the battery.

Extended charging time

 

• As mentioned above, lithium ions rely on electrolyte as a medium to move, thereby discharging and storing electricity. When the temperature is low, it will not only affect the battery life and battery capacity, but also the charging time.
• Because the temperature drops, the electrolyte medium becomes viscous, which will cause the activity of lithium ions to decrease and the charging time will take longer.
• On the contrary, in summer, as the temperature rises, the temperature of the electrolyte rises and it becomes more active, so the corresponding charging and discharging times will be faster.

Battery protection advice

Since low temperatures have a significant impact on batteries, you should store the batteries in a warm and dry indoor environment in winter to avoid exposing them to low temperatures for a long time, which will damage the batteries. Overheating and overcold environments will accelerate battery damage.

 

2. Effects of electric motors and electronic components

Effects of low temperature on motor performance

In low temperature environments, the lubricant in the motor may fail, resulting in poor lubrication, which in turn increases friction and reduces efficiency. Some materials/components inside the motor become brittle in low temperature environments, affecting durability and flexibility. When friction increases, the motor needs to consume more energy than usual to operate normally, which increases battery power consumption and reduces the range of the ebike.

Protection of electronic components

The electronic system of electric bicycles is highly sensitive to temperature and environment. When the weather gets cold, in addition to direct temperature changes, we must also pay attention to the damage caused by water vapor and freezing.

• water vapor condensation: When the temperature drops, moisture in the air may condense on the surface of electronic components. This water vapor may cause short circuits or corrosion, thereby damaging the internal components.
• frozen: In extreme environments, ice may occur, and the links and cables of electronic components may be affected by ice, causing poor contact and physical damage, and the electronic system may become unstable or fail.

Appropriate maintenance measures

• Check the circuit connection: Check the condition of cables and connection points regularly. If any cables or connection points are found to be loose, corroded, or have water accumulated on them, they must be replaced promptly.
• Use waterproof materials: In order to prevent moisture from entering electronic components and damaging them, we can regularly apply special waterproof coatings/sealants to electronic components that are exposed to the outside. This can effectively reduce the risks caused by condensation.
• Regular maintenance lubricant: To maintain normal maintenance, in cold weather, ensure that the internal bearings and other parts of the motor are adequately lubricated. You can lubricate the electric bicycle regularly.
• Keeping electronic components warm: If there is enough space, the electric bicycle can be placed indoors to avoid the cold environment, or a heating device for electronic components can be used to prevent the components from being damaged by low temperatures.

3. Tire Grip and Safety Issues

Road conditions in cold weather

In cold environments, the road surface is often icy and slippery. Icy and slippery roads can reduce friction. If the tires do not have enough grip, riding on such roads can cause slipping, and riding safety may be challenged. Therefore, in the case of insufficient friction, it is necessary to appropriately reduce the tire pressure and adjust the tire pressure in time according to the road conditions to ensure riding safety.

Appropriate tire selection

When riding in winter, considering the road conditions, we recommend wearing anti-skid/studded tires. This type of tire can better cope with road conditions on slippery and icy roads and ensure the safety of riders.

Adjustments to riding technique

In cold weather and slippery roads, the road becomes slippery due to ice. First, you need to reduce your speed, because slippery roads will extend the braking distance. Slowing down the speed of the electric vehicle will help you avoid in an emergency. Sudden emergency braking and sudden acceleration will increase the risk of skidding. When turning, the center of gravity needs to be lowered as much as possible to increase wheel grip. When riding, try to keep a safe distance to give yourself more reaction time to face more road uncertainties.

4. Physical structural changes of electric bicycles

• Risk of tyre material embrittlement: Rubber and plastic will become hard and brittle in cold weather. In order to prevent rubber/plastic from becoming brittle in winter, material problems are usually unavoidable, so you can only pay attention to the material as frequently as possible. If there are any problems, replace and maintain them in time.
• Lubricant changes: In cold weather conditions, the performance of the lubricant will change due to internal ice formation, which will affect the fluidity of the lubricant between the bicycle chain and brakes, increase the wear and consumption of the electric bicycle chain, and affect the smoothness and efficiency of riding.

5. Advice for cyclists

• Cycling equipment: 

1. Warm cycling clothing: Choose a cycling warm-keeping clothing with good windproof and waterproof performance, which can resist the cold and keep you dry in snowy and wet weather. You can also adjust the warmth level according to the temperature.
2. Gloves: Hands often freeze in cold environments, so it is recommended to wear gloves that are good for keeping out the cold. However, the material should not be too thick, and the brakes and handlebars should be able to be operated flexibly.
3. Knee and neck guards: During cycling, the neck will be exposed to the air for a long time, which may cause joint problems. Protecting the joints is an essential part of keeping warm during daily cycling.

• Cycling strategy: 

1. Check out the electric bikes: Before setting off, you should carefully check whether all parts of the electric bicycle are in normal condition, especially the motor, battery and tires.
2. Preheating the battery:If the battery has been in a low temperature environment for a long time, you can put the battery in a warm environment to activate it before setting off, and wait for the battery temperature to return to normal before starting to ride.
3. Route Planning: Cold weather conditions will affect the battery life of electric bicycles. When planning your riding route before riding, try to choose a shorter route and avoid riding on icy and snowy roads.

• Precautions: 

1. Range estimation: Low temperatures often cause e-mountain bikes to slow down, and riders should take this into account when considering their range.
2. Driving distance planning: The battery life in cold weather is about 80%-50% of the normal range. If you need to ride long distances, you can carry a spare battery in case it runs out of power on the road.
3. Riding speed and technique: Low temperatures will affect the friction of the road. When riding in winter, you should slow down and avoid emergency braking and turning.

Conclusion

Cold weather can significantly affect the performance of e-bikes, especially battery life, electronic component stability and riding safety. To ensure safe riding in low-temperature environments, users should take appropriate precautions, such as using lubricants suitable for low temperatures to protect mechanical parts and equip batteries with insulation measures. In addition, cyclists need to wear thermal equipment to reduce body temperature loss caused by cold. Plan your riding route properly to avoid prolonged exposure to extreme cold and ensure safe and efficient use of your e-bike.