How long does it take to charge an electric bike battery?

The charging time of an electric bike battery depends on the battery's capacity and the charger's power. Most e-bike batteries take between 3 and 6 hours to fully charge.

      How Heavy are Electric Bikes?

Electric Bikes are significantly heavier than regular bikes because of the added weight of the motor and battery. However, some models are designed to be lightweight and easy to carry.  Most Ebikes generally start around 40 pounds and with different accessories and larger motors and larger batteries will weigh up to 70 pounds.   Often the cargo bikes can weigh up to 100 pounds.

    Electric Bicycle Battery Tips 

It is pretty obvious that if you use the throttle a lot on your Electric Bike you will drain the battery faster.  However if you always start by using the pedals for the first couple of strokes before using the throttle.  This will extend your battery usage by up to 40%.  When you hit the throttle and the wheels are not moving it takes a lot of battery power to get started.  After you are moving the motor is way more efficient at adding power

    Lithium Battery Care

All of the Electric Bikes sold in the United States are using Lithium batteries.  Lithium batteries if properly cared for can be recharged between 500 and 2,000 times.  Lithium batteries work best if they are kept between 20% and 80% charge.  I do not recharge by ebike battery after every use.  I wait until it is below a 40% charge.  The way I ride my ebike may be different than how you ride yours.  

The battery in your ICE car is probably a Lead Acid battery.  The reason Ebikes are using Lithium batteries is they are much lighter weight than Lead Acid batteries.  Also Lead Acid batteries usually need to breath.  Lead acid batteries work best if only discharged to 50% and charged up fully all the time.    .       

    How Loud are Electric Bikes?

Electric bikes are quiet, but the noise level depends on the motor and the speed of the bike.   Often the motor is just a slight whine.  Most electric bikes are so quiet you can't tell they are powering the bike.  The wide knobby tires on a lot of E-bikes are louder than the electric motor.

     Should I ride an Electric Bicycle in the Rain?

Yes, you can ride an electric bike in the rain, but you should take precautions to protect the battery and electronics from water damage.  They should not be submersed in a creek or pond as the contacts between the bike and the battery will probably short out.  I try to keep my Ebike out of the rain as much as possible.

    Storing your Electric Bicycle

With any bicycle security is important.  They need to be out of sight and secure.  You cannot store an E-bike out in the weather.  The cables and connections are not weather proof.  Many little bolts and connectors will rust if left outside.  

    Traveling with your E-Bike and Road De-icer

When traveling in the winter on roads that have had de-icer put on them do not carry your Electric Bikes outside.  The De-icer will rust the steel and aluminum, and cause the paint to bubble on your Electric Bike.  I have seen an e-bike turn into a rusty old hulk after just one winter trip across the US on the back of a motorhome.  They went over a lot of roads that had tons of de-icer on them.  The de-icer did an amazing job of eating the finish off the bike.  It looked horrible.

    E-bike Security 

Electric Bicycles are a high theft item.  Leaving your Ebike on the back of your RV or vehicle is a great way to get it stolen.  Electronic Tracking devices are a great idea and have gotten a lot of stolen bicycles and e-bikes back for their owners.   U-locks and High Security chains and cables will slow down the thieves but they will not stop them.  A lot of E-bikes get stolen even when they are locked up.
Security at home is important also.  Many expensive bicycles and E-bikes have been stolen out of garages and sheds.  Lock them up.