E-bikes : "And how far will I get with that?", is probably one of the most frequently asked questions by e-bike novices. With modern, powerful rechargeable batteries with lithium-ion technology, ranges of more than 100 kilometers can be achieved under optimal conditions. But such information is relative, because the conditions are rarely optimal and the range is also a question of driving style. In the following ten tips and tricks, pressedienst- Fahrrad explains how to get as many kilometers out of the battery and what else e-bikers should know about the range.
1. How big is that actually "Tank"?
It's a simple fact: The more energy that can be stored in the battery, the further you can theoretically get with the e-bike. If you want to buy an e-bike with the largest possible energy storage, the watt hours (Wh) of the battery offer a realistic indication and a good comparison for the range. "If these are not given, they can easily be calculated by multiplying the volts (V) by the ampere-hours (Ah)", Gunnar Fehlau knows from pressedienst- Fahrrad.
2. Anything that hurts your legs will damage your battery
While cars run most economically at low speeds, you get the furthest on an e-bike with high speeds, more precisely a pedaling frequency of 60 to 70 crank revolutions per minute. In heavy gears with a slow pedaling frequency, the motor has to work harder than the human – that costs electricity. "Here it helps to literally shift down a gear.", recommends Anja Knaus from Flyer (www.flyer-bikes.com). If you pedal too high, on the other hand, the motor is only used very weakly and you start to sweat. "For the coming season, some of our e-bike models will show gearshift recommendations on the display, which, like modern cars, will support the rider in adopting an energy-saving riding style.", reveals Knaus.
By the way: "Brisk, easy pedaling is also much healthier for muscles, circulation and especially the knee joints than pushing heavy gears with slow pedaling", Gunnar Fehlau summarizes the research results of sports medicine, which can be completely transferred to riding an e-bike.
3. Modes make miles
Modern e-bikes have different support levels to choose from. E-bike newcomers are of course willing to be permanently helped by the highest support level. “Sure, it's fun and you feel strong like a cyclist. But that also costs the proverbial grains, which are not stolen from the driver, but from the battery.", says Peter Horsch from the Darmstadt-based e-bike manufacturer Riese & Müller (www.rm.de) and recommends trying less motor support on level stages or completely forgoing the built-in tailwind on longer sections with downhill gradients.
4. He who brakes wastes
Constant decelerating and accelerating also costs energy. It is more efficient to travel at a relatively constant speed. Of course, this requires a forward-looking driving style and the following point:
5. Clever route planning
Since you drive higher average speeds with the e-bike, the longer route, but with fewer traffic lights, can also be faster and more battery-friendly. “Ultimately, I recommend everyone to test ride the main route (e.g. the way to work) with the bike of their choice. You will quickly see whether a battery charge is sufficient for the outward and return journey", recommends Peter Horsch, who himself commutes almost 20 km by e-bike every day.
6. Wheel care equals range
Wherever there is friction, energy is lost – that's the way physics wants it. According to the law, you can also get more kilometers with an easy-running e-bike. “In concrete terms, this means: regularly oil the chain and pump up air. A low rolling resistance and thus an increase in mileage can only be achieved with the right air pressure.", summarizes René Marks from tire manufacturer Schwalbe (www.schwalbe.com) and adds: "One focus in the development of everyday tires for e-bikes is energy efficiency." A real light runner is e.g. B. the new e-bike tire "Durano-E" (from 29,90 euros), which can also be ridden on fast e-bikes thanks to ECE-R75 approval.
7. Second battery doubles the range
If you want to double the range, travel and adventure cyclist Maximilian Semsch recommends buying a second battery. As a pioneer when it comes to e-bike travel, the man from Munich traveled through Australia in 2013 and covered 16.000 kilometers. Thanks to clever battery strategies, he only had to cycle 400 km without electric support.
"In everyday life, you don't necessarily have to carry a second battery with you. A fully charged battery or a second charger positioned at the work site ensures relaxation", says e-bike commuter Horsch.
8. Outsmarting the wind
The recumbent manufacturer HP Velotechnik (www.hpvelotechnik.com) offers the option of a second battery already mounted on its e-tricycles and aptly calls this system "double heart". But there is another point that increases the range of flat recumbents: their aerodynamics. "The range of an e-bike is significantly higher than that of a conventional e-bike with the same e-drive and battery", explains Paul Hollants from HP Velotechnik, who has checked this behavior himself several times.
If you want to cheat the air resistance on a conventional bike, you can adjust the seating position of the e-bike to be a little more sporty: “Height-adjustable stems can e.g. B. be sunk quickly. As a result, the upper body is lower and offers the wind less surface to attack", explains Heiko Böhle, German spokesman for the US bicycle brand Felt (www.felt-bicycles.com), which has both thoroughbred competition racing bikes and sporty e-bikes for everyday use in its range.
9. How much range do you really need?
Andreas Hombach from the street furniture company wsm (www.wsm.eu) is certain that in the future the question will not be about the absolute range, but rather about the energy supply infrastructure. The company already offers clever charging stations for public spaces. "An interesting aspect of range considerations is that half of all trips made in everyday life are less than five kilometers.", adds Hombach.
10. E-Bikes: Not so wild
But regardless of whether you heed the tips and tricks for more range, ultimately the e-bike is and will remain a bicycle that you can also ride without motor support and thus reach your destination even with an empty battery. "In addition to energy efficiency, this is one of the points that makes the e-bike the class leader in electromobility", says Anja Knaus from the e-bike pioneer Flyer.
