You’re on a little cruise with your eBike and you look down at the display and see you are at 48.3 volts. I know the first thing that runs through my head is –
Okay, when will the battery die?
The charts below are guidance, different batteries have different chemistry which equates to different discharge rates. The health of your battery will also influence how quickly your battery will die.
eBike Battery Life Percentage Charts for 36, 48 and 52-volt Batteries
The voltage that the battery cuts-out is different for every battery. The charts below will give you a good indication when to start worrying. Look for the LVC or 5% battery number to understand when your ebike battery will die.
| 36 Volt Battery | Percent Life |
|---|---|
| 50.4 | 100% |
| 50.3 | 99% |
| 50.1 | 98% |
| 50.0 | 97% |
| 49.8 | 96% |
| 49.7 | 95% |
| 49.5 | 94% |
| 49.4 | 93% |
| 49.2 | 92% |
| 49.1 | 91% |
| 49.0 | 90% |
| 48.8 | 89% |
| 48.7 | 88% |
| 48.5 | 87% |
| 48.4 | 86% |
| 48.2 | 85% |
| 48.1 | 84% |
| 48.0 | 83% |
| 47.8 | 82% |
| 47.7 | 81% |
| 47.5 | 80% |
| 47.4 | 79% |
| 47.2 | 78% |
| 47.1 | 77% |
| 46.9 | 76% |
| 46.8 | 75% |
| 46.7 | 74% |
| 46.5 | 73% |
| 46.4 | 72% |
| 46.2 | 71% |
| 46.1 | 70% |
| 45.9 | 69% |
| 45.8 | 68% |
| 45.6 | 67% |
| 45.5 | 66% |
| 45.4 | 65% |
| 45.2 | 64% |
| 45.1 | 63% |
| 44.9 | 62% |
| 44.8 | 61% |
| 44.6 | 60% |
| 44.5 | 59% |
| 44.4 | 58% |
| 44.2 | 57% |
| 44.1 | 56% |
| 43.9 | 55% |
| 43.8 | 54% |
| 43.6 | 53% |
| 43.5 | 52% |
| 43.3 | 51% |
| 43.2 | 50% |
| 43.1 | 49% |
| 42.9 | 48% |
| 42.8 | 47% |
| 42.6 | 46% |
| 42.5 | 45% |
| 42.3 | 44% |
| 42.2 | 43% |
| 42.0 | 42% |
| 41.9 | 41% |
| 41.8 | 40% |
| 41.6 | 39% |
| 41.5 | 38% |
| 41.3 | 37% |
| 41.2 | 36% |
| 41.0 | 35% |
| 40.9 | 34% |
| 40.8 | 33% |
| 40.6 | 32% |
| 40.5 | 31% |
| 40.3 | 30% |
| 40.2 | 29% |
| 40.0 | 28% |
| 39.9 | 27% |
| 39.7 | 26% |
| 39.6 | 25% |
| 39.5 | 24% |
| 39.3 | 23% |
| 39.2 | 22% |
| 39.0 | 21% |
| 38.9 | 20% |
| 38.7 | 19% |
| 38.6 | 18% |
| 38.4 | 17% |
| 38.3 | 16% |
| 38.2 | 15% |
| 38.0 | 14% |
| 37.9 | 13% |
| 37.7 | 12% |
| 37.6 | 11% |
| 37.4 | 10% |
| 37.3 | 9% |
| 37.2 | 8% |
| 37.0 | 7% |
| 36.9 | 6% |
| 36.7 LVC* | 5% |
| 36.6 | 4% |
| 36.4 | 3% |
| 36.3 | 2% |
| 36.1 | 1% |
| 36.0 | 0% |
36 volt with s 12 18650 batteries
| 48 Volt Battery | Percent Life |
|---|---|
| 54.6 | 100% |
| 54.4 | 99% |
| 54.3 | 98% |
| 54.1 | 97% |
| 54.0 | 96% |
| 53.8 | 95% |
| 53.7 | 94% |
| 53.5 | 93% |
| 53.4 | 92% |
| 53.2 | 91% |
| 53.0 | 90% |
| 52.9 | 89%% |
| 52.7 | 88% |
| 52.6 | 87% |
| 52.4 | 865 |
| 52.3 | 85% |
| 52.1 | 84% |
| 51.9 | 83% |
| 51.8 | 82% |
| 51.6 | 81% |
| 51.5 | 80% |
| 51.3 | 79% |
| 51.2 | 78% |
| 51.0 | 77% |
| 50.9 | 76% |
| 50.7 | 75% |
| 50.5 | 74% |
| 50.4 | 73% |
| 50.2 | 72% |
| 50.1 | 71% |
| 49.9 | 70% |
| 49.8 | 69% |
| 49.6 | 68% |
| 49.5 | 67% |
| 49.3 | 66% |
| 49.1 | 65% |
| 49.0 | 64% |
| 48.8 | 63% |
| 48.7 | 62% |
| 48.5 | 61% |
| 48.4 | 60% |
| 48.2 | 59% |
| 48.0 | 58% |
| 47.9 | 57% |
| 47.7 | 56% |
| 47.6 | 55% |
| 47.4 | 54% |
| 47.3 | 53% |
| 47.1 | 52% |
| 47.0 | 51% |
| 46.8 | 50% |
| 46.6 | 49% |
| 46.5 | 48% |
| 46.3 | 47% |
| 46.2 | 46% |
| 46.0 | 45% |
| 45.9 | 44% |
| 45.7 | 43% |
| 45.6 | 42% |
| 45.4 | 41% |
| 45.2 | 40% |
| 45.1 | 39% |
| 44.9 | 38% |
| 44.8 | 37% |
| 44.6 | 36% |
| 44.5 | 35% |
| 44.3 | 34% |
| 44.1 | 33% |
| 44.0 | 32% |
| 43.8 | 31% |
| 43.7 | 30% |
| 43.5 | 29% |
| 43.4 | 28% |
| 43.2 | 27% |
| 43.1 | 26% |
| 42.9 | 25% |
| 42.7 | 24% |
| 42.6 | 23% |
| 42.4 | 22% |
| 42.3 | 21% |
| 42.1 | 20% |
| 42.0 | 19% |
| 41.8 | 18% |
| 41.7 | 17% |
| 41.5 | 16% |
| 41.3 | 15% |
| 41.2 | 14% |
| 41.0 | 13% |
| 40.9 | 12% |
| 40.7 | 11% |
| 40.6 | 10% |
| 40.4 | 9% |
| 40.2 | 8% |
| 40.1 | 7% |
| 39.9 | 6% |
| 39.8 LVC* | 5% |
| 39.6 | 4% |
| 39.5 | 3% |
| 39.3 | 2% |
| 39.2 | 1% |
| 39 | 0% |
48 volt with s 13 8650 batteries
| 52 Volt Battery | Percent Life |
|---|---|
| 58.8 | 100% |
| 58.6 | 99% |
| 58.5 | 98% |
| 58.3 | 97% |
| 58.1 | 96% |
| 58.0 | 95% |
| 57.8 | 94% |
| 57.6 | 93% |
| 57.5 | 92% |
| 57.3 | 91% |
| 57.1 | 90% |
| 57.0 | 89% |
| 56.8 | 88% |
| 56.6 | 87% |
| 56.4 | 86% |
| 56.3 | 85% |
| 56.1 | 84% |
| 55.9 | 83% |
| 55.8 | 82% |
| 55.6 | 81% |
| 55.4 | 80% |
| 55.3 | 79% |
| 55.1 | 78% |
| 54.9 | 77% |
| 54.8 | 76% |
| 54.6 | 75% |
| 54.4 | 74% |
| 54.3 | 73% |
| 54.1 | 72% |
| 53.9 | 71% |
| 53.8 | 70% |
| 53.6 | 69% |
| 53.4 | 68% |
| 53.3 | 67% |
| 53.1 | 66% |
| 52.9 | 65% |
| 52.8 | 64% |
| 52.6 | 63% |
| 52.4 | 62% |
| 52.2 | 61% |
| 52.1 | 60% |
| 51.9 | 59% |
| 51.7 | 58% |
| 51.6 | 57% |
| 51.4 | 56% |
| 51.2 | 55% |
| 51.1 | 54% |
| 50.9 | 53% |
| 50.7 | 52% |
| 50.6 | 51% |
| 50.4 | 50% |
| 50.2 | 49% |
| 50.1 | 48% |
| 49.9 | 47% |
| 49.7 | 46% |
| 49.6 | 45% |
| 49.4 | 44% |
| 49.2 | 43% |
| 49.1 | 42% |
| 48.9 | 41% |
| 48.7 | 40% |
| 48.6 | 39% |
| 48.4 | 38% |
| 48.2 | 37% |
| 48.0 | 36% |
| 47.9 | 35% |
| 47.7 | 34% |
| 47.5 | 33% |
| 47.4 | 32% |
| 47.2 | 31% |
| 47.0 | 30% |
| 46.9 | 29% |
| 46.7 | 28% |
| 46.5 | 27% |
| 46.4 | 26% |
| 46.2 | 25% |
| 46.0 | 24% |
| 45.9 | 23% |
| 45.7 | 22% |
| 45.5 | 21% |
| 45.4 | 20% |
| 45.2 | 19% |
| 45.0 | 18% |
| 44.9 | 17% |
| 44.7 | 16% |
| 44.5 | 15% |
| 44.4 | 14% |
| 44.2 | 13% |
| 44.0 | 12% |
| 43.8 | 11% |
| 43.7 | 10% |
| 43.5 | 9% |
| 43.3 | 8% |
| 43.2 | 7% |
| 43.0 | 6% |
| 42.8 LVC* | 5% |
| 42.7 | 4% |
| 42.5 | 3% |
| 42.3 | 2% |
| 42.2 | 1% |
| 42.0 | 0% |
52 volt with s 14 18650 batteries
When is an eBike Battery Dead?
Ebike batteries are made up of Li-ion cells connected in series to increase voltage. The most common eBike battery cell is an 18650 which will charge to 4.2 volts and DISCHARGE TO 3 VOLTS SAFELY.
- Using 3 volts as a minimum, a 36-volt battery has 12 cells in series. A 36v battery will be fully discharged at 36 volts (12 x 3)
- 48-volt batteries will be fully discharged at 39v
- 52-volt batteries will be fully discharged at 42v
But Hold-On – What is the Battery Low Voltage Cut-off? (LVC)
Most eBike batteries have a BMS which is like a little brain for your battery providing overcharge and low voltage protection.
Typically, the BMS will “cut-off” the power at a point 5% or so above the minimum voltage. This protects the battery from dropping too low which will harm the battery when you attempt to charge it.
Did you Know You Can Convert a Regular MTB to Electric?
Bafang a leader in DIY electric bike conversions has a mid-drive kit that will fit on most regular bikes. I’d recommend the BBSHD kit, it’s a complete setup with a huge capacity battery and a 1000 watt motor. Why this setup?
- Heavy duty 1000 watt motor (built for cargo bikes)
- +50 volt 17.5 Ah battery for speed and distance
- Easy installation with provided tools.
If you’re considering a conversion, do what I’m doing get the BANFANG BBSHD 1000w eBike Conversion with Battery
Tips for Increasing the Range of an Electric Bike
Use pedal assist effectively to conserve battery power
By using pedal assist effectively, you can extend battery power and increase the range significantly. This can be done by selecting the appropriate level of pedal assist to match the terrain, adjusting your pedaling cadence to allow you to contribute a little bit of work.
Pedaling on hills and when riding into a headwind will provide the most benefit. The advantage you have over a battery is that you can recover from exertion, while a battery will constantly draw down.
RIDE eMTB Tip: Find out what to do if your eBike battery dies in this article 👉 What to Do when Your eBike Battery Dies
Opt for a higher-capacity battery
Installing a battery with a higher capacity than the original one can significantly increase the range of your electric bike. The higher the battery capacity, the more energy it can store and therefore the farther you can go on a single charge.
A higher-capacity battery has more banks of cells in a series. These banks of cells are connected in parallel vs in series.
The term you look for when buying a higher-capacity battery is the AMP / HOUR or (AH) rating. A higher AH battery will provide a longer ride. (All other things being equal)
Reduce the weight of the bike by removing unnecessary accessories
Imagine how much harder it is to walk up a hill with a heavy backpack on. This is the same with bikes if you see your battery running low. It’s time to shed some weight. If you’re carrying a bag, water bottles, tools or other things handing those items to a friend will increase range.
If you struggle climbing big hills, you may want to consider removing any non-essential accessories such as racks, fenders, kickstands or other add-ons that can help reduce weight.
Improve tire pressure for reduced rolling resistance
Here’s a channel, lower your bike tire pressure down to about 5 PSI and go for a little ride. You’re going to feel like you’re riding through mud.
Check your tire pressure before nearly every ride. Sorry fat tire folks, those big balloon tires are tough on batteries.
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Choose a bike with an efficient motor and drive system
Mid-drive eBikes use the gears to apply power to the rear wheel. eBike motors want to spin fast with the least amount of resistance. If your plan is to constantly ride the throttle shift the bike into the lowest gear to provide the least resistance.
The low gear is going to limit your top-end speed, but you’ll get more distance.
RIDE e MTB Tip: Are you thinking about building an eBike? It isn’t very hard – Heck I’ve got step by step instructions with videos along with all the tools. Check it out 👉 How to Build a Mid-Drive Electric Bike
Frequently asked questions
How does the terrain affect the range of an electric bike?
Steep inclines will significantly reduce the range of an electric bike as the hills require more energy to conquer. Similarly, riding over rough or bumpy terrain can also increase energy consumption and decrease range.
Everyone loves a flat smooth paved pathway when riding a bike.
What is the average range of an electric bike?
On average, most electric bikes can provide a range of 20 to 60 miles per charge. However, some specialized bikes with larger battery capacities or multiple batteries the range can bump up 100 miles.
Should I replace the battery of my electric bike if it has a low range?
If the battery is new and your range is under 10 miles, talk to your dealer about a replacement. If you’re getting over 10 miles, but need to go farther you’ll need to find a higher capacity (amp hour) battery.
On an electric bike, the battery might be the single most valuable item on the bike. (I know it is for me) Finding a higher-capacity battery that fits the cradle might be difficult, as an alternative you can buy a second battery and swap it out on your ride. Which will double your range.
RIDE e MTB Pro Tip: With eBikes growing in popularity learning all the terms and definitions can be a bit overwhelming. Let me help with this comprehensive glossary. 👉 eBike Glossary
Just a Little Bit Farther
Maximize your e-bike miles with these tips! Reduce weight, keep tires pumped, pedal smartly, choose flat terrain, and consider upgrading your battery for extended range. Ride farther, more efficiently and enjoy the journey on your electric bike.
Hi David Humphries here the guy doing all the pedaling behind the scenes with this blog. I’ve been in the MTB world for a while and recently started getting into eMTBs. You can check out more about me HERE and on my other passion project – DIYMountainBike.com