So, how does the battery and motor outfit on an electric bike work? And can electric bikes actually recharge themselves as you pedal?

The Batteries and Motor

What make the e-bike unique is the use of lithium ion batteries in conjunction with a motor, to help assist the rider along as he or she pedals. The rider can pedal as they would with a traditional bike, can use the motor to assist them as they pedal, or can use only the motor to power them along; the second and third options rely on a rechargeable battery for power, and during the course of the ride, your battery power will diminish.

Getting the most out of their e-bike batteries, therefore, is a high priority for most riders. For some would-be riders, misunderstandings exist as to just what an e-bike can do, and how it recharges. Let’s clear up one of the biggest myths below.

Regenerative Braking and E-Bikes

One of the most common yet understandable misconceptions is that e-bikes use the kinetic energy generated by normal pedaling to recharge the bike itself as the rider uses his or her feet. While this would be pretty cool, e-bikes don’t actually allow for this yet. What they do allow for is something called “regenerative braking”. You may be familiar with this term being used in the context of cars and SUVs.

Essentially, this technology uses the energy generated when *braking* to recharge the battery. This happens in a car with regenerative braking capabilities, and it can also happen on an e-bike. The reclaimed energy is then transported to the bike’s battery, helping it to regain some of the charge lost through the biking experience. This feature is available on some e-bikes, though it’s rare, and typically found in higher-priced e-bikes. Why is this?

The Motor Behind Regenerative Braking

A key reason why most e-bikes do not have regenerative braking is because of the specific motor type needed the process of energy recycling to work. Most e-bikes have gear-driven motors which are meant to be light weight and relatively simple. They are not designed or internally equipped to re-process the energy generated by braking back to the battery.

A Direct Drive Motor, on the other hand, can handle this, and is the motor type used in e-bikes that utilize regenerative braking. These motors are heavier than gear-driven motors, they can also offer quite a bit of extra resistance if you try to pedal the e-bike once the battery runs out.

Even worse, direct drive motors tend to drain faster, meaning you’ll be more likely to run out of batteries on longer rides, forcing you to drag a more sluggish and heavier bike all the way back home. Having said that, direct drive motors are known for being a bit faster and more durable overall. They’re more complex, and this complexity lends them to being usable for recycling energy back into the battery.

How Much Power Does Regenerative Braking Return to the Bike?

So, if you do decide to go for an electric bike with regenerative braking, how much power can you expect to feed back into the battery through braking? Not a lot. On average, you can expect to recover 5-10% of battery life through braking over the course of your ride. That’s not a whole lot of power, and given the added price tag for the e-bikes that are equipped to recycle this energy, for many manufactures and consumers, the costs outweigh the possible benefits.

The best ways to get extra power when out on an e-bike ride are to

• Store your batteries in a clean, dry, cool environment when not in use
• Balance out your use of pedaling vs. throttle to get the most out of your battery
• Bring along an extra battery pack when you ride
• Post-ride, make sure your batteries have cooled down before you recharge them
• Don’t allow your batteries to drain to zero; keep them at least 20% capacity and then top them up

The Future of E-Bikes

Could we see a pedaling-based regenerative e-bike at any time in the future? This is an undeniably interesting idea, and would certainly allow for longer battery charges on rides and a more efficient machine overall.

Some projects like the Dexquisite’s DX eBike exist which aim to make this dream a reality, and with technological advances racing ahead yearly, it’s certainly possible we’ll see such an e-bike someday.

One such project, the Vello Bike +, claims to be the world’s first self-charging e-bike. That’s a bit of a stretch though. Or, to put it kindly, it’s a bit more complicated than that. The Vello also uses regenerative braking, and recharges itself optimally only when the rider uses it primarily or solely as a traditional bike.

In other words, if you use the Vello’s motor simply to get you moving initially and do nearly all of the pedaling yourself thereafter, the battery can sufficiently recharge itself. Which is great if you plan to get a lot of exercise, but is perhaps not what most of us have in mind when imagining a truly self-charging bike.

Conclusion

As of yet, e-bikes which recharge the batteries through pedaling are not a reality. Options exist to recycle energy generated through braking back into the batteries, but the return on this technology is not very high. Progress is being made, though, and it’s possible that fairly soon, we could see a veritable “perpetual motion” e-bike.

Keep an eye out for indie projects, go-fund-me’s, and new startups over the next couple of years, as one of these companies could make this ideal a reality. Until then, enjoy your e-bike, keep your batteries dry, and ride safe out there.

About the author:

Trevor James is the founder of Electric Bike Paradise, the #1 online retailer of electric bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, electric golf caddies, solar kits, and trolling motors. Trevor has been selling bicycles, electric bikes, and electric scooters online since 2010 and eventually established Electric Bike Paradise in late 2013 when he happened to meet a car enthusiast that introduced him to electric bikes. Trevor spent time searching for electric bikes online but couldn’t find a website that offered a wide selection of electric bikes, scooters, and informational articles. That is why he decided to start a website where everyone can shop conveniently, browse buying guides, and read educational posts. The website is called Electric Bike Paradise.

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Sinch

The Sinch folding electric bike is an excellent option for commuters. It has ample electric power to get you through a long commute and folds up for storage under an office desk. It is also an excellent sightseeing bike that can be packed and taken on a tour of a local wilderness area. A great beach bike, too. It has an extensive range of uses. Read on for some of the best reasons to consider one of these electric bikes.

The Sinch foldable e-bike is best for users with limited storage space. It’s not meant for people who frequently carry their bikes. The Sinch comes in a step-through model and is available in two colors: Moss Green and Bonfire Red. The Sinch is steel, which means it can withstand rough terrain. It has a battery hidden inside the frame. The battery is removable via a latch and key mechanism.

Brompton

Unlike most other folding bikes, the Brompton electric can be folded in less than a minute. Its folding mechanism is simple to operate and feels almost second nature once you’ve used it a few times. You fold the bike in half, tuck in the rear wheel, and flick a lever behind the seat tube to unlock the wheels. The Brompton electric is designed with a third wheel fixed to the rear fender for easy rolling luggage.

A downside to Brompton Electric is that its size is such a constrained space. Folded down, it measures no bigger than a suitcase. However, it’s so small that you can store it in the trunk of a VW Crafter, ID3, or VW Polo. In addition, it is pretty compact when riding, so it’s easy to pack and transport. However, when folded, it’s a bit difficult to ride and doesn’t look like much.

GoCycle

The GoCycle folding electric bike is an innovative, sleek design that folds up in seconds. The aluminum and carbon fiber parts of the body contain a removable battery. The front hub motor, called the G4 Drive, makes 500W and is housed within the front wheel hub shell. Despite its small stature, the G4 Drive packs a serious punch. The GoCycle also carries a rolling bag for easy storage and transportation.

While the Gocycle GX folding electric bike doesn’t come with a control screen, it does feature LED lights for charging and other information. For example, you can check the battery charge level via the Gocycle Connect mobile app, which connects through Bluetooth. In addition, the GoCycle GX features a Light Pipe-type front light directly integrated into the handlebars. Four intensity levels are available, allowing you to adjust the light intensity according to your preferences.

Buzz Charter F

Suppose you’re looking for a lightweight, foldable electric bike. In that case, you might consider the Buzz Bicycles Charter F. The battery is a Samsung 36V model and is beautifully integrated into the seat post. The 7-speed drivetrain and control panel allow you to choose your level of assistance and battery charge. The bike also comes with a bell to warn of an oncoming bicycle. This lightweight electric bike is easy to stow away in the trunk of a car or small plane.

The battery and wire management are both simple and internally routed, but the battery cable is one thing to keep in mind. Picking up the bike with the seat post on may result in the cable getting caught in the seat post. If you have a strong hand, consider holding the battery cable while you ride to prevent damage to the battery. The wire management on the Buzz Charter F is straightforward, but you need to be aware of the battery cable when you’re handling it.

Qualisport Qualibike Volador 6V 7Ah

The Qualisport Qualibike Volador 6V 7AH folding electric bicycle has a sleek, lightweight frame, which you can fold to a compact size. It weighs only 36 pounds and has a fold-away frame that measures only 32.6 inches by 26 inches. The Volador folds into a compact size that’s perfect for compact storage and can easily fit into your car trunk or under your dining room table. You can have your new bike ready for your next outing with just a few simple steps.

The Volador folds up and features a plastic display on its left side. The show is backlit and does not swivel. The collection has the usual controls, including a Power button and an Up and Down button. A simple screen is a handy way to know what speed you’re going. The Volador also features a battery level graphic, which shows the remaining charge in 24% increments. You can also check the timer and distance and adjust the level of assistance with the touch of a button.

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