No, electric bikes don’t charge themselves. Most run on an electric battery that requires charging via an electrical outlet.
Electric bikes can do some amazing things, but charging themselves isn’t one of them.
Here, we break down some of the basics about how electric bikes recharge.
The Power of an E-Bike
The heart of an e-bike is the motor. It’s the difference between an electric bike and traditional bikes, and it changes biking in some amazing ways. It means you can take off on countless journeys without dreading an exhausting ride home. It means you can get all the exercise you want, but each journey doesn’t have to be an arduous, sweat-inducing journey. It makes biking an authentically moving, liberating experience that’s less about winning a race and more about enjoying all the little moments along the ride.
Charge bikes feature weatherproof, removable batteries that can be locked into place on your bike when they’re not charging. Our Comfort and City bikes feature 418WH Lithium ion batteries, while the XC boasts a Shimano E8035 504WH integrated battery.
To charge the batteries, you can simply plug one end of the charger into an electrical outlet that’s convenient and the other end into the charging port on the battery. For convenience, all Charge bikes can be charged on or off the bike. Depending on the model, it will take between 2.5-3 hours to reach 80 percent battery capacity and between 5-7 hours to reach a full charge.
Once the battery is charged, you’re ready to roll—and you can roll quite a distance. While there are some factors that affect how far you can go—things like how much pedal assist you use and the terrain you’re covering— in general, Charge bikes are good to go for up to 50 miles after a single charge.
If you’ve heard about bikes that charge while you’re riding, they’re likely talking about those that use regenerative braking in which the battery gets a bit of a charge when you apply the brake. However, it’s only used in bikes with larger, direct-drive motors and those with no gears. There are several potential problems with this mode of charging too, including the fact that extra heat from regenerative braking may cut down a battery’s longevity.
Regenerative braking is generally only included in bikes with the most expensive price tags. While the increased efficiency may be a bonus, many say it’s not enough to make the price tag and other worries worth it. Also, bikes that use regenerative braking still need to be charged via an electrical outlet as well.
Finding Your Ride
So, now that you understand how e-bikes charge, how do you go about finding the right one for you? There are a number of factors to consider such as the levels of pedal assist, a bike’s cost and the style, but the biggest factor to consider is your lifestyle.
At Charge, we make a small but mighty line of stylish, comfortable, affordable, and durable e-bikes for people who want an easier and more enjoyable way to ride through the hills and valleys of life. Each of our three models was designed with a specific rider in mind.
- The City is our electric hybrid bike made for urban life and commuting. It features five levels of pedal assist and a throttle that gives you the option to kick up your heels and coast.
- The Comfort is our everyday electric cruiser bike that makes it a pleasure to get around. It also features five levels of pedal assist and a throttle, so you have ultimate control over your ride. You can zip where you’re going quickly or cruise leisurely and take in the sights as you go.
- The XC is our rugged electric off-road bike that provides a passport to adventure. With big, grippy, fat tires, tough shocks and a Shimano motor to flatten the rough stuff, the XC E-Bike is ready to take you where you want to go.
None of them charge themselves without electrical energy, but any Charge bike has the power to transform your life in all the best ways.