Last Updated on August 6, 2022 by Editorial Staff
While buying an electric bike, a question may arise in your mind: how much power you will need. There are different power-rated electric bikes you will find on the market. For that, it could be challenging for you to choose the right powered one.
However, it’s crucial to know that not all electric bikes are made with the same features. Typically, the higher the watts, the higher your electric bike power will be. The wattage of your electric bike can be easily determined by a simple calculation.
The calculation is multiplying the amps of the controller and the voltage of the battery. Check out the entire context to know more about the power required for your electric bike.
What Is an Electric Bike?
An e-bike or electric bike is like a regular bike but equipped with a battery-operated motor. The motor offers additional power if you don’t want to pedal full-load. As a result, the bike will move without too much peddling. This way, you can travel much farther with pedal assist. Also, with an electric bike, you can obtain good pedaling speeds that you wouldn’t get on a regular bike.
There are several levels of electric assistance that you will get with an electric bike. Using Throttle Assist Power Boost will make this bike easy to do from a little push to heel riding. For these features, most people turn to this type of electric bike.
However, you will find numerous electric bikes in different designs, bands, and prices on the market. The most common electric bike’s prices range from $400 to $2000 with different wattage. But if you’re a newbie, you can purchase a 750 Watt Electric Bike that will offer you a suitable riding speed. Besides, with this bike, you can perform all maneuverability.
Main Components of an Electric Bike
Although an electric bike seems to be a regular bike, it contains different additional components. These components function together to turn the bike wheels. Typically, the main parts of an electric are a motor, battery, sensor, controller, and so on. Below, we have presented a brief explanation of these components.
Motor
An electric bike is equipped with a motor that may have been installed in various locations. The location of the motor is very crucial to perform the bike properly. The primary work of this motor is to provide power when you pedal. The more robust the motor, the faster you can ride. There are different motors you will find ranging from 200W to 1,000W.
Battery
A battery will be found on every electric bike, mounted in various places according to the bike class and shape. This battery usually powers the motor to turn the bike’s wheels. The stronger the battery, the more time you have to ride. Typically, the battery capacity mainly depends on the brand, model, and type. You will find two types of electric bike batteries on the market: sealed lead-acid batteries and lithium-ion batteries.
Sensors
The sensor is a crucial component of an electric bike. Most of the bikes have two types of sensors. These two sensors are:
- Speed Detector: This sensor automatically turns on the motor when you start pedaling. This will help you get pedal support.
- Power Detector: It is a modern sensor type that helps you meet your speed when you ride an electric bike. This sensor is very helpful for performing maneuverability.
Controller
Controllers come in different designs and styles, which is crucial for knowing how an electric bike functions. Most of the time, the controller is installed on the bike’s handlebar. Below are the widely used pedal-activated controllers:
- Pedal-activated: This type of controller offers electric help when you push the pedals. As a result, you can turn on the motor by simply pedaling.
- Throttle-based: These controllers are designed with a straight mechanism. You can easily get electric assistance with just a single to retract or push.
Why Does Wattage Matter for an E-Bike?
The watts help determine an electric bike’s possible speed and performance with voltage and amp-hours. You can easily determine how long you can ride with any bike’s watts. This way, it will be easy for you to estimate how much power you will need on an electric bike.
Typically, the motor power wattage enables you to calculate the watt-hours for your bike. Motors with higher watts will require long-lasting and powerful battery support. However, the watt is calculated from the motor controller’s amps and the battery’s voltage. For example, if you have an electric bike with a 24 amp controller and a 55-volt battery, it will generate an ideal wattage of:
55 volts x 24 amps = 1320 watts (calculated power).
Besides, the nominal motor watts will be multiplying this value by 0.75 or 75%.
1320 x 0.75 = 990 watts (nominal power).
You can also measure watt-hour by multiplying the battery’s voltage by its amp-hours. For example, a 55-volt battery with 15 amp hours will generate:
55 volts x 15 amp-hours = 825 watt-hours.
With this wattage, you can easily estimate how long a bike’s battery can last at full acceleration. For that, you just have to divide the watt-hours by the nominal motor watt.
825 ÷ 990 = 0.833 hours
To calculate how many minutes the battery will last, you have to multiply the above value by 60.
0.833 hours x 60 minutes = 50 minutes
The value represents the bike running continuously at full throttle. You can also extend battery life by pedaling more or minimizing the use of the motor. So, battery voltage makes a good impact on the overall riding time on your bike. Higher voltage refers to more power supply to your bike’s motor.
As a result, you can ride your bike for an extended time. So, if you have a premium bike, you should use a 48 or 52-volt battery. Besides, you can use a higher voltage battery in a lower voltage required bike to extend the performance. Most electric bike motors allow for a particular amount of voltage overage before breaking down.
How Much Power Do You Need?
There are numerous wattage electric bikes available on the marketplace. Below, we have demonstrated how much power you will need for an electric bike.
250 watt e-bike
These electric bikes are most commonly used and known as the lowest power class bike. The 250-watt e-bike is built for land cruising with a simple design. Their compact design needs a small battery to reduce the bike’s overall weight. That means this bike is suitable for riding on flat surfaces with a person up to 90 kg in weight. For that, this type of bike is the ideal option for daily transport.
350 watt e-bike
350-watt e-bikes are budget-friendly bikes with high performance. These bikes are mostly used in models when you require more speed and torque. These bikes are found in the top range of type 1 and mid-range of type 2 and 3 bikes. Compared to 250-watt bikes, this bike enables you to ride on hills with top speed and acceleration. Besides, you don’t have to worry about the risk of motor failure as it supports heavy loads.
500 watt e-bike
These types of bikes offer high performance, efficiency, and speed. Unlike the above two types of bikes, 500-watt bikes are heavier, longer range per charge, and are fast. With this bike, you can ride with a speed range of 25 to 30 mph. As a result, you will get more torque and power so that you ride fast on both flat terrain and uphill tracks. These bikes are suitable for those who want to ride long distances.
750 watt e-bike
750-watt bikes are the most powerful and versatile e-bikes. This bike uses the maximum permissible wattage motor in the US. Compared to other bikes, 750-watt bikes are heavy-duty with their wide tires, powerful motor, and metal frame. Although the riding speed of these bikes is 28 mph, in reality, you can ride 30-32 mph. Riding uphills on this electric bike is quite good and comfortable.
1000+ watt e-bikes
These bikes are designed with extra comfort and high durability. Besides, you will get the highest power, speed, range, acceleration, and so on. These premium bikes offer the best riding experience that is quite expensive too. With these bikes, you can ride at the speed of 45 mph. Besides, these fastest electric bikes have wide tires that provide more grip and traction even on the flat surface.
Do Electric Bikes Charge When You Pedal?
It completely relies on your electric bike and its power function. Typically, an electric motor produces electricity when it is rotated by something else. This is how an engine functions. Most bikes have motors and controllers that can recharge the battery reversely. This occurs when the motor isn’t supplying electricity but is rotating, like going downhills or if you’re pedaling without assistance.
This is because the motor uses electricity while you are riding with the pedal support. Although all-electric bikes don’t offer this feature, you will find some bikes with rechargeable pedals. Typically, this feature is uncommon on e-bikes under $500. And you will find this feature on bikes between $500 – $1000 and above.
Conclusion
There are different power electric bikes you will find on the marketplaces. From 250 watt electric bikes to massively powered 1000+ watt bikes. Choosing the right powered e-bikes for this wide range will be challenging for anyone. Then, how can you understand how much power is right for you? For that, in this context, we have presented a complete guideline on different powered electric bikes. These will help you to pick the right electric bike that can meet your needs.