Can You Use an E-bike Without a Battery?

Did you know that the electric bike industry is going to be a 38-billion-dollar project by 2025? It wouldn't be wrong to conclude that the future of public transportation lies in electric bikes. E-bikes seem to be very convenient and don’t require fuel, which is why they are one of the most economical methods of traveling. 

However, what is going to happen when you battery runs out? Its shelf life won't last as long as you think it will - so what do you do in that case? Is the whole bike unusable now? Is the bike still useful even without the battery?

Yes! You can definitely use the electric bike and ride it even if the battery is empty - the motor won't suffer, no worries. The whole process of battery removal will be a little bit annoying, though, and might be a challenge for some. It will add extra weight to your bike when you are pedaling up an inclined section of your path without any assistance.

Should I Use An E-bike Without Its Battery?

One of the advantages of e-bikes is that they make riding an easy and fun activity by assisting you when needed. The battery powers the motor, and the motor gives you the needed boost whenever you feel like taking a little rest.

However, there are several situations where you might not want to use the battery.

When You Require Extra Exercise

Riding a bike is a fantastic way to keep yourself in shape and make sure your body is moving enough. However, the amount of exercise is reduced if you are using the help supplemented by your motor. To avoid this and keep yourself in prime shape, you might want to remove the battery and use it only occasionally, when you feel like the exercise you're getting is beneficial and needed. Obviously, when you're not using the battery, movement will effort since you will be pedaling. 

When the Battery Goes Flat

Sometimes, the battery might not be fully charged,  meaning you’re left with an empty battery after a short period of usage. This is also called a flat battery the same way you would refer to a flat tire. Sometimes you might embark on a long ride that will go over the battery’s range. If your battery runs out of power in the middle of the journey and you simply don't have the time to wait for charging, you cal always remove it and continue to ride. One of the possibilities is also the one where you simply forget to reinstall the battery after removing it or recharging it, which means that you have to work without it.

When You Want to Catch  a Plane

Almost all airlines have a safety policy that only allows a certain capacity limit for electric bike batteries inside the plane. Generally, most standard batteries on the e-bikes you see on the streets are over this limit. If you want to travel with your e-bike by plane, you cannot bring your battery with you, but you can bring your bike into the luggage area without it. At your destination, you can easily look for replacements for the battery. 

When Your Bike is Above the Weight Limit

When you weigh an electric bike with and without the battery, you will notice that it makes up most of its weight. Sometimes you might have to remove it in order to remove the extra weight since many airlines and other services sometimes have weight limits. For example, your bike might be over the weight limit when it comes to airport luggage, and you'll have to pay for more transport or get rid of the battery. In such a case, it's more profitable to leave the battery behind and ride without it.   

Does Riding an E-bike with a Missing Battery Affect the Bike? 

It's very logical that you are worried about the safety of your device. The good thing about riding your bike without a battery is that it causes no harm or damage at all. However, the experience will totally be different and you must be prepared to put in extra work to ride the bike. Some of the factors leading to this include: 

Weight of the E-bike

It makese sense that removing a heavy component like the battery reduces the weight of the bike, right? Ironically, you'll feel as if it is heavier to work with because there will be no assistance from the power source and you'll have to pedal on your own. The task of propelling the bike forward is solely dependent on your pedaling effort. 

Typically, you can expect about 50 pounds of weight from an electric bike, compared to the 18 pounds of a traditional bike. The weight difference is obviously the battery (as well as the motor), which makes an electric bike quite a heavy package. However, the action of the motor makes this weight generally manageable and almost inconsequential. 

So keep in mind, getting rid of the battery will consenquently give you more work. You may not be able to feel this when going downhill, the task is almost unbearable when you have to ride uphill! 

The Resistance of the Motor

Another reason why your battery-less e-bike won't be as easy to maneuver is motor resistance. Some e-bike motor brands, Bosch for example, have a thing for direct drive hub motors, and these offer some resistance by default. This is why it is quite annoying when you're pedaling. 

While driving your e-bike without a battery seems to be more straining on its own, it might become even more challenging depending on the surface you’re driving on, as well as your e-bike model. Furthermore, your level of fitness also creates a difference when it comes to pedaling - experienced drivers will find it easier to maintain speed.

Some can even drive without any assistance for longer periods of time. 

How Can I Safely Ride an E-bike Without the Battery? 

Don't worry - you can ride without the battery, and it is completely safe to do so, but you need to follow our advice to make sure everything is the way it should be. For example, you have to be absolutely positive that the battery space is tidy and clean, no matter where you're driving. If you enjoy off-road driving, you should pay extra attention to this. 

How Can I Increase the Shelf Life of My E-bike Battery? 

To make sure you never experience your electric bike battery discharging fully in the middle of nowhere, you have to focus on your range. Usually, you can expect a range of between 30 and 100 miles, but this depends on the bike.  

The actual range is influenced by factors such as your weight, the bike's weight, the speed, the gradient of the terrain, your battery’s capacity, as well as the parameters of the motor. The following tricks will make sure you never end up with a flat battery:

Don’t Allow the Battery to Get to 0%

The optimal operation level for most power sources is 20-100%. That's why you should aim to keep the charge inbetween these two numbers. Ideally, you should always stay above 20% before riding the bike, as fully discharging the battery negatively impacts its lifetime. Furthermore, the temperature outside has to be appropriate for the battery to charge as needed. 

Remember to let the temperature of your battery get up to room temperature before you charge it. Pay extra attention to this during the colder part of the year, such as the winter season. Elsewhere, you should keep an eye on your battery while it is charging and never leave it to overcharge a lot - this will actually cause capacity loss. Poor charging cycles definitely impact your batter in the long run.

Ensure the Tire Pressure is Right

The pressure of the tires will also change the range of your battery. Pressure changes friction with the surface and this causes you to lose speed. In that case you will have to compensate with the battery power, which is not ideal at all, so make sure that the tire pressure is sufficient. 

Shed Any Excess Weight

Too much weight on your bike definitely negatively impacts the battery. Every time you go to ride your bike, think about whether you can afford to leave anything behind - it will leave a good impact. The difference will be noticeable while you're riding uphill. 

Switch Between the Riding Modes

Avoid using too much of the extreme or turbo mode when you are riding your e-bike. Sometimes, it is wise to use the lower pedal-assist settings, especially on a flat section of the course and downhill. Only use the turbo mode if you are moving against a strong headwind or you feel like it is absolutely necessary for your health or safety. 

Never Jet Wash Your Battery

We have to point this out, as most people do not see a problem in washing your battery with water under pressure, but this could adversely affect the performance of your battery. It's a much better idea to get an electric contact cleaner to spray by the terminals. This reduces corrosion and helps maintain proper energy transfer. 

Opt for a Smooth Ride

Make sure you actually enhance your pedaling experience - proper technique is very important. Definitely take it easy on the pedals, and make sure you shift gears depending on the nature of the road. Stepping too hard on the pedals will not do anything good for the battery.

Conclusion

Yes! Using your electric bike with no battery is definitely an option. However, keep in mind that you’ll have a harder time moving the entire weight of the bike while pedaling if you have no motor to assist you. If you want to prevent such an incident from happening, be sure to perform proper maintenance on the battery!