How long does an electric bike last?

There is no fixed figure: according to the Consumers’ Association, there is no guideline for the lifespan of a complete e-bike. In a study by the association, users replaced their previous e-bike after an average of 5.5 years, usually while it was still working. The battery lasts less time than the bike: the ANWB cites an average of five to eight years, while the Dutch Cyclists’ Union cites five to six.

Below, you can read what the sources say about the battery, wearing parts and maintenance. At the bottom are e-bikes to compare, with the manufacturer’s specifications for each model.

How long does an electric bike battery last?

The sources give different figures:

• The ANWB: an average of five to eight years if you take good care of it. On another page, the ANWB cites six years if you use and store the battery correctly.
• The Dutch Cyclists’ Union: bear in mind that you will need to replace the battery after five to six years.
• The Consumers’ Association: with average use, capacity may already decline significantly after 3 to 5 years. A more recent battery can last more than 5 years with correct use.
• Bosch, regarding its own batteries: after 500 full charging cycles, 60 to 70 percent of the original capacity remains (2020 brochure).

According to the ANWB, how long yours lasts depends on how often you cycle, how you charge it and how you store the battery.

Why does an e-bike last less time than a regular bike?

A regular bike can easily last 25 years, writes the Consumers’ Association. An e-bike has more parts that can break, as well as a battery that needs replacing after a while. Some parts are brand-specific: if such a small part is no longer available, an e-bike can quickly become unusable.

Wear and tear also plays a role. Because of its higher speed, an e-bike wears out faster than a regular bike, writes the ANWB: the brakes work harder, while the tires, chain and sprockets rotate more often.

How many kilometers does an electric bike last?

We did not find a mileage figure for a complete e-bike from the ANWB, the Consumers’ Association, the Dutch Cyclists’ Union or BOVAG. The ANWB does provide some guidance for individual parts:

• Chain: wear is often already noticeable at 4,000 kilometers. It is best to replace the chain and sprockets at the same time.
• Tires: a quality tire with a good breaker layer can last up to 10,000 kilometers. Heavy loads, such as very heavy bags, accelerate wear.
• Brake pads: these wear out faster on an e-bike than on a regular bike. Check them several times a year, especially if you cover a lot of kilometers.

Does a fatbike last less time?

We did not find a separate figure for fatbikes. The Consumers’ Association does mention a few points to consider. Cheaper fatbikes in particular often have lower-quality components, making them more likely to break down sooner. Only a few fatbikes have hub gears and a fully enclosed chain guard, so the chain and gears require a lot of maintenance. Increasing the power also reduces the lifespan, because it places greater forces on the chain and gears, among other parts.

Looking for a fatbike? Check the specifications to see which type of gearing it has.

How often does an electric bike need maintenance?

BOVAG recommends maintenance at least once a year. Many e-bikes are connected to a computer during servicing and receive software updates. The ANWB also recommends an annual service, especially for an electric bike, and says that the required frequency otherwise depends largely on the number of kilometers ridden.

You can do some maintenance yourself, according to the ANWB: check and inflate the tires, inspect the brake pads, lubricate the chain with chain oil, and check that the bolts, screws and spokes are still tight. Leave maintenance on the motor, display and battery to a bicycle specialist. We did not find a reliable figure for the motor’s lifespan. If a motor breaks down after 3 years, that is sooner than you would expect, according to the Consumers’ Association.

Do not use a pressure washer when cleaning. Bosch advises against this for the battery and other electrical components, while the ANWB advises against it for the chain.

How to make your battery last longer

Advice varies by battery, writes the ANWB, so also check your own battery’s manual. Some advice from the sources:

• Do not let the battery run completely flat. The Consumers’ Association recommends keeping 20 percent as the minimum whenever possible. Milieu Centraal and Bosch recommend a charge level between 20 and 80 percent.
• Never charge the battery in freezing conditions: bring it indoors and charge it at room temperature (Consumers’ Association).
• If you are not going to ride for a few months, store the battery at room temperature and approximately half full (Consumers’ Association).
• Use the original charger: universal chargers can damage the battery, the fire service warns. Once the battery is full, unplug the charger, and charge it when you are at home.

Is your battery suddenly running out quickly?

That does not necessarily mean it is worn out. The battery runs down faster in headwinds, on hills and in cold weather, writes Milieu Centraal, while soft tires reduce range (ANWB, BOVAG). Below freezing, capacity temporarily drops slightly; according to the ANWB, this is not a major problem.

Are you consistently getting fewer kilometers even with properly inflated tires and in mild weather, while the battery indicates that it is full? According to the ANWB, this is a sign that it needs replacing. Other signs include longer charging times, being unable to charge it fully, or damage to the battery. A worn-out battery does not mean you need a new bike: if the rest of the bike is in good condition, you can usually simply replace the battery. Return the old one to a recycling center or bicycle shop.