E-bike batteries: innovations and optimal use

E-bike batteries are diverse and differ in their chemistry, capacity and shape. Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries are currently the most popular, but new developments such as calcium-air batteries could shape the future. Discover the different types of batteries, their advantages and disadvantages and valuable tips for longer life and optimal use.

Battery types

There are various types of batteries for e-bikes, which differ mainly in the type of battery chemistry used, their capacity and shape. The most common battery types are currently

• Nickel-cadmium batteries (NiCd)
• Nickel-metal hydride batteries (NiMH)
• Lithium polymer batteries (Li-Po)
• Lithium-ion batteries (Li-Ion)
  

Lithium-ion and lithium-polymer batteries are the most widely used and most powerful batteries today. They are characterized by a longer service life, can be recharged more quickly and are relatively light even at high power.

Developments

In addition to conventional rechargeable batteries, significant progress has been made in recent years in the development of calcium-air batteries with the aim of improving performance and efficiency. 

There are now promising alternatives to the lithium-ion battery, such as the calcium-air battery. This innovative technology has the potential to play a significant role in the energy transition, as calcium is around 2,500 times more abundant than lithium, making it a much more sustainable resource.

Scientists have discovered that calcium-air batteries have the potential to rival the storage properties of lithium-ion batteries in the future. In the latest tests, calcium batteries demonstrated an impressive storage capacity of 500 milliampere-hours per gram in numerous charge and discharge cycles, which is around 50 percent more than current lithium-ion batteries.