How to increase your e-bike’s battery range

There are a wide variety of e-bike range testing methods in use today. They can be split into two main types – lab testing and testing out in nature. The biggest difference? Easy. When you test an e-MTB or e-bike in the lab, you can never recreate the wide range of conditions you encounter in the great outdoors.

On the test bench, range assessment processes are relatively uniform and consistent, resulting in outcomes that are often better than testing outdoors. If you test an e-bike motor and battery in its natural environment, more different factors (as listed above) start to come into play. So test bench and real-world assessments will always yield different results in terms of e-bike range.

It primarily depends on the model, the motor, and the battery. Furthermore, the ranges stated on the Canyon website can be influenced by lots of different variables. Still, you can rely on these figures for an approximate guide of the real-world range.

With e-mountain bikes you can explore nature and your local area easy. Power over off-road tracks, forest gravel paths, and through winding trails – all with over 100 kilometres of range with a Canyon e-MTB. Depending on your riding style and terrain, pick from the Neuron:ON, Spectral:ON, Torque:ON, and more besides.

If you’re looking to ride up to around 120 km between charges, then Canyon models like the Grail:ON and Roadlite:ON are just the ticket. The Grail:ON is an e-gravel bike for supercharged high-speed off-road fun on gravel paths and forest dirt roads, whereas the Roadlite:ON is an efficient, fast e-hybrid for everyday riding.

In it for the long haul? Then you need a Canyon Pathlite:ON 8 or Pathlite:ON 9. These advanced e-touring bikes are packed full of features and have an enormous range of around 200 km. That’s enough even for easy multi-day tours with no charging needed.

So, we’ve already covered what factors can affect the range of your e-bike. And this is how to increase the range of electric bikes.

If you reduce the overall weight of rider and bike, the motor has to generate less power to support you. So before you hit the road, double-check you’re only carrying gear that you really need – or if you can use a lighter overall setup. This might include using a light, all-in-one multi-tool, dropping that second water bottle, or leaving that heavy winter jacket at home in favour of a lighter alternative. Another option is to reduce the weight of the bike itself. Fitting carbon components, titanium screws, and thinner single-ply tyres are just some of the possibilities available.

The shortest route from A to B is not always the most efficient. To extend your battery life, consider planning a flatter course with less elevation. This can significantly increase the range of your e-bike.

To further increase the range of your e-bike, you should use the right motor e-support mode for your riding situation. If you only use the strongest setting, your battery will drain faster than on the lowest setting. Picking the right motor mode will make your electric bike more efficient.

Shifting into a suitable gear is also important for the range of your e-bike. You just need to use a gear that you can pedal comfortably. You shouldn’t have to spin your legs super-fast like a washing machine, or be ‘grinding’ too slowly and have to push down too forcefully on the pedals to keep them turning.

Abrupt stopping and starting time after time requires more energy than pedalling at a consistent speed. Try to ride smooth and steady, so you’re starting from a standstill as little as often. This will maintain your bike’s battery capacity, increasing the range of your bike.

Picking the correct tyres and pumping them up to the correct pressure can also make a considerable impact on the range of your e-bike. In mountain biking, riders often use low pressures and knobbly tyres to generate maximum grip. However, this also increases rolling resistance, which sucks more battery power. In road and gravel cycling, riders generally use higher pressures. This doesn’t reduce the bike’s range.

To maximise range, you need to charge your battery properly . Avoid charging it fully up to 100% power and then riding until the battery is completely empty. More than anything, draining the battery right down can cause damage over the long term. As a general guide, the optimum charging range is usually specified between 20%-80%.

If you want to go on an extremely long trip, a second battery can double your range.

The weather has a big effect on your e-bike’s range. In cold temperatures, batteries drain faster. And when you’re pedalling into a headwind, your motor has to push harder which reduces range. When the weather’s bad, bring your charger along so you can recharge your bike in a pinch.

As stated above, the weather impacts an e-bike’s range. This includes the temperature, because when it gets colder outside, the performance of a lithium-ion battery reduces. For this reason, if you’re living somewhere with extended periods of time at sub-zero temperatures, you should store your battery in your home, because 10-20 degrees is the optimal temperature for battery storage.

Want more tips on riding your electric bicycle in the colder months? Then read our E-Biking in Winter guide – it’s packed with lots of top tips.