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How Long Do Electric Bikes Last?

By: Author Zachary Friedman

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Categories Electric Bikes

Home » Bikes and Cycling » Electric Bikes » How Long Do Electric Bikes Last?

An e-bike is a pretty big investment for most people. Before you go out and buy one, you might be wondering, how long do e-bikes last?

On average, an electric bike lasts around 10 years. During that time, you will have to replace the battery 1-3 times. You may have to replace the motor. An e-bike battery lasts around 3-5 years and a motor lasts around 10,000-15,000 miles, on average.

In this guide, we’ll look at the life expectancy of electric bikes and their individual components including the motor and battery. We’ll also share some tips to help you extend the life of your e-bike. A well-maintained e-bike will last many thousands of miles but it may not last as long as a traditional bike.

I’ve been riding e-bikes extensively for the past decade. During that time, I’ve owned 3 different e-bikes. Some have lasted longer than others. In this guide, I’ll share my experience.

A mid drive electric bike
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Table of Contents

What is the Average Life Expectancy of an E-Bike?

On average, you can expect a quality e-bike to last around 10 years or 10,000 miles. Low-end e-bikes may only last around 3-5 years. Premium e-bikes may last 15 years or 15,000-30,000 miles. An e-bike may last longer if it’s well-maintained or if you don’t ride frequently. An abused or heavily used e-bike may not last quite as long.

At a certain point, the bike will start to need some major repairs. The electrical components will start to wear out and become less efficient and the bike will become less reliable. If you keep making repairs, your e-bike can last indefinitely. At a certain point, it will be more cost-effective to buy a new one.

The longevity of an e-bike really comes down to the quality of the electrical components, how often you ride, and how well you care for your bike. Wear and tear is normal. Parts will wear out over time. Eventually, you’ll have to replace wearable parts such as the battery, tires, chain, cogs, etc. You may need to replace the motor at some point as well.

Generally, e-bikes don’t last as long as regular bikes. They are more complex. There are more components that can wear out. They are also ridden at higher speeds. This causes more wear and tear.

How Long Do Electric Bike Motors Last? 

A guy riding an e-bike with a hub motor

Electric bike motors last anywhere from 3,000 to 15,000 miles before they need to be replaced. If you take good care of your electric bike and don’t ride too hard, you can expect to get around 10,000 miles out of the average motor. That’s equivalent to around 500 hours of ride time. For most riders, that’s anywhere from 3-10 years of use.

Exactly how long the motor will last depends on the motor design, the quality of the motor, how the bike is ridden, the conditions you ride in, and how well you maintain your bike. Some motors last as long as the bike. Sometimes you will need to replace the motor once during the bike’s lifespan. When your motor dies, it doesn’t mean you need to get a new e-bike. It is replaceable.

There are three main types of e-bike motors including direct drive hub motors, geared hub motors, and mid-drive motors. Some last longer than others.

  • Direct Drive Hub Motors- Direct drive hub motors last the longest of any e-bike motor. They can last up to 5000 hours. It is possible to get up to 50,000 miles out of a direct drive hub motor. These motors last longer than others because they have no moving parts other than the hub bearings. There is less that can wear out. If your direct drive hut motor fails and needs to be replaced, expect to spend around $50-$300 to replace it.
  • Geared Hub Motor- Geared hub motors last around 3,000-10,000 miles or around 500 hours. These motors have a gear reduction system built in. This means there are more moving parts that can fail. The gears can wear out over time. They’re usually made of plastic. You will need to replace the gears a couple of times during the lifetime of the motor. If you can’t find the gears, you’ll need to replace the whole motor. It can cost anywhere from $60-$300+ to replace a geared hub motor. The gears alone are cheaper than the whole motor. For more in-depth info, check out my guide to geared vs direct drive hub motors.
  • Mid-Drive Motor- Mid-drive motors can last for 10,000-15,000 miles or around 1000 hours if they’re taken care of. One drawback to mid-drive motors is that they put more stress on the drivetrain components. The chain, chainring, cassette, and derailleur system will all wear out and need to be replaced sooner. This is because the motor’s power is transferred through the drivetrain. Mid-drive motors also have a gear reductions system. Over time, the internal gears can wear out. If your mid-drive motor fails, it can be difficult to replace. Many models are proprietary. Replacing a mid-drive motor is much more expensive than replacing a hub motor. Mid-drive motors usually cost around $300-$700.
A mid-drive e-bike motor from Shimano
A mid-drive e-bike motor

How To Make An Electric Bike Motor Last Longer

  • Run the motor at the recommended wattage- If your motor is rated for 250W, make sure the controller is programmed to supply a maximum of 250W of power. If you overpower the motor, it can overheat. This could cause the motor to fail prematurely. If you buy an off-the-shelf e-bike, you won’t have to worry about this. It will already be programmed.
  • Ride smoothly and gently- Instead of cranking down on the pedals or using full throttle, ride the bike in eco mode. Use pedal assist instead of the throttle. Accelerate slowly. Riding the bike gently will extend the life of the internal planetary gears. Your drivetrain components will last longer as well. If you’re constantly doing wheelies, riding at full throttle, or powering up steep hills, the motor will wear out sooner.
  • Keep the motor clean and dry- Try to clean and dry your motor after every ride. A damp cloth works fine. This will help keep the free of contamination. If moisture or debris makes its way into the motor’s shell, it can cause corrosion and abrasion. This makes the motor wear out faster.
  • Keep the moving parts well-lubricated- When the chain, gears, and bearings are well lubricated, there is less resistance for the motor to overcome. It won’t have to work as hard. The motor will last longer as a result.
  • Avoid riding your e-bike in extremely hot weather- If it’s 100 degrees outside, your motor could overheat more easily. If you must ride in hot weather, stop every 10-15 minutes to let the motor cool down.
  • Avoid riding your e-bike in extremely wet conditions- Most e-bike motors are not designed to be ridden in heavy rain or through streams. E-bike motors aren’t water-proof. They are only water-resistant. If water makes its way into the motor, it can short out. You can ride your e-bike in light rain. Never wash your e-bike with a high-pressure hose.
An e-bike battery mounted to the downtube

How Long Do Electric Bike Batteries Last?

Battery longevity is usually measured in charge cycles. Charge cycles are the number of full charges from 0-100% that a battery can undergo before it degrades to a point where it needs to be replaced.

Most e-bikes come with lithium-ion batteries. A modern lithium battery can last for 500-1000 charge cycles. On average, an e-bike battery lasts between 3 and 5 years. Once a battery drops below 70% of its original capacity, it is considered degraded and it should be replaced. Chances are, you will need to replace your bike’s battery 2-3 times during the life of the bike.

Exactly how long an e-bike battery will last depends on the quality of the battery cells, how you charge the battery, how you store the battery, how much you ride, and the conditions you ride in. It’s important to note that lithium-ion batteries also degrade over time, even when they’re not used.

For more in-depth info, check out my guide: How Long Do Electric Bike Batteries Last?

How to Make Your E-bike Batteries Last Longer

It’s important to take good care of your bike’s battery. The battery is, by far, the most expensive individual component of your bike. A new e-bike battery can cost $500-$900. In most cases, the battery makes up around 1/3 of the cost of the bike. You want it to last as long as possible.

A few ways to prolong the life of your electric bike battery include:

  • Avoid fully discharging your battery- Instead of riding your e-bike until the battery runs to 0%, do partial recharges. Ideally, you should charge your battery when it reaches 20% and charge it to 80%. Charging this way puts less stress on the battery. Deep charges can reduce the battery’s lifespan.
  • Don’t store your battery somewhere that’s too hot or too cold- Store the battery in a cool, dry place when it’s not in use. Ideally, it should be stored between 59° F and 68° F (15° C and 20° C). Don’t store the battery in an extremely hot or cold location. Heat can reduce your battery’s lifespan. During the winter, keep the battery inside your home. Don’t leave it near a window in direct sunlight.
  • Store your battery partially charged- If you’re not going to use your e-bike for a while, try not to store the battery empty or fully charged. Store it while charged at 40%-60% of its capacity.
  • Use the right charger- Use the charger that is recommended by the manufacturer. Don’t use a fast charger. Fast chargers create more heat and put additional stress on your bike’s battery, causing it to wear out faster.
  • Ride efficiently- If you ride smoothly, use the lower levels of pedal assist, and carry as little weight as possible you’ll achieve more range. The more range you get, the less often you’ll have to charge your battery. When you charge less frequently, the battery will last longer because you won’t use up as many charge cycles. If you charge your bike’s battery every day, it might only last two years. If ride efficiently and only charge your battery every other day, it might last 3 years.
  • Avoid riding your bike in extreme temperatures- If the weather is over 100 degrees or below freezing, limit using your e-bike for prolonged periods of time. The extreme heat can affect your battery’s longevity. Cold weather won’t harm your battery but its performance will decline.
  • Don’t allow your battery to get too wet- Moisture can cause your battery to corrode. It could short out if it gets too wet. After riding in the rain, wipe your battery down so no water seeps in.
A man riding an electric bike with a rear hub motor

Other Components That Can Affect Your E-bike’s Lifespan

Pedal Assist Sensors

E-bikes have either torque sensors or cadence sensors. The bike’s pedal assist system uses these sensors to determine when to engage and disengage the motor. The lifespan of an e-bike sensor is usually 5-10 years. To extend the life of the sensors, keep them clean and dry so they don’t corrode. If you take care of them, they should last the life of the bike. For more info on e-bike sensors, check out my guide to torque sensors vs cadence sensors.

Tires

Tires on electric bikes tend to wear out faster than tires on regular bikes. This is because e-bikes are ridden at higher speeds. Most people also ride further on their e-bike than they would on a regular bike. As a result, the tires don’t last as long. On an average electric bike, the tires last anywhere from 1000 to 3000 miles. You will need to replace the tires multiple times over the lifetime of your bike.

When buying tires for an e-bike, make sure the tires are rated for e-bikes. Some lower-end tires are not designed to handle the high speeds that e-bikes can reach. Ebike tires are designed to be ridden at speeds of up to 50 km/h. They are also a bit more durable than average bike tires. Also, consider buying puncture-resistant tires. It’s also important to make sure your bike tires are properly inflated. Consider rotating the tires every once in a while to extend their life.

Brakes

Brake pads on electric bikes tend to wear out faster than brake pads on regular bikes. This is because e-bikes are ridden at higher speeds. E-bikes are also heavier than standard bikes. Slowing down from higher speeds requires more braking force. It also takes more braking force to slow down a heavier bike. The extra braking force creates more friction on your brake pads which wears them down faster. You’ll have to change the pads more often when you ride an e-bike.

A quality set of brake pads will last around 500-1200 miles. You’ll have to replace the pads about once per year, on average. It’s a good idea to use high-quality brake pads on an e-bike. You need as much stopping power as you can get to slow down a fast and heavy bike.

You will also need to replace brake cables occasionally. On average, brake cables last 5,000-6,000 miles. If your bike has hydraulic disc brakes, you’ll have to bleed your brakes and replace the fluid once per year.

Chain and Drivetrain Components

Chains, chainrings, and cassettes usually don’t last as long on e-bikes as they do on regular bikes because e-bikes are usually ridden longer distances and at higher speeds.

On an e-bike, expect to replace your chain around every 2000 miles. Sometimes you might only get 1000 miles out of a chain.

On average, rear sprockets last 2-3 times longer than the chain. In other words, you’ll have to replace the chain 2 or 3 times before you have to replace the rear sprockets. A chainring usually lasts about 5-6 times longer than a chain.

Mid-drive electric bikes are particularly hard on drivetrain components. This is because the motor provides power through the drivetrain. A mid-drive motor can produce much more power than a human. If you ride an e-bike with a mid-drive motor, you will wear through chains, chainrings, and cassettes faster than you might expect. Hub motors power the wheel directly so they don’t put additional stress on the drivetrain.

Maintenance plays a big role in drivetrain longevity. Regularly clean and lube the chain and adjust the derailleurs to keep your bike running smoothly. The components will last longer when they’re maintained. Dirt, sand, and other contaminants can create friction and abrasion that cause your chain and gears to wear out faster.

An electric bike parked in a driveway

How To Make Your E-Bike Last Longer

1. Keep on Top of Maintenance

Your e-bike will last longer if it’s properly maintained. Replace components as they wear out. When your chain starts to stretch, install a new one. If the gears in your geared motor start to wear out, replace them.

It’s also important to keep your bike lubricated and properly adjusted. Clean and lube the chain and cogs to keep the bike running smoothly. This way, the motor won’t have to work as hard. If you don’t know how to maintain your own bike, take it to your local bike shop for regular maintenance.

2. Change Your Riding Habits

You can also extend the life of your e-bike by adjusting your riding habits. Use a lower pedal assist mode, such as eco mode to improve your battery longevity. Instead of accelerating quickly, accelerate slowly and gently. Try to ride smoothly and efficiently. This puts less stress on your motor and battery. They’ll last longer as a result.

Also, avoid riding in rugged conditions or off-road, unless you have an e-bike that is designed for that. E-bikes are a bit less durable than regular bikes.

3. Store Your E-Bike Properly

Your e-bike will also last longer if you store it properly. Never leave your e-bike out in the rain. Instead, store it in a covered area, such as a garage or under a carport. Better yet, store it indoors. If you don’t have access to a covered space, buy a cover for your e-bike.

Keeping your bike out of the elements will prevent parts from corroding. Rust can reduce the lifespan of your e-bike.

It’s also best to store your e-bike in a temperature-controlled area so it doesn’t get too hot or too cold. Extreme temperatures can reduce the lifespan of the battery.

4. Take Care of the Battery

Remember, the battery is the most expensive individual component of your bike. Follow the charging guidelines from the manufacturer. Try to keep the battery between 20% and 80%. Avoid complete drainage. Avoid exposing the battery to extreme temperatures. Particularly extreme heat. Use the recommended charger. Don’t use fast chargers.

5. Keep Your Bike Clean and Dry

Wash any dirt and sand off of your motor and battery to avoid contamination. Avoid riding in the rain or through puddles. When washing your e-bike, never use a hose or any type of pressurized water. Simply use a sponge or damp cloth and wipe it down.

Remember, e-bikes aren’t waterproof. They are water resistant. Moisture can ruin an e-bike. It can cause corrosion in the motor and battery. If water gets in the electrical system, the bike could short out.

A silhouette of a man riding an ebike

Final Thoughts

Electric bikes are becoming an increasingly popular transportation option around cities. With proper care and regular maintenance, a quality electric bike should last around 10 years.

During that time, you will have to replace some components as they wear out including the battery and possibly the motor. Wearable parts such as the tires, chain, cassette, brake pads, cables, etc. will also need to be replaced multiple times during the lifetime of the bike.

There are some ways to prolong the life of your e-bike. Stay on top of maintenance. Keep the bike clean, lubed, and adjusted. Charge the battery properly. Hopefully, this guide helps your e-bike last a little bit longer.

Do you ride an e-bike? Share your experience in the comments below!

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