FAQ battery and range

Battery

E-bikes are here to stay in our streetscape. As the number of e-bikes grows, so does the number of spent bike batteries. We at Gazelle shoulder our responsibility for safe collection and recycling of old bike batteries. That is why we have been charging a recycling levy as from 1 January 2014 when purchasing an e-bike with battery or a battery on its own. Your Gazelle dealer can provide you with more information on this.

Models with the Impulse or Bosch system feature a silver battery as standard. Our Shimano Steps bikes are supplied with a gold battery as standard.

Should you have a need for a battery with a greater range, you can also choose a different battery when acquiring your e-bike. Look on our website, in the brochure or ask your Gazelle dealer for the latest prices and what you get in terms of added range.

On our models with the Bosch system, you have a choice of silver, gold or platinum batteries. The capacity of the silver is 330 Wh / 8.3 Ah, the gold is 400 Wh / 11.1 Ah and the platinum battery is 500 Wh / 13.8 Ah.

On our models with Shimano Steps, you have a choice between gold or platinum batteries. The capacity of the gold battery is 418 Wh / 11.6 Ah and the platinum battery is 500 Wh / 13.9 Ah.

No, this isn’t necessary. It is best to put the battery away not fully charged somewhere dry and free from moisture. You can also leave the battery in the bike. If the bike is not being used for a longer period, the battery will switch to what is known as sleep mode. The battery will come out of sleep mode if you connect it to the charger or if you press the push-button on the battery.

That is up to you. It is the case nonetheless that the assistance cuts out on ‘normal e-bikes’ at speed over 25 km/h (with a legally permitted tolerance of +10%). This is a legal requirement for motor-assisted bicycles and is part of European standard EN-15194 for EPAC (Electrically Power Assisted Cycles). In addition to these there are also the so-called Speed Pedelecs, which can reach speeds up to 45 km/h.

You don’t need to do anything. If you want to put your bike away for longer, it is advisable to store the battery not fully charged. Make sure that there are always one or two LEDs lighting up when putting it into storage.

Yes, the battery will provide less assistance if it is near enough flat. Up to that point, the system will provide full assistance. Incidentally, if the battery is flat, the lighting will keep on operating normally because the battery includes reserve capacity for this purpose.

Batteries function less well at lower temperatures. Apart from the fact that the battery cannot be fully charged or discharged, this doesn’t cause any other problems. That is why we recommend charging the battery at room temperature in the winter.

Yes. Batteries can be interchanged on all Gazelle e-bikes. This is of course only possible within the system: e.g. any Bosch battery can be used in any bike with a Bosch system.

If the electric bike is not used for a longer period of time, the battery enters a so-called sleep mode. You can activate it again by pressing the display. This does not mean that the battery no longer provides support. Do you have problems with your battery after your bike has been standing for a few days? Please contact a bike shop near you. They can check your battery and electric bike.

There is always some residual energy capacity left in the battery. This energy is more than enough to keep your lights on for a few more hours.

The battery can be charged in and out of the bike using the charger supplied with it. NB: do not use any charger other than the one supplied with the bike. There are LEDs located on the side of the battery. As the charging process progresses, the LEDs on the battery start lighting up one by one. Once all five LEDs have gone out the battery is fully charged.

You can contact your Gazelle dealer if you are having problems with your battery, such as not charging, the indicator light keeps on flashing or if it needs to be reset. He can help you out with battery problems.

Range

Assistance level selected. In the highest assistance level the range will be less than at the lowest assistance level;

  • The rider’s weight (the heavier the rider, the less the range);

  • The motor will need to deliver a great deal of power when you accelerate in a high / heavy gear. As a result of this you will need to recharge the battery sooner rather than later;

  • The range on a charged battery is reduced when it is colder. It is best therefore to charge the battery at room temperature;

  • Mechanical condition of the bike. Underinflated tyres increase rolling resistance which draws more power from the motor. This reduces the range;

  • The motor needs to deliver more power when cycling in hilly terrain. This reduces the range;

  • The age of the battery. A battery ages as time passes. This reduces its capacity which in turn shortens your range;

  • Give your bike a service once a year.

On acquiring most Gazelle e-bikes with the battery integrated into the luggage carrier, you have a choice of three different batteries, each with its specific capacity and hence a specific range.

You do not have a choice of different batteries when acquiring a model with the Bosch system and the Impulse models in which the battery is fitted nest to the seat tube. You can read what capacity of battery is supplied under the bike in question.

The distance you can cover with a battery will therefore vary with each battery. Click here are read more about the various batteries.

Range is dependent on various factors. Thus, the speed at which you ride the bike will have a major impact. See below for the average range at various speeds. In addition to speed, there are order external factors that affect the range. The range advertised in our brochures and manuals is based on averages. Thus, it is assumed that the average rider weighs 70 kg, cycles on relatively flat terrain and shifts gears actively. Below you will find that leading factors that affect range:

  • Weight. The total weight of the bike, the rider and load will affect the range.

  • Gear-shifting behaviour. Actively shifting gears increases the range. Just like a car, when setting off from a standstill, you should start in the lowest gear. Never start in the highest gear; this will adversely affect your range.

  • Type of sensor. E-bikes are fitted with a pedal force sensor or a rotation sensor. A pedal force sensor amplifies your own effort whereas a rotation sensor only provides assistance while pedalling. Put another way, the rider will always get maximum assistance with a rotation sensor, which results in less range.

  • Type of read surface. The surface over which you are cycling has a substantial effect on your range. Thus, cycling along an unpaved road surface will reduce your range.

  • The weather. Cycling with a tailwind or into a headwind will increase or reduce your range. Temperature will also affect it. Thus, at extremely low temperatures (< o degrees) the battery is able to store less energy, which reduces the distance you can cycle.

  • Hilly terrain You can cycle further on flat terrain than in the hills. The magnitude of the impact will also depend on the type of electric system. Thus, a mid-mounted motor is better suited to hills due to the motor’s thermal stability.

  • Tyre pressure

In view of the fact that you will probably experience a number of the abovementioned factors, here are a number of examples of the magnitude of their impact;

  • If you are cycling on good tarmac in a hilly area and you weigh 95 kg, then you may well find your range reduced by up to 20% compared to what is shown for the average range.

  • If you are cycling into a strong headwind, it can make a difference in range of up to 40%.

  • If you are cycling along an unpaved road, it will make cut your range by around 30% compared to cycling on tarmac.