E-bike products and scooters Cycling Without that Pesky Peddling | Page 6

The Batteries
In early designs the electric motor needed to be powered by a large heavy battery but that
was self-defeating as you used half of the power just to drive the battery along. However,
recent advancements in battery technology has allowed for smaller and lighter batteries of
similar power ratings – typical 350 -500W (35 -50V at 10 amps). These newer lithium-ion
batteries, which are also used in mobile phones and computer technology, have replaced the
older, heavier, but cheaper rechargeable nicad battery. Powered by this new breed of battery
a modern electric bicycle will have a range of 10 – 30 miles depending of the terrain and at a
top speed of 10-20 mph.