Too Hot for eBikes? Does Extreme Weather Affect Lithium Ion Batteries?

[@TrailFeatures]

Another note is that a good ebike has a BMS (Battery Management system) that will monitor the internal temp of the battery cells as part of its duties to protect the cells. A Cheap eBike my have poor thermistor placement, limited thermal management, or just no thermal management at all.

[@nc3826]

Yes and no, since the best BMS in the world, does 'not' actively or even passively thermally manage an E-bikes battery pack in most cases. So it gives a false sense of security to the owner . No matter how sophisticated the BMS is implemented. (Nissan Leaf owners found out the hard way that an active thermal management system is needed for battery pack longevity.) (Early in the DIY E-bike community it was even suggested that having a BMS was counterproductive, and that battery packs should be actively managed by the user in terms of balancing and thermals. But the average E-bike owner does not want to have to bother with this strategy. So utilizing a BMS has been the only alternative even if it's very flawed.)

[@MarvinWestmaas]

@@nc3826'Yes and no, since the best BMS in the world, does 'not' actively or even passively thermally manage an E-bikes battery pack in most cases.' So, you don't build packs and you think that because you read something in the news some day you know 'all bms's act like this or that'?

[@nc3826]

@@MarvinWestmaas Thank you for reminding me of the old expression... .”If you can't dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullshit.” have a nice day.....

[@MarvinWestmaas]

@@nc3826 Thank you for describing yourself you piece of ..... 'ow they don't actually do any thermal monitoring / management' Yeah, those thermistors are there just for show, and there is no code running which will limit power draw or even go into limp mode when temp get's to high. Mong

[@MarvinWestmaas]

@@nc3826You should really just shut up when you don't actually have something worth while to say, you know. Don't make people wiser about your stupidity for no reason, keep it to yourself.

[@Saddletramp1200]

Houston today. 104.2 @ my place. Lectric XP 2.0 is his weeks bike. I smell a faint electric odor when I ride ii. No matter the weather. 2k so far on his one. It's a wonderful bike.

[@KevCentral]

Lectric makes a good bike, IMO. I don’t know what the odor is. I haven’t experienced that on any of the Lectric bikes I’ve ridden

[@ecopennylife]

Definitely something to thing about, plus sub-zero temperatures aren't good for the battery & degrade performance, I take the battery off & bring inside on commutes at low or high temps, plus DO NOT charge a hot to the touch battery, including lawnmower batteries, let them cool inside first.

[@tarstarkusz]

To call range claims "exaggerated" is the understatement of the year, especially when looking at the marketing claims. "Top speed of 23mph and range of 40 miles" would lead any reasonable person to conclude that you can ride the bike at 23mph and expect 40 miles of range. This is about as far from reality as it is capable of going. You might as well say the range is unlimited since you can always pedal. The stated range is at the lowest pedal assist at speeds around 6-8mph with 0 wind and totally flat ground. If you were to ride the above bicycle at 7mph on flat ground with no wind, while weighing 150lbs, in 60 degree temperatures you might get 35 miles range. If, OTOH, you weigh closer to 200, it's summer and 85-95 degrees with a 5-8mph breeze with lots of hills all at 23mph, it's more like 8 miles of range. The problem is energy. Going fast on a bicycle takes a lot of energy while going slow takes very little. That's why you can pedal 8mph 1/2 the day and not feel like you are dying. But up that speed to 23mph, if you can even do it and you'll be overheated and tired in 15 minutes unless you cycle regularly for long distances. At low speed, the primary resistance (without windy conditions) is rolling resistance. Rolling resistance is very low. But as your speed increases, you start creating your own wind and the energy needed shoots up a lot. Just doubling your speed takes roughly 4 times the energy and that is without the high aerodynamic losses at 20mph vs 10.

[@flolou8496]

Thank you for making this video, because potential consumers and purchasers in hot SouthWest areas of Palm Springs, Phoenix, Las Vegas, and San Bernadino County, (millions of people live in these areas) really need to know this stuff,

[@KevCentral]

The positive spin is that batteries are replaceable - albeit pricey.

[@flolou8496]

@@KevCentral Is the battery range depreciation from summer months usage, something that happens right away? or does it take 2 or 3 years of (riding in 90 degree temps at night) before the battery will start to deteriorate with range?

[@KevCentral]

I could only guess based on my experience with phones regularly left in hot cars. Their batteries age considerably over a year vs phones not subjected to high heat, but still hold up better than I would have thought

[@flolou8496]

@@KevCentral OK thank you, it's an important point to be accurate on, what I'de like next to see is, how effective and worthwhile it is to entertain these third party higher end seat suspension post, rather than hoping the default suspension's are good enough, I've only since discovered that rear suspension's often have compromises VS the front suspension, with the exception that some models have ''air suspension schocks'' but that's unusual in the 2500.00 and under price range. Like most people, I think I would entertain a really nice high end 3rd party seat post suspension and seat, but not if it's going to cost upwards of 250.00.

[@bassw1758]

I have two ebikea,, I've never had an issue with the batteries, just keep them out of direct sunlight as much as possible. But.... I have one of those new 1000 w bafang hub motors it's gone into limp mode on me twice on the mountain bike trails in the heat. And both times I didn't think I was pushing it that hard. I also have a Speedrid that shorted out on a hot day, the motor had those old-school connectors used to find on the RC car motors, they got so hot that the rubber covers melted and fused together. Luckily there was some kind of circuit breaker and the thing didn't catch on fire.

[@KevCentral]

Thanks for sharing

[@jaredkarpinski3460]

hub sinks and statorade

[@hdrvman]

How about taping or Velcro a piece of bubble reflectex over the battery compartment??

[@KevCentral]

I once had a scooter with a chrome housing around the speedo. Absolutely blinding in the sun. Reflective material on the top tube would probably have the same effect….it would reduce temps though!

[@chow-chihuang4903]

Maybe without the insulating bubble construction as you want the battery to shed heat generated internally when it’s in use.

[@hdrvman]

@@chow-chihuang4903 Lol...didn't think of that !!!

[@josephwinn01]

I wonder what your chassis and battery slot temps are after a few minutes of riding at speed providing wind airflow. If 10-15MPH of speed brings temps down to within range, then perhaps the concern weighs more towards storage. Had a similar thought path with spouse in that while I leave the batteries in place when locking the bike at the grocery store since its covered shade, I would likely take out the batteries and carry in if the rack was in full sun and I knew I'd be there for a long while.

[@MarvinWestmaas]

This isn't new.... google: everything about ebike batteries from a battery engineer, I'm sure you will find the blog at somEV. You don't store your batteries fully charged, you will loose capacity even at 'normal' temps. You store it around 40% charge. And on that blog you will even find charts showing you what temps would lead to which level of degradation. Problem with relying on wind to cool down the cells is that there should be a lot of isolation between 'wind' and those cells. Electrical isolation, for obvious reasons, and shock isolation. I don't think those layers work well with thermal conductivity between the cells and the outside air moving around the pack. It might cool the outside of the pack somewhat, but there is to much thermal mass inside the pack for it to really have an impact ( certainly at normal riding speeds ).

[@user--PM]

i ride my xp 2.0 only during the cooler parts of the day, although sometimes they are still in the mid 90s sometimes, i do keep the bike in an air conditioned room and although i dont let the battery get too low on charge, because below 48 volts the power drops off a cliff, i still charge it to 100% about once a week. because i can never remember it and come back hours later to a green light. although these ebikes use nmc cells that get the most power from the lightest weight, i feel that perhaps we could move to a bit safer chemistry LFP, true it does weigh more and has less power density, but wont turn into a fireball if you abuse it, it stops working, by safely venting the electrolyte instead of igniting it. also iron and lithium are not nearly as volatile as lithium and nickel when damaged. oh and a secondary side effect, lfp is less expensive and iron is more abundant than nickel.

[@chow-chihuang4903]

Totally agree on the change to LFP chemistry for its relative safety compared to NMC, NMCA, NCA etc. lithium-ion chemistries. They’re less likely to self-ignite, and when it does, the electrolyte doesn’t provide an oxygen source, like NMC etc. ones do, which is why they achieve runaway burns and explosions. It’s tech that is commercially available, unlike solid state chemistries, which forgo liquid electrolytes altogether, although automotive and power station customers may be buying up most of the current production capacity. Other benefits: Ability to use them from 0-100% of rated capacity and still achieve 7-10 times as many cycles. That capability negates any energy/mass issues of LFP versus NMC, as to get to 500 cycles or so, you should keep NMC cells within that 20-80% range, thus using only 60% of its capacity. The greater number of full charge cycles amortizes the battery cost over a much longer lifetime. An LFP pack of similar capacity would also cost less once similar economies of scale are reached as well, further reducing cost/cycle. Anyway, overheating is one reason I choose light, reflective colors for my e-bikes (the other is greater visibility at night). External packs always coming in black plastic casings don’t help them avoid overheating. Some are painted in lighter colors, usually integrated ones with some surface exposed to the outside. I ride in temps under 100F because I just don’t like to ride when it’s that hot, and I can avoid riding mid-day. I’ve not noticed any overheat issues riding in 95-98F conditions, but I don’t work the electronics or myself hard when it’s that hot. When I ride during winter, I wrap my packs with a foamed neoprene rubber sleeve or jacket. Instead of an observed 25% loss in range, it’s more like 6-10%. I ride in weather as cold as 15F.

[@pedrofernandez8729]

There is something to be said for e bikes having their batteries outside the frame. Perhaps making their batteries more stylish, like motorcycle companies do with their gas tanks.

[@nc3826]

Until active thermal management becomes common

[@reinerheiner1148]

Its probably not only the change from metal to plastic. The air flow beneath the plastic also has to be considered, while on the ebike, it probably was closed. A third option would be to use reflective paint so most of the sun does not get absorbed by the material. Honestly though, ebikes need aerodynamics that help cool the battery, at least while driving, just like an engine needs cooling. Nobody would drive a car that has its engine closed from any airflow and cooling. And in addition, ebikes could have active cooling while standing, such as a fan, and even some cooling fins would make sense to increase heat dissipation. Of course all of that comes with a drawback on weight and bulkiness. But consider this: they could ship two extra battery cases for ebikes, one for the summer with extra cooling, and one for the winter with insulation instead. I myself will enjoy ebikers staying at home on those hot days though 😂

[@Bengy22]

Another thing is that lithium cells will expel heat while in use, and while it does highly depend on the cells used and amperage of the motor ebike manufactures are trying to make money and often use the cheapest cells that "fit the bill" which likely have lower amp rating resulting in more heat. If ambient temps are 100f while in use they are going to get even hotter, reducing the life span even more. Interesting point with the metal being a oven comment, I wonder if carbon fiber ebikes don't suffer that issue as much

[@DickHowe-c5q]

I've noticed that on a 72 degree day, I still use a coat on the ebike because of the breeze you get from riding. I would think that the battery would cool down while you were riding. I'm also wondering if there is some way to engineer cooling fins on the battery.

[@harrygrimley4352]

Thanks for covering this. Remember when hover boards came out and they were catching fire? I wondered if E bikes would have the same problems.

[@MarvinWestmaas]

Cars do... There is a car carrier burning for a couple of days already 16km from one of our North Sea islands, it has ~500 electric cars on board out of ~3800 total. Fire is thought to have started in one of the electric cars.. Not that 'normal' cars never burned down a car carrier btw, just for added effect I thought I should add this :)

[@tarstarkusz]

5:17 It's not just the battery. The motor heats up too and the motor efficiency drops with a rise in temperature. As the temp of the motor rises, the temp will be increased by the battery and the drop in efficiency. Say at 60f your bike motor is 93% efficient. At 100f it is 85% efficient. At 150 it is 60% efficient. At 60f, 7% of your power is going to heat, which if the motor is designed well, it has no problem getting rid of. But if the motor is working hard and reaches 150F, 40% of your power is going to heating the windings in the motor which will drop efficiency even lower. Ambient temperature will contribute to the temperature of the windings in the motor.

[@chow-chihuang4903]

And the controller will also tap out at some point. The better-designed ones will reduce their output before they fail. Others will simply blow something, and at most throw an error code.

[@wildmutt536]

I've been riding my specialized vato SL in this extreme heat here in Arkansas for the past year and been leaving it parked outside the bicycle shop where I work for 5 to 6 hours at a time that hasn't really affected the performance of it and I'm still getting about 40 mi to the charge

[@boydcrowder4436]

I'm gonna say that comparison is apples to oranges. Spec, Trek, Giant etc are top tier bikes compared to Lectric, Schwinn, etc. I don't have any problem with my Trek e-MTB in FL heat either. Your Spec ebike is head & shoulders better quality than the ones Kev is talking about. Of course we pay price for that build quality.

[@bassw1758]

77 in NH finally stopped raining.

[@KevCentral]

I saw it was flooding up that way. Glad you’re getting a break

[@daviddjerassi]

A really good idea Kev keep pushing and some one will start making covers for sure.

[@spencerbrown1288]

Not related to the video, what do you think about a gravel bike conversion the the Walmart Ozark Trail 27.5 mtb? It seems that the geometry and even crankset is more meant for that than trail riding.

[@tarstarkusz]

8:18 I would worry about weakening that tube. That is structural and it's only 1 vs the 2 you get in a normal bike frame. Also, I think air flow is playing a bigger role than the efficiency of heat transfer through plastic vs aluminum (aluminum is the 2nd most efficient heat transfer material, at least with metals. 2nd only to copper). The temp under the plastic in your scooter is not enclosed and the temperature difference naturally causes air to circulate.

[@edhyunsoolee2683]

Why don't they make those seat post w/ chrome-like reflective color instead all black which absorb more heat in case its seat post battery?

[@Wrang15]

They dont even build homes with AC where i am in PA. It might hit 90 this week. First time all year. Was 59 last night only 77 today. Trees we have so many they fall and block roads weekly same with power outages. No paved road so that keeps temps down too.

[@KevCentral]

Wow

[@01ai01]

You can get some of that IR cooling paint.

[@KevCentral]

Isn’t it UV that generates the heat we feel? Either way, that would be an interesting experiment

[@chow-chihuang4903]

Any frequency absorbed and not reflected or re-radiated is converted to heat, outside of what’s converted to electricity by a PV cell. But that highly reflective paint would help. I think the active is barium sulfate.

[@mid-misage3416]

My wife just ordered a Schwinn Boundry 24" e-bike. Hope we made a good choice on which e-bike to get her.

[@KevCentral]

Congrats on the new bike!

[@MrSlinxy]

I've saved this to watch later, but I've been in Greece where it was 34c/93f and Turkey; 37c/98f where there's plenty of people using e-bikes and they are avaiable to rent. My phone battery didn't seem to last as long on a charge...

[@Elena14204]

4:35 thats why i ALWAYS take my battery into wherever im going unless its a short run into the store.

[@mauihowey]

I never considered that this may be the reason there is such a limited choice for e-bikes here in Thailand……it is always so warm here…….90+ most days of the year!

[@tdgdbs1]

They are plentiful in Vietnam, very popular among highschool students (no license required). E scooters are very popular too.

[@mauihowey]

@@tdgdbs1 I know many of the bikes that are here are made in Cambodia but I didn’t know about Vietnam!

[@KevCentral]

I only recently learned that my 2-stroke scooter is only sold in the US and Taiwan. The last two countries that allow new 2-stroke bikes Edit: I was mistaken. I originally said US and Thailand, but it’s the US and Taiwan where the 2-stroke R50 is sold (different name in Taiwan)

[@nc3826]

​ @mauihowey 'Thailand developing swappable battery packs to accelerate EV transition' a trend spreading across Southeast Asia... And since the bike owner does not the battery they don't have to worry about battery issues... Plus swappable batteries have many other advantages that you may want to consider.... But it's more for scooters than e-bikes.... Good luck figuring out what's best for you....

[@willardbuchanan9122]

Here in Utah, we hit a 104F today.

[@joseureste8257]

We hot 121 yesterday in palm desert California.

[@KevCentral]

Wow. In Utah!

[@KevCentral]

🥵

[@flolou8496]

WTF!

[@gregkellow4723]

Even if a battery is cool enough to "start" a ride, there is heat produced by the electrons moving as electric energy is used. The battery is going to eventually overheat on a hot day. An electric car has a cooling system to manage that heat. I'm sure high end e-bikes will eventually come with such a feature. Even if it's an air cooled system.

[@KevCentral]

Exactly. There is a wind effect to help a little, but being baked for hours, then internally warmed from use….sounds like a recipe for reduced range and performance to me

[@tobycaunt9257]

What about if manufacturers cut slits in frame to allow airflow with a small fan on the inside drawing ait through frame would cause lower internal air pressure and add a cooling effect on top of ventilation

[@michaelsprinzeles4022]

Thanks for making this vid. I've always worried about heat with my e-bikes. I hope I'm not deluding myself that my e-bikes are okay. I'm a city dweller so my batteries are as climate controlled as I am. My batteries are in bags not inside metal. When outside the batteries are always being air cooled (for what it's worth) then brought inside where ever I go. I built my e-bikes but researched batteries & bought batteries that used good cells and BMS, from reputable sources. I have 2 batteries that are over 6 years old. Cheap batteries terrify me, where good ones only worry me. For best results they say to only charge to 80%. That's true, for the most part. Most battery BMS will not balance the cells at 80%. I have one battery that will balance the cells at 90% & 2 that only balance at 100% and some batteries don't use a BMS or it may not balance the cells. I only charge beyond 80% when about to go for a long ride (& balance the cells).

[@gulfcitynd]

High heat hurts the range so doesn't extreme cold

[@michaelsprinzeles4022]

@@gulfcitynd Yes. You will, most likely, see decreased range. Again, if you are using the battery it should generate some heat so if it's room temp when you start the ride it should be ok through the ride. Full disclosure I haven't ridden in below 25f. It's important you don't charge the battery until it's warmed up after a cold ride.

[@Elena14204]

Also, how do you think an external battery thats incased in black plastic will fare?

[@KevCentral]

From what I’m seeing plastic radiates less heat, but I haven’t done any testing on that

[@chow-chihuang4903]

Depends. Metals conduct heat well, both ways. Plastics, and especially bags made of plastic cloth with plastic foam padding or lining, conduct heat poorly, both ways. Get or borrow a thermometer, and get one that measures air temperature or through conduction rather than infrared radiation because their readings are affected by the material and often color of the object being measured. Then place that in the bag not using your ebike, and again after using your ebike. You want to see if heat being absorbed and conducted in or heat generated by the battery and being kept in is worse.

[@Elena14204]

@chow-chihuang4903 i mean to be honest I get more worried about my motor. With recent temps, it has been hot enough to burn my hand in about 5 seconds.

[@chow-chihuang4903]

@@Elena14204 Ouch, that’s hot! I’d been reading about people suffering third degree burns (the ones that cause blisters, peeling skin) from contact with hot pavement. People need to be protected from that. As far as motors, most include a thermistor or some other temperature sensor that the controller can use to reduce power to or even cut off power to the motor before the motor gets damaged. You may get a “hot” message or error code (have to check the error number in your manual) as well. The controller with some heat-sensitive components is likely the first thing to suffer from a hot day, the second being a motor getting worked hard. But yeah, motor housings would benefit from being painted something more reflective than black. At least their housings are metal, so they would conduct internal heat outwards more easily and quickly than if they were plastic.

[@Elena14204]

@chow-chihuang4903 My bike is on the cheaper side, so i doubt I'll get an established code. I looked at the lcd, and there is a place where "Error" is, but i haven't got it yet. I've also ridden (and crashed) in below freezing conditions. Im lucky my controller is shielded from the sun by my battery. Also, my lcd is starting to have black spots, but only when hot. It's concerning.

[@davesimmons8640]

I'm not an engineer either, and everything I know about thermodynamics I learned when I put my hand on a hot stove as a kid. But wouldn't heat from other aluminum parts of the e-bike transfer throughout the bike, including the battery compartment? I'm just guessing here. My Lectric is supposed to be delivered this month (July '23), but I'm not holding out hope. Looks like I'm going to have to wait until late September to ride it, regardless when/if it arrives. Today was our coolest day since June, with a high of 99F and a heat index of 111F. Might be forced to break out my Specialized Roll Sport 29-er, again.

[@KevCentral]

Yep. That’s why it was warmer inside the frame than outside

[@wesbeplayin]

I got an e bike for my work commute this summer. My work parking lot has zero shade and I can't take it inside so now I'm worried I made a bad purchase now

[@asanseil5553]

Lock a shade umbrella over the battery/controller while parked.

[@MissingLinkMTB]

I'm still seeing people using them here in Arizona. Big time dry heat and temps over 100.

[@KevCentral]

The question is how much damage is that doing to the battery? You can run a car engine low of oil and it still work, but the engine life is greatly reduced

[@nc3826]

​ @KevCentral exactly right.... But one thing that's going to help in the near future is the development of LFP battery packs.... That chemistry is somewhat less affected by the heat.... But thermal management is the ultimate goal, but the types used in EV cars a little too costly in complex at this point in time...

[@MarvinWestmaas]

@@nc3826lfp = lifepo4? That only offers a 5c improvement in temperature range ( but so much more in safety... ).

[@Aka.Aka.]

My ebike overheats in Phoenix during the summer idk if its because I use the highest setting without pedaling

[@sonic2000gr]

The plastics in your scooter are not in contact with metal. Any inner plastic inside the frame of the electric bike would still be in contact with the hot aluminum frame everywhere, so it will do next to nothing for heat. In fact the batteries themselves are inside a plastic frame which cannot protect them from the frame "oven". Ideally the battery should be outside the frame with minimum contact with it and at a place where direct sunlight won't reach it. But that would be another problem on its own.

[@KevCentral]

I’ve checked the heat on the scooter frame right where the plastic body is bolted and it is definitely cooler than the plastic. I think plastic can’t radiate heat like metal does. The battery for the Lectric is in a metal housing

[@sonic2000gr]

@@KevCentral OK I thought the battery housing was plastic. Some of the (admittedly cheaper) e-bikes I've seen around here have plastic battery shells.

[@MarvinWestmaas]

@@sonic2000grAll Hailong style cases are plastic.. has nothing to do with how expensive they are.

[@nc3826]

Thank you for such an insightful, common sense approach to this issue. But taking your logic one-step further wouldn't an external battery pack enclosed in plastic be the better option? And when are we going to see them enclosed in white colored plastic? This is the type of simple common sense approach that seems to be lacking. Btw I know just enough about EVs to be a little narrow minded, about common sense approaches to alleviating issues. I assumed that this post would not have any new insights. Thank you for proving me wrong and making me more open-minded about the subject matter. And keep up the good work.

[@KermitOfWar]

Do all e-bike owners carry an extra battery with them or is that just me? I've ran out of juice before, but i've never had a problem with overheating e-bike batteries due to the weather, etc etc. Maybe it's just luck?

[@d_ward4871]

For a minute I thought you meant 116 Celsius I’m always surprised battery’s are almost always black. First thing I do with all my battery’s is cover them in white stickers

[@MarvinWestmaas]

This is nonsense you know this right? White does not stay cooler because it reflects more energy, or all those Bedouin tribes wouldn't be wearing dark clothes while riding the camels through the dessert. Also, on a more scientificly backed note if you're so inclined, they monitored a large part of participants in the 2022 Vierdaagse Marches in Nijmwegen ( 40km each day ), since last edition they had to cancel due to extreme high temperatures and they were flooded with questions about clothing advice. They each swallowed a measurement taking pill each day, and had a skin temperature measuring patches applied to their backs and upper arms. Then they alternated the groups with dark and white clothing on different days. Results: there was no measurable difference in skin temperature or in internal temperature.

[@raffitchakmakjian]

Hey Kev, longtime follower, have had this in my 'watch later ' for a while now. Came to MceeDees today to have a cup of joe, watched the vid, was kind of hoping youd put one of the bikes through the paces in the melty weather. In any case, pretty informative. Made me wonder if there are ebikes designed specifically for extreme weather. I moved to Texas in October of '21 from Nevada, and I really hate the humidity here in the south (Houston). Sweating here doesnt cool you down, don't know how people are ok living like this lol. Anyway, you made me want a fossil fuel scooter again.

[@KevCentral]

I’ve spent 90+% of my two wheeling the past month on my scooter. Still miserably hot, but I can get my fix and no dehydrate on a long ride 👍🏻

[@johnw65]

Do e-cars use lithium batteries? They're out in the worst extremes... Working in summer heat over pavement and working in the dead of winter in sub freezing temperatures! Hard to believe our ebike batteries are so fragile.

[@SonjaTheDork]

Electric cars use either lithium ion or lithium phosphate batteries, while conventional cars use lead acid batteries

[@KevCentral]

If you’re referring to electric cars, most use lithium ion. They also have built-in battery warmers and coolers to help keep the cells healthy.

[@johnw65]

Thanks @@KevCentral, I had wondered how elec cars could be driven to work in January, park all day at single digit temperatures and be able to drive home in the evening!

[@mattbaillargeon]

Heat definitely effects battery. I’ve been riding electric skateboards for about 5 years and there is a noticeable difference in performance and range when it’s hot out. Best to ride in mornings or during sunset to keep the cells running efficiently 😊

[@terrythompson609]

they need to make closeable air louvers on battery case

[@jons4542]

I wouldn’t have ridden any e-bike here in Phoenix for the last 31 days of over 110 degrees. Even my body’s battery is dead. It’s been an oven outside. But today on 7/31 we will break that with only a high of 103. 😂

[@nonexistant2k3]

I can pull a bike out of the sun but is batfeeysupposedto be out of the sun?

[@gulfcitynd]

Range wise maybe but cold is a bigger deal

[@troypfuhl14]

Kev, haven't watched the video yet but that is a question I've been wondering about for some time now, just because of all the different electronics, from hover board to tesla catching fire randomly. Troy 😎

[@D3R3K72]

Good R and D!

[@arthurquinn7515]

It's 87 where I live my battery doesn't like it

[@jaredkarpinski3460]

buy a white bike instead. black absorbs heat. some lithium battery's for extreme cold conditions have heating elements inside. easier to heat a battery in extreme cold then to keep a battery cool in extreme heat. plus your battery will heat up if discharging or charging.

[@nonexistant2k3]

They want the bike or the battery out of that heat level?

[@KevCentral]

Most of what I’ve read says to “move the bike,” but I did see one or two that mention removing the battery. That tells me they (mfg’s) know it’s a potential problem for battery longevity.

[@mrupholsteryman]

I liked for the algorithm...but not into the electric (bikes/scooters) at moment...Maybe when I'm 90+ yrs old? Haha!

[@qibble455]

@1:20 hehe I think you meant the downtube.

[@KevCentral]

What did I say?…I never really know what’s coming out

[@qibble455]

@@KevCentral Top tube:)

[@ROBinJVILLE]

Not just heat, but cold also affects the battery.

[@Wile-E-Coyote_Super_Genius]

Kev...it sounds like you're screwed.

[@KevCentral]

?

[@rubidacherry1003]

Hi

[@michaelfrankie8443]

Common sense tells you that

[@shanescully2315]

Lithium iñ energy, was never thought th4u,wàß never teßted iñ uñ ideal ways,as humanß we ßtàrt by crawliñg and we eventually learñ h92 to walk

[@THEGARNERCOLLECTIVE]

You will have to get your top off when your riding lol helmet shorts and shoes only lol.

[@chow-chihuang4903]

I find I get less hot wearing loose-fitting long-sleeve tops and pants on hot days. Keep the sun off you and the baggy clothes let air blow over your skin to evaporate sweat and cool you, especially when moving.

[@MarvinWestmaas]

All 'performance numbers' are done with '15km/h rider weight 70kg and no hills / wind'. So you take 70% of what manufacturers state. Batteries are the most expensive part of an ebike build, but electricity is still cheaper as gas in the long run. If you calculate you need 800wh, get a battery which the manufacturer states gives you 1000wh. Then this complains about hot weather, I guess global warming should be promoted more with those disgusting ICE's. The issue with losing lots of capacity in stored li-ion batteries occurs almost *only* when you 'store it charged'. Store your battery at 40% charge instead of 100% and even storing it at 60c will 'only' loose you 1/4 capacity where if you store it 100% at 60c you will have lost 60% in 3 months not one year. And about 'to high temperatures while in use' -> that's a 'you get what you pay for' issue. Again, the cheap Ali express packs will sometimes not even use a 'true' bms let alone have anything regarding proper thermal management. But.. you don't attribute these 'risks' to an entire industry... that's like claiming all airliners fall out of the sky just because one manufacturer made an oopsie with some programming code in one of their models. But buy your battery from a reputable source and it will limit power draw when temps get to high, or even just shut off entirely to protect the cells. Buy your battery from a shady merchant on ebay / ali, with multiple 1 star reviews but hey they are really really cheap and you just need a battery... and you might need an entire house after it burned down catching fire when charging. Now, electric cars with their big battery packs have active cooling ( more often then not at least ), and ebikes do not. Will your batteries suffer when you life in a hot dessert, I am certain they will. But most of humanity does not life in a dessert, most of us life in a temperate climate where not the upper bound of li-ion is the threat but the winter months when you can remove 1/3rd of your range ( though again, if you know this beforehand, you calculate how many wh you need for your commute or rides in worst conditions, and then add some buffer and you buy that ).

[@nopenope5812]

Sorry, but the heat has not been any different than years past

[@KevCentral]

Records are being broken over and over, and the global average has also surpassed recorded rates, so there is a difference

[@nopenope5812]

@@KevCentral so how long have records been recorded? I know a while, but what we are see here is no different than before. Don’t believe the hype.

[@DrTofutybeast]

Bla blah