Batteries..........again

[tillson]

I thought that the article in AtoB Magazine regarding batteries was quite interesting.

First, it seems as though the older battery technologies such as NiMH are still performing well in comparison to Lithium-ion. This decade+ old NiMH technology delivers a more durable and longer lasting battery. The slightly lower energy density being compensated for by a depreciation cost 5 times lower than that of Lithium-ion batteries.

Second, the "quality" batteries actually work out to be the most expensive to use. Kalkhoff and Ezee being the worst. The old buy cheap, buy twice saying may actually make economic sense in this instance. I suppose the philosophy being that two or three cheap batteries will outlast one, "quality" expensive battery.

 

[flecc]

I suppose the philosophy being that two or three cheap batteries will outlast one, "quality" expensive battery.

I think this is often true, but there's more too it than cost. The higher power advanced batteries can produce a much better performance from the e-bike, as I know from experience with the new eZee battery.

Also that survey was not comparing like with like. Predictably, the Brompton Nano came out best, but you may remember our criticism of it's review, average speed on journey 16 mph in flattish territory but it only assists to 13/14 mph. In other words, the battery does little work.

By contrast, the eZee models have the most powerful legal motors and work their batteries correspondingly harder. So yes, they do cost substantially more, but the performance rewards, especially in tough territory, make that well worth while. That's why I've been riding two eZee models since mid 2006, and I wouldn't even consider using some they mentioned.
.

 

[tillson]

Yes, fair comments. There are many factors in the mix, some more important to one individual than another, making it very difficult to gain a true comparison. An interesting article though.

 

[flecc]

Yes, it was interesting, and it made some good points like the benefits of the (much missed) NiMh batteries.
.