There has been a negative stigma on electric bike batteries in the UK, with reported incidents of batteries overheating causing a thermal event. This is usually caused by unsafe E-bike battery components such as chargers and batteries that are not compatible.
Although this small minority of unregulated E-bike batteries get the headlines in the UK media, brands like Giant commit to the safest E-bike battery standards, which is exactly what Singletrack World Magazine’s Mark Alker wanted to unpick. In his recent article, he discusses the myths of electric bikes using Giant’s leading E-bike technology as an example of a brand that exceeds E-bike safety standards.
Alker opens the article by revealing he spent time in Utah with Giant’s E-bike tech experts and designers, specifically learning about Giant’s leading E-bike battery technology. He reveals he learnt about batteries being made up of individual cells. He writes “Giant E-bike batteries are constructed from individual cells, but these cells differ significantly from the standard batteries you might find in everyday electronics.”
Alker then discusses Lithium-Ion or LIon cells, and how they are used for everyday electrical products. However, he highlights that there are several types of Lion cells with different characteristics and applications.
“Giant, for instance, opts for a specific type known as Lithium Cobalt Manganese. This selection is particularly noteworthy, as it combines the benefits of high energy density with stable performance and safety.”
Giant’s E-bike battery technology ensures that the bikes are capable of handling the most demanding conditions of various riding styles and terrain, making Giant a leading choice of brand for E-bike enthusiasts.
Giant’s batteries are Lithium Cobalt Manganese batteries. They have two main benefits: extended battery lifespan and high energy density, which Giant prioritises.
“The combination of innovative cell chemistry and advanced battery management systems allows for optimal energy use and performance, making the riding experience not just enjoyable but also reliable.”
Alker next goes into more detail on Giant’s E-bike battery cell technology. He writes that Giant’s E-bike batteries are manufactured by Panasonic, and the size of the individual cells even exceed Tesla.
“They are designated 22700, which means they have a diameter 5% larger than Tesla cells.”
What does this mean? It means increased performance. We believe our batteries should only be recharged twice as often as standard E-bike batteries, meaning they will last you years longer!
Giant’s batteries also have a charge cycle of 2300, meaning you can charge the battery from 0-100% 2300 times! This also includes any combination of smaller charges that add up to 100%. For example, 50% charges can be done a remarkable 4600 times!
“So, lifespan of say 2300 charge cycles claimed by Giant for their batteries means that after 2300 charge cycles it will likely only hold 80% of it’s original charge. If you find you are rarely ever getting back from a ride with less than 20% ‘in the tank’ then this kind of means your battery will serve you just fine for much longer than 2300 charges.”
Finally, Alker summarises the Singletrack World article discussing Giant’s commitment to battery safety, stating that each individual battery cell in Giant’s E-bikes is encased in a fireproof shell to minimise the risk of a thermal event.
Here is a list of our safety features which you can find more information our dedicated E-bike battery technology page.
- Batteries feature overcharge protection
- The charger talks to the battery to ensure all cells are charged equally
- The cells charge individually, reaching equal charge at the same time
- Each battery has a waterproof sleeve
- The battery is robust, it can stand a fall of over a metre high
- Integrated fuses, protect against high currents
“Which does bring us to one big charging safety tip. Use the charger that comes with your bike. Don’t be tempted to buy yourself a cheap spare or try to use a charger from another brand. Each of the major bike brands tend to match the charging charateristics of their chargers to their specific battery configuration. Maximum charging safety comes from a combination of the features in side the battery AND the charger.”
Read the full article ‘Ebike battery tech unpicking the myths from reality’.