How to Charge an Electric Bike

Reviewed by Jason Shackelford

Last Updated: November 23, 2023 References

Electric bikes are an economical and environmentally-friendly way to travel around your city. They’re also super fun to ride and easy to charge and maintain. You can take your battery off of your bike and charge it while you’re at school or work, or plug your charger directly into the battery while it’s attached to your bike. There are also a few things you can do to take care of your battery to keep it performing at its best.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Removing the Battery to Charge It

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1
Turn off the battery and release the battery lock to take it off of the bike. Locate the power button on your bike and turn it off to deactivate the battery so it’s safe to remove. If your electric bike uses a key to release the battery lock, insert the key and turn it to disengage the lock. If your bike uses clips or tabs to hold the battery, undo them to disengage the battery. Slide the battery off of the bike to remove it.^{[1]
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- Some bikes may require you to remove your seat in order to remove the battery.
- Don’t try to yank or jerk the battery off of the bike or you could damage the connections.
2
Connect the power cord and charger adapter and plug it into an outlet. Take the charging adapter that comes with your bike and insert the power cord into the slot on the adapter. Then, plug the power cord into a nearby electrical outlet.^{[2]
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- The power cord must match the port on the adapter in order to power it.
Charging Tip: Look for a green light on the charging adapter when you plug it in to make sure it’s working.

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3
Plug the charger into the charging port on the battery. Place the battery on an even surface such as your desk or flat on the ground and locate the charging port, which is usually found on the top or the side of the battery. Take your charger and insert it directly into the charging port until a light on the charger turns on to indicate that it’s charging your battery.^{[3]
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- The color of the indicator light varies from brand to brand but is usually either red or white.
4
Let the battery charge for 3-6 hours before reconnecting it to the bike. If your electric bike’s battery was low, it may take up to 6 hours until it’s fully charged. Leave the battery connected to the charger until the indicator light either changes colors, such as changing from red to green, or the indicator light turns off. Then, disconnect the battery from the charger and plug it back into your bike whenever you’re ready to use it.^{[4]
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- Don’t leave the battery connected to the charger once it’s fully charged to keep your battery from heating up or degrading over time.
- Avoid using your battery before it’s fully charged.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Plugging Directly into the Bike

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1
Place the bike in a stable standing position and locate the charging port. Lean the electric bike against a sturdy wall or activate the kickstand so it’s balanced in a standing position and won’t fall over easily. Look for the charging port on the battery, which is usually located on the top or the side of it and resembles a multi-pronged wall outlet.^{[5]
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- If you’re using an outdoor charging station, make sure your bike is secured on the bike rail so it won’t fall over.
Charging Tip: If you can’t find the charging port, look for a covering that slides to the side to expose it.
2
Plug the charger directly into the port on the battery. Plug your electric bike’s charger into a wall outlet and look for the green light on the charger to come on, which indicates that it’s connected to power. Take the charging cord and insert it directly into the charging port on your bike.^{[6]
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- Make sure the charger is fully plugged into the bike and won’t slide out of place.
- Most electric bike chargers will have a red or white indicator light that comes on while it’s charging.
3
Allow the bike to fully charge before you unplug it. Wait at least 3 hours and check the indicator light on the charger to see if it changes colors or turns off. If it hasn’t, wait another 30 minutes and then check it again. When the indicator light on the charger changes, unplug the charger from the bike.^{[7]
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- Disconnecting your bike before it’s fully charged can shorten your battery’s life over time.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Taking Care of Your Battery

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1
Charge your electric bike after every ride for a longer battery life. To ensure that your battery levels never get too low and your bike is always good to go, plug in your battery to charge every time you use your bike. Allow it to charge completely before you unplug it so you’re always at max capacity.^{[8]
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- Don’t leave your battery on the charger for too long once it’s fully charged, or the battery could heat up and start to lose its long-term storage capacity.
- Make it a habit that you always charge your bike when you’re done riding it.
After about 500 charges, your electric bike’s battery may start to lose some if its power. The amount of time a charge lasts you will start to get shorter and shorter as your battery ages. To keep your bike functioning at its best, replace the battery after about 1,000 charges, or every 2 years of regular use.^{[9]
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3
Store your battery with at least a half-charge to prolong its life. If you plan to store your electric bike for longer than a few weeks, make sure the battery has about a 50-60% charge. Storing your battery with little to no charge is bad for the long-term health of your battery.^{[10]
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- Recharging a completely dead battery will shorten your battery’s overall lifespan.
Charging Tip: A good rule of thumb is to never let your electric bike’s battery get lower than 20% charged.
4
Clean your battery whenever it gets dirty. Use a damp cloth to wipe down your electric bike and your bike’s battery whenever there’s a buildup of dirt and dust on it. For stubborn stains or grime, use a damp cloth with a few drops of dish soap added to it for extra cleaning power. Wipe down your bike and battery with a clean, dry cloth when you’re finished so there isn’t any moisture on the battery.^{[11]
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- Keeping your bike clean will make it look better and keep it functioning at its best.

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Tips

Keep your bike and battery clean for the best performance.

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Take your battery off of the charger once it’s fully charged so it doesn’t overheat.

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Always store your battery with at least 50% of a charge if you don’t plan to use your bike for more than a few weeks.

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