Everything you need to know about ebikes and charging and maintenance columns

‘The idea of a city in which the bicycle prevails is not pure fantasy‘ is a quote from Marc Augè (French philosopher, writer and anthropologist) and the motto of Bike Facilities.

Indeed, we work for a world in which the bicycle, whether muscular or pedal-assisted (ebike), is the main means of transport for every individual, thanks also to a network of recharging points and efficient local services.

In this article we have collected the most frequently asked questions we receive daily from administrations and market operators who are considering the purchase of charging and maintenance columns.

How are ebike batteries recharged?

Recharging ebike batteries is simple and affordable for everyone. In fact, it can be done via a normal domestic socket (220 V) using the appropriate charger.

Since there are no uniform standards for chargers – generally speaking – each biker carries his own charger. Exactly in the same way as a smartphone charger.

However, if you are an accommodation provider, we would advise against using a normal household socket as a charging point for ebikes, but to use systems that are also certified for use in a public environment so that you can become an attraction for passing cycle tourists.

Furthermore, not all batteries are removable, which means that guests of your facility are not able to take them to their rooms to charge them. This means that you need to have the infrastructure in place to fulfil this function.

What is the lifetime of a battery?

There is no single answer to this question. Several parameters come into play:

• the weight of the biker
• the motor torque;
• the battery capacity;
• the type of bike;
• the ebike’s tyres and tyre pressure;
• the terrain and road surface;
• the wind conditions;
• the level of assistance required by the biker.

How much does it cost to recharge the battery of an ebike?

To calculate how much it costs to recharge the battery, a small mathematical calculation is required.

First we need to find out the capacity of the battery: this generally ranges from 250 Wh to 700 Wh. Second thing we need to know is the cost of electricity.

According to the Authority for Energy and Gas (ARERA) in Italy, the cost of kWh – as of 16 March 2022 – amounts to 0.293 €/kWh. However, in the free market each supplier applies different costs.

If we refer to the cost defined by ARERA, recharging the battery of an ebike ranges from 7 cents to 20 cents.

How long does it take to recharge the battery of an ebike?

Generally, the charging time is 3 to 5 hours. However, it must be said that this time varies depending on the capacity of the battery itself and the type of charging current: the greater the capacity of the battery, the longer the charging time will be. Another element to take into account – just like smartphones – is the battery level before charging.

Bike Facilities’ top-of-the-range charging column can be equipped with 4 Schuko charging sockets and thus allow up to four batteries to be charged simultaneously. It is easy to install and requires no special maintenance: in the first case it is fixed to a concrete surface or any hard surface through 4 holes; while the second case is made possible by galvanised aluminium and powder coating.

Se vuoi trovare la soluzione migliore per essere sempre più bike friendly o vuoi avere maggiori informazioni contattaci senza impegno.