When thinking about electric bikes with removable battery, the first thing that comes to mind is the ability to use them everywhere and for a relatively long distance justifying their price. However, there is one important factor that determines whether an ebike is worth buying or not: the type, charge capacity, and portability of the battery on board.
Ebike manufacturers are constantly improving their models, offering better performance, comfort, and safety features, however, one problem with most e-bikes is that they come with nonremovable batteries.
We all know how annoying it can be to have to carry a 40-plus pound e-bike around all the time so we can plug it into the nearest wall outlet or an extension cord. It’s not something we enjoy but we do it out of need because, well, how else could we get the ebike recharged?
Storing and charging electric bikes with non-removable batteries can be a pain. But, what if I told you that owning an electric bike doesn’t necessarily have to be an exhaustingly demanding experience?
In this article, we’ll go over one of the most convenient innovations in the e-bike industry – removable batteries. We will also mention a few electric bikes with removable batteries you should know about so stick around till the end.
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Are Electric Bikes with Removable Battery Real?
Generally speaking, there’s no e-bike with a battery that can’t be removed. It’s just that the process is easier and more straightforward on some electric bikes than it is on others.
In an electric bike with a detachable battery, all you have to do to remove it is unlock the battery (typically using a key) and undo whatever mechanism the manufacturers used to fasten the pack to the frame. The process is a bit more complicated on electric bikes with unremovable batteries.
You’d probably have to take the frame apart to gain access to the battery. Even if you’re able to do that yourself, chances are you might need some technical know-how when removing/separating the battery from the bike’s controller.
In a nutshell, all e-bike batteries can be removed from their frames. The real question is will you be able to quickly and efficiently get the battery out of the frame without using any sort of tools?
Types of Electric Bikes with Removable Battery Systems
1) Frame-integrated Designs
Electric bikes in this category usually have a portion of their frames cut out to house their batteries (which are also built to fit into these cut-out areas without protruding out of the frame)
They are very similar to electric bikes that have their batteries locked inside their frame. The major difference between the two is that one’s design supports easy and quick removal while the other can only be accessed when the bike is taken apart.
A few good examples of electric bikes that use this system include the Aventon Pace 500 and the Ride1Up LMT’D. At first glance these bikes look like regular bikes, however, if you take a closer look at them you’ll find that their batteries are well hidden in the frame.
2) Removable Seat Tube Batteries
These types of batteries are usually located behind the bike’s seat tube. A perfect example would be the Lectric X premium‘s secondary battery.
This battery is attached to the bike’s seat tube but can be removed for external charging.
3) Removable Rear Rack Batteries
This is the least popular type of removable battery design you can find anywhere. Electric bikes in this category usually have their batteries positioned just under their rear racks.
An example of a production e-bike that implements this design is the Schwinn Mendocino; a cruiser e-bike with a 250-watt motor.
4) Semi-integrated Removable Batteries
This design is very similar to frame-integrated systems.
Like frame-integrated removable batteries, semi-integrated batteries are also fitted into a bike’s down tube. However, they tend to stick out of the frame as opposed to being completely lodged into the frame.
Check out RadPower’s RadCity 5 Plus to get an idea of what electric bikes in this class look like.
5) Bolt-on Removable Batteries
Bolt-on batteries are probably the oldest e-bike battery design. The first commercial electric bikes rolled out with battery packs bolted onto their frames (usually on their down or top tubes).
To this day, some electric bike manufacturers still use this design. It’s a simple and cost-effective option since manufacturers don’t have to cut into the frame or design a separate compartment for the battery.
Below is an image of the RadWagon 4; an electric bike with a bolt-on swappable battery.
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Things to Look Out for When Buying an Electric Bikes with Removable Battery?
1) It Should Have a Locking Mechanism That Prevents Theft
E-bike battery packs are one of the most expensive components on an electric bicycle. They usually account for around a third of an entire bikes’ price and might be a target for bicycle thieves as they can easily be sold online to other e-bike owners.
This is why it’s important that you go through an e-bike’s specifications before paying for it. E-bikes with keyed battery systems are generally more secure from theft than electric bikes with regular clamping mechanisms.
This is especially important if you park your bike in public spaces unattended.
2) Position of the Battery in/on the Bike’s Frame
The position of an e-bike’s battery pack in its frame also goes a long way in determining the types of use cases it might be suitable for. Electric bikes with removable batteries fitted to open locations on their frames are at greater risk of suffering water damage than those with well-hidden battery compartments.
Water can easily trickle into the battery compartment of an electric bike whose battery pack sits at the top of its down tube and erode its contacts. The same can be said about batteries that are attached to an e-bike’s seat tube.
I personally feel like the battery design with the most protection against ingress from water is one that allows the battery sit at the bottom of the down tube as shown in the video below.
Two e-bikes that fit this description include the Ride1Up 700 and the Aventon Level 2.
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Why Choose Electric Bikes With Removable Battery
1) They Are Easier to Store
Extreme weather temperatures affect an e-bike battery’s ability to store a charge. This is why bike experts advise riders to store their e-bikes indoors and at room temperature when it’s very cold outside.
Electric bikes with removable batteries offer more practicality in such situations than those with batteries locked inside their frames. With the latter, you’d have to store the entire bike at room temperature to make sure it doesn’t get affected by bad weather.
This might not be easy for someone who stays in an apartment with very limited storage space.
2) They Provide More Flexibility
Most e-bike batteries take between four to six hours to fully charge. That’s some serious downtime for someone who uses an electric bike as their major means of transportation.
Electric bikes with detachable batteries offer more flexibility in this regard. The fact that you can easily swap out depleted packs for fully charged ones makes these kinds of bikes one of the most time-efficient e-biking solutions you can ever find.
Easy-to-swap battery systems can also help extend your bike’s range. If you’re able to cover about 30 miles of range on one fully-charged battery, imagine how much distance you’ll be able to get out of two or more batteries if you can quickly swap them out on the go.
3) They Are Easy to Replace
If your e-bike uses a hidden battery system, chances are you won’t be able to replace the battery without reaching out to the manufacturer or taking it to a bike shop. With removable batteries, all you need to do is purchase a compatible battery pack (this could be from the manufacturer or a third-party seller), detach the degraded or faulty one, and lock the new one on or into the frame.
With removable batteries, it’s really that simple.
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What Are the Downsides of an Electric Bike With Removable Battery?
1) They Cost More
Removable batteries require a different frame design and engineering than electric bikes with integrated packs. All the complex mechanisms that promote easy removal are what make them cost more than their fixed counterparts.
2) They Are Usually Heavier
In the case of frame-integrated battery designs where parts of the frame are cut out to create space for the battery, manufacturers have no other choice but to reinforce other tubes on the frame to make sure it still maintains a high level of rigidity.
3) They Can Be Easily Stolen
If your e-bike’s battery doesn’t have some sort of locking mechanism, it could easily get stolen by bicycle thieves. This is why I strongly advise riders to only purchase e-bikes that have keyed battery-locking systems.
If all you have to do to get an e-bike’s battery out of its frame is to unfasten the locking mechanism that keeps it in place, you might have a problem. Because all it’ll take for someone else to remove your battery is for them to watch you while you do it.
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What Are The Best Electric Bikes With Removable Battery?
Regular Electric Bikes With Removable Battery
1) Radrunner Plus
This 750W utility e-bike comes with a removable 672Wh battery attached to its seat tube. It can reportedly cover up to 45 miles of range on a single charge and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 20 miles an hour.
The bike also comes with 180mm mechanical disc brakes, front suspension, an integrated rear rack that can support up to 120lbs of weight, full-length fenders, and a heavy-duty kickstand.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 750W Geared Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 45+ Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 14Ah Lithium-Ion Battery
- Speed | 20 MPH
2) Aventon Aventure
The Aventon Aventure is a fat-tire e-bike with a frame-integrated removable battery. One thing I love about this e-bike is how its battery fits seamlessly into the left side of its down tube.
If you look at the bike from the other side (I.e the right side) you might think the battery is locked into the frame because there are no gaps that indicate the battery is removable.
It’s also a very powerful electric bicycle capable of generating up to 1100W of power at peak performance.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (136 kg)
- Motor | 750W Rear Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 45 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 15Ah Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 28 MPH
3) Juiced Crosscurrent X
Juiced is known for equipping its bikes with some of the highest-capacity batteries on the market and the CrossCurrent isn’t any different. This e-bike comes with a partially integrated 52V 15Ah lithium-ion battery that can store up enough energy for 50- to 60-mile travels.
It is equipped with a 750W geared hub motor that is capable of outputting up to 1300 Watts of power. It also comes with hydraulic disc brakes, a heavy-duty rear rack, front and rear lights, full-length fenders, and an advanced LCD display.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 275 lbs (125 kg)
- Motor | 750W Retroblade Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 55+ Miles per Charge
- Battery | 52V, 15Ah Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 28 MPH
Foldable Electric Bikes With Removable Battery
1) Lectric XPremium
The Lectric XPremium comes with not one, but two removable batteries. One of the batteries fits seamlessly into the bike’s down tube while the other comes attached to the seat tube. Both packs guarantee up to 100 miles of travel when fully charged.
The bike itself comes with some pretty impressive features for a bicycle in its price range. It is equipped with a 500W mid-drive motor that propels it to speeds of up to 28mph and a 7-speed drivetrain that can adapt all of that power depending on the rider’s needs.
Some of its other features include 4” wide tires, 160mm hydraulic disc brakes, a rear-mounted kickstand, full-length fenders, etc.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 330 lbs (150 kg)
- Motor | 500W (800W+ Peak) Mid-drive Motor
- Range | Up to 100 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 10.4Ah Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 28 MPH
2) Aventon Sinch Step-through
The Sinch is another electric folding bike that comes with a removable battery. This one comes with just one battery and it’s housed inside the bike’s front frame.
Like the Lectric Xpremium, it folds at the bottom bracket area and at the stem. Below are the specifications of the Aventon Sinch.
- 500W brushless hub motor
- Color LCD display with smartphone connectivity
- 48V 14Ah battery with LG cells
- Cadence and speed sensor
- Front suspension forks with 45mm of travel
- 180mm mechanical disc brakes
- 7-speed drivetrain
- 300lbs maximum payload capacity
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 300 lbs (137 kg)
- Motor | 750W (peak) 500W (sustained) Brushless Motor
- Range | Up to 40 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 48V, 14Ah Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 20 MPH
3) Swagtron EB7 Plus
If you’re in the market for a compact foldable ebike, perhaps you should consider the Swagtron EB7 Plus. It comes with a 350-watt electric motor and a 36V 6.4A battery positioned inside its front frame.
To remove the battery, you’d first have to fold the bike in half. Once folded, you should see a keyhole just under the battery compartment. Insert the bike’s key into this and turn it and a small folding handle should reveal itself.
Pull this handle and the bike’s battery will slide out.
The bike weighs 42.3lbs (19 kg), is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 18mph, comes with rear suspension, and sells for under $1000 a unit.
Testing Evaluation
Tested against similar models within the same category
Main Features:
- Riders Weight Limit | 264 lbs (120 kg)
- Motor | 350W Rear Hub Motor
- Range | Up to 19 Miles per Charge
- Battery | 36V, 6.4Ah Lithium-ion Battery
- Speed | 18 MPH
