E-bikes are being touted as a major solution for sustainable transportation. People’s concern is whether or not these are as sustainable as we were led to believe. Is this a reasonable concern that has some basis?
This article will take a closer look at e-bike batteries and whether or not these are still sustainable alternative transportation.
Understanding E-Bike Batteries
Lithium-ion batters are usually the battery of choice for e-bikes. This is because they can hold a lot of power while still being lightweight. One of the first things to talk about is the sustainability of mining the lithium required for these batteries.
The first thing to talk about is the negative impact when it comes to mining lithium. The one process used to extract lithium is called “brine-water evaporation”. The problem with this extraction process is that it can use up a lot of the clean water in the areas where it’s used. This not only impacts the population but also impacts the vegetation and agricultural industries in those areas. They also use chemicals when extracting lithium, which can get into the clean water supply.
The argument is that the materials used to make the current e-bike batteries should be replaced with materials that have less of an impact on societies and the environment.
Here are some things to consider with e-bike battery sustainability:
Waste of Lead Batteries
E-bike batteries only last for, at most, a couple of years. This means that the biker will need to buy several batteries over the course of using their bikes. Batteries that are made with lead can, unfortunately, pose potential issues for the environment if you have to replace them every few years. The problem with lead batteries is that they can release the lead into their surroundings, which can be hazardous.
Fortunately, lithium-ion batteries are becoming the standard for e-bikes. While as previously mentioned, there are still issues with lithium-ion batteries, they do tend to last longer and don’t pose hazards to the environment as waste as lead batteries do.
Problems with Production
The fact that mining materials for e-bike batteries is bad for the environment has already been discussed. But this is something that does deserve to be looked at a little closer.
Between the issues with the mining practices harming the society and environment around the mining site, there are concerns that need to be addressed. There is also a problem with the carbon emissions that are associated with extracting these minerals.
Production of e-bike batteries is a problem, one that companies are trying to address the best that they can. Some ways they are trying to mitigate the environmental impact of battery production includes:
- Minimizing or completely omitting the use of materials like cobalt.
- Extending the longevity of lithium batteries will reduce the number of materials needed.
- Utilizing recycling methods to recover metals to use in other batteries, rather than having to mine for more.
By doing these things, you are able to reduce the impact of extracting and producing batteries for the best electric bikes and vehicles, which will make them an even more sustainable choice.
Improving Batteries in the Future
A lot of e-bikes are now moving towards lithium-ion batteries. These are rechargeable batteries that have a low self-discharge rate. These can offer an excellent range as bikers ride around. These batteries are becoming more lightweight as technology advances, which can allow them to power robust motors without adding a lot of bulk to the bike.
How E-Bikes are a Sustainable Choice
Even considering what we know about what producing these batteries entail, these are still a sustainable form of transportation. As you because less reliant on cars, you can reduce the noise and environmental pollution cars give off. E-bikes also help ease traffic congestion, which can further reduce the carbon emissions from cars being on the road.
You can ease a lot of problems in urban settings by moving to a bike to get around as much as possible. You don’t have to worry as much about parking and you can more easily navigate than you would in a car, especially when you consider traffic congestion that often plagues cities. It also makes it easier to get to public transportation, making them a more convenient option than ever.
You can choose to charge your e-bike during off-peak hours, which can reduce the environmental impact of charging your bike. That is if you are going to use the power grid to charge your battery. You do have the option of charging your battery with more sustainable options, such as using solar power. Plus, if you do charge using the power grid during off-peak hours, you will pay less to charge your battery.
The fact is that an electric bike is the most eco-friendly to get around. Some bike options even offer ranges of up to 30 miles on a single charge. That means you can easily get to where you need to and back on a single charge, especially if it’s just a short commute where you are going.
It’s also the most sustainable as far as your wallet goes. While e-bikes may be a bit of an investment when you first buy them, consider the savings you ultimately get. You don’t have to worry about the added costs that cars bring including maintenance, insurance, and fuel costs. There’s also no need to worry about parking fees.
E-bikes are a cost-effective and more sustainable method of transportation. This is why there has been a push to incorporate e-bikes in major cities.
Conclusion
As you can see, even considering the downsides of e-bike batteries they are still one of the most sustainable transportation options that you can choose from. There are improvements that need to be made in order to make these batteries even more sustainable, but even without these improvements e-bikes are still a good option.
The batteries are getting better and better as technology advance. Soon enough, this won’t even be a factor when considering the sustainability of e-bikes.
About the author:
Trevor Fenner is the founder of Electric Bike Paradise, the #1 online retailer of electric bikes, electric scooters, electric skateboards, mobility scooters, electric wheelchairs, and electric golf caddies. Trevor has been selling bicycles, electric bikes, and electric scooters online since 2010 and eventually established Electric Bike Paradise in late 2013 when he happened to meet a car enthusiast that introduced him to electric bikes. Trevor spent time searching for electric bikes online but couldn’t find a website that offered a wide selection of electric bikes, scooters, and informational articles. That is why he decided to start a website where everyone can shop conveniently, browse buying guides, and read educational posts. The website is called Electric Bike Paradise.
