Electric bikes have been around for a while now and many people prefer them to regular bikes. With tons of benefits of electric bikes, one big issue everyone seems to have is where to charge them. Being able to charge the ebike conveniently can be a big leap for ebike owners to ride their bikes more effortlessly.
So, if you’re wondering where can I charge my electric bike, you’re not alone.
Turns out, you can charge your electric bike in a bunch of different places. It’s possible to charge your electric bike in a gas station, bike shop, fast-food restaurant, public libraries, and many other places.
Well, some places and charging methods require extra cautions and some even have compatibility issues. Why not get to know about the electric bike, how it takes to charge it, and how the battery lasts while helping you know where to charge your ebike.
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Where Can I Charge My Electric Bike?
“Where can I charge my electric bike?” That’s the first question you’ll ask while handling an ebike. The first models of electric bikes made their way into the market in the 19th century. Needless to say, the earlier models had numerous issues, especially when charging is considered. But that’s not the case anymore with the advancement of ebike technology.
You can now have an ebike with a removable battery that doesn’t need the bike attached to it, just to charge! But many people still have a problem with charging it. So, here are places you can charge your e-bike:
1. Bike Shops
If you are on a trip with your e-bike charger, you can take a ride to a bike shop nearby to charge the bike. Since they sell and repair, bike shops will always have charging outlets to let people charge their bikes. However, it will be easier to convince the shop owner if you shop there.
2. Fast Food Restaurants
Most big restaurants won’t let you take your bike inside to charge it, and they mostly don’t have outlets outside. But, fast-food restaurants might be lenient enough to help you out. Also, they could have a charging outlet outside that you can use until you are ready to go. Charging in a fast-food restaurant might mean you will need to buy food from them.
3. Gas Stations
This is the easiest to find and to use as well. Gas stations are everywhere, and you don’t need to pay to enter any of them. The good part is that they always have power outlets, and all you need to do is ask. In addition, most gas stations will allow you to charge and leave at will, although you might have to patronize any of their services.
4. Packs And Campgrounds
Parks are free to access, and they are for leisure. Most people go there to relax and have fun. Since they have outlets in places like bathrooms and pavilions, you can charge your e-bike there. They are quite hard to find for campgrounds, but when you do, you can charge for free.
Charging in campgrounds might be tricky. It might have an adverse effect on your bicycle if it is not strong enough to move on the camp sandy or rough ground. Besides, you’ll need a higher battery backup and powerful enough for rough roads. So, choose an electric bike for camping that will come ready for bumpy rides with longer ride times.
5. Public Libraries
Public libraries are also good for charging e-bikes. You probably have to be reading there to get the chance. But, the main point is charging your bike, and we believe reading a book for charging your e-bike is not a problem. Most times, all you need to do is ask for permission to charge, and they will permit you.
It can be even easier if you have a removable battery on board. You can take the battery out and charge it inside, leaving the bike itself outside.
6. Coffee Shops
Have you ever been to a coffee shop? If yes, how does the attendant treat you? Coffee shop attendants are mostly nice, and they will serve you with a smile on their faces.
So, it is even easier to approach them to use their power outlet to charge your e-bike. Of course, there is no 100% probability that they will yield to your request, but the probability is quite high.
7. Grocery Stores
This mostly applies to bigger grocery stores since they have sitting spots and power outlets. A small grocery store might have power outlets, but they might not have space for you to side and wait for your bike battery to charge. So, find a bigger one where you can sit comfortably while you wait.
8. Universities
Charging your e-bike in universities is easy. People walk around with laptops, tablets, smartphones, and other devices that require power. They charge their device wherever there is an outlet, and you can do the same with your e-bike.
You don’t need to be a student at the university to charge for it. After all, universities don’t know all their students directly.
9. Your Relative Or Friend’s Place
This is one simple place to charge your e-bike. Just ask and then charge. It is safe to avoid battery theft or any situation of that sort. Some of your friends have outlets outside where you can just sit out and have fun with them while your battery charges.
10. Your Home Or Office
It is safer to charge your bike at your home or office. At your house, you are sure no one will steal your battery or any other part of the bicycle, likewise, in your office.
Alternative Charging Idea
The places we have listed above might not work for you. So, we have other means to charge or keep your electric bike in power till you get back home.
- Get a spare battery: This is helpful when you ride to places where there are no stores of any kind and your battery dies. In such cases, you can remove the dead battery and insert the one that has power. Then, continue your journey. The only problem you might have with this is the extra load of the spare battery.
- Get a battery with a solar panel: This will be the best choice if e-bike batteries have direct solar panels on them. That way, you can charge the bike while riding it. Unfortunately, you need to move along with an extra solar panel which is more load for you. However, some people prefer to beg stores for a chance to charge.
- Use a car battery: Using a car battery to charge your e-bike is not a bad means. But, taking the battery everywhere could be stressful since car batteries are heavy. However, it can charge your battery completely.
How Long Does It Take To Charge An Electric Bike?
If your electric bike is new, we advise you to charge the battery till it is full. This might take 24hours or less. But, an old bike will take about 2 to 6 hours to charge fully. Although most bike batteries come with a label, that has how long it will take to charge fully. The charging time isn’t fixed because there are factors to consider when calculating the time.
Factors like:
- Your charger’s rating in Amp
- Your bike battery capacity
- The condition of the ground of the environment you are traveling to or through. The ground condition might make the bikes go through it. Therefore, the battery will drain quickly.
- The distance you need to travel is also another factor to consider
- How low the battery was before you charge
How Long Does An Electric Bike Battery Charge Last?
After fully charging your electric bike battery, it can take about 30 to 70 miles before the battery power drains completely. However, this statistic might differ based on the capacity of the bike battery and the condition of the ground you are riding through.
If the battery capacity is low, it won’t be long before it runs down. But, if it is high, it will take longer to drain out all the energy. Also, if the environment overworks the e-bike because of its rocky, sandy, or hilly nature, the battery will drain quickly. But the reverse is the case if the surface is flat and smooth.
Final Thoughts
Keeping your electric bike on the run requires the battery to be in mint condition for which, you need to charge it regularly. Now that you know where you can charge your electric bike, you can easily find a place where you can recharge your ebike. The best option is getting an ebike with a removable battery and keeping an extra battery to switch the dead battery out with a fully charged one.
