E-Bike Batteries: 48V vs 36V

When it comes to picking an e-bike, what battery voltage is right for you? Let&#;s explore the differences between 48V and 36V batteries so that you can confidently make the right choice.

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What Does Electric Bike Battery Voltage Mean?

Can You Use A 48V Battery On A 36V Bike, And Vice-Versa?

How Long Does a 36 Volt E-Bike Battery Last? What About a 48 Volt E-Bike Battery?

Which Is Better: 36V or 48V Battery?

What Is The Battery Voltage Of Magnum Bike Models?

I Need Help Finding The Best Magnum E-Bike For Me

What Does Electric Bike Battery Voltage Mean?

The Magnum Cosmo S features a 48V battery with 15Ah and 720Wh.

The voltage on your e-bike battery is the amount of power it can potentially deliver at one time. In our complete guide to e-bike batteries, we describe it as the water pressure in a hose: higher voltage means a more powerful flow of electricity from the battery, just like a higher-pressure setting on a hose delivers a more powerful stream of water. 

So between a 36V and 48V battery, the 48V battery&#;s higher voltage means it can deliver more power to your e-bike&#;s electric system.

Voltage works in tandem with amp-hours or Ah (the amount of power your battery can deliver in one hour) and watt-hours (voltage multiplied by Ah) to determine the overall capacity and range of your battery. In particular, watt-hours help to determine an e-bike&#;s range: the distance or duration at which you can ride before needing a charge.

That said, your battery power isn&#;t the only thing responsible for determining the power of your e-bike. 

Your battery&#;s power first goes to your e-bike&#;s controller, which uses inputs from your pedal assist system and/or throttle to regulate the amount of power that it ultimately sends to your e-bike&#;s motor. Check out our post about your e-bike&#;s electric system for more detail on that.

Here&#;s what this all means when it comes to battery and motor compatibility.

Can You Use A 48V Battery On A 36V Bike, And Vice-Versa?

Technically, yes &#;

But while your e-bike will probably power on and function, you can cause damage to your e-bike by using a battery with higher voltage than the e-bike&#;s motor and/or controller are designed to handle. That&#;s the case when using a 48V battery on a maximum 36V motor or controller. 

On the other hand, using a 36V battery on an e-bike with a controller and motor specced for up to 48V won&#;t let you take full advantage of that battery&#;s potential power.

For this same reason, you should also be sure that the battery charger you&#;re using is compatible with your battery&#;s voltage. Specifically, avoid using a charger that has a higher voltage than your battery! 

WARNING: Using a charger that has a higher voltage than your battery could blow fuses in the battery, ruin your battery, and even potentially cause it to catch fire. 

Conversely, using a charger with a lower voltage than your battery will simply not provide enough power to charge your battery.

We recommend keeping the same voltage across all your e-bike parts. That&#;s for your safety, to preserve your warranty, and for the best performance. So always double-check the compatibility of any new or replacement parts &#; especially when purchasing from third parties.

How Long Does a 36 Volt E-Bike Battery Last? What About a 48 Volt E-Bike Battery?

Take great care of your e-bike battery and it&#;ll take great care of you. Pictured: the Magnum Ranger 2.0.

The life of your battery has 2 key components: the life between charges and the overall life of your battery from purchase to replacement. We&#;ll look at both now.

Life of a Single Charge

Battery voltage doesn&#;t actually dictate how long your battery holds a charge. That goes back to range and watt-hours: how much power your battery can deliver in an hour.

So when looking at how long your battery can last on a single charge, don&#;t consider the voltage so much as the watt-hours listed for your bike.

Other factors that impact how quickly your battery discharges include:

• Weight (including bike weight, load weight, and rider weight)
• Amount and degree of use (occasional light pedal assistance vs. revving the throttle for the whole ride)
• Terrain (flat road vs. hills, sand vs. concrete)

Life Of Your Battery

Just as the voltage of your battery doesn&#;t impact how long your charge will last, it also doesn&#;t affect the timeline for replacing your battery. 

Instead, the life of your e-bike battery depends on its quality, use, and storage. With proper care, Magnum Bikes batteries will retain their full capacity for about 800 to 1,000 complete charge cycles. For typical riders, that can be anywhere from 2 to 5 years of use. 

Even after that time, your battery will still retain about 80% efficiency &#; meaning you can continue to use it, but it may not be able to charge to its full voltage capacity or last as long between charges. 

For a long-lasting battery, be sure to:

• Store it indoors, close to room temperature
• Let your battery rest before charging (after rides) and after charging (before your next ride)
• Charge when your battery gets low (one power bar), instead of waiting until it fully powers down
• Remove your battery from the charger when its charging cycle is complete

Which Is Better: 36V or 48V Battery?

Pick the right battery for the way you love to ride. Pictured: our Peak T7 Mountain E-Bike.

While you might be hoping for a definitive answer, choosing the battery that&#;s best for you is a personal decision. 

You&#;ll want to consider the following factors:

How Do I Use My Battery? 

If you ride mostly &#;analog&#; without powering on your pedal assist system or using your throttle on a regular basis, battery voltage may not matter as much to you. You can probably select just about any voltage and be happy with your choice, as you&#;re probably more interested in other features of your e-bike.

On the other hand, if you use pedal assistance regularly (especially on high-assistance settings) or often rely on the throttle to start your rides and power up hills, your battery will matter a lot to you! Consider a higher-voltage battery, but balance that decision with the potential added weight.

How Much Does E-Bike Weight Matter To Me?

Higher-voltage batteries are often heavier than those with lower voltage. That&#;s due to the additional cells required to generate that extra voltage. 

A heavier battery will affect the overall weight of your e-bike. 

E-bike weight, coupled with rider weight and the weight of any load you carry while riding, can impact battery efficiency. It may also make transporting your e-bike more cumbersome, especially if you need to load it into a vehicle or onto a bike rack.

If a lighter-weight bike is a higher priority than a high-voltage battery, a 36V e-bike might be the right choice for you.

Is E-Bike Price a Factor?

Since higher-voltage batteries require more cells, you&#;ll also usually find a cost difference. Since the controller and motor are also designed around this voltage, this ultimately means that an e-bike with a 48V battery will often cost more than one with a 36V battery.

If price is a big priority for you, choosing a 36V e-bike may save you some money. 

But that doesn&#;t necessarily mean you need to compromise!

The Magnum Bikes crew prides itself on making high-quality, high-powered e-bikes accessible and affordable to everyone. And for that reason, nearly all of our e-bikes are 48V &#; while still offering competitive prices.

What Is The Battery Voltage Of Magnum Bike Models?

The battery on our Pathfinder 350 is unique among all Magnum Bikes models &#; it&#;s the only 36V model we sell.

Almost every e-bike we sell is a 48V e-bike! 

The only exception is our Pathfinder 350, which features a 36V battery. 

With a compact frame, 20&#; wheels with fat tires, a 350W motor, and our most affordable MSRP, the 36V Pathfinder 350 offers 13Ah (the same as many of our Metro Series and Summit models) and 468Wh (almost as many as our Navigator X and Cosmo models). That means long-range rides are still well within your reach on this model.

I Need Help Finding The Best Magnum E-Bike For Me 

Now you know more about choosing the right e-bike battery for you! But, you may still have questions about how to pick your perfect e-bike.

No problem &#; there&#;s a quiz for that! Take our quiz to find your ideal Magnum Bikes e-bike.

Surging e-bike demand emphasizes the pivotal role of batteries in performance. A top-tier battery not only guarantees efficient power but also influences speed, range, and durability. For manufacturers, selecting the optimal voltage, be it a 36V battery for electric bike or a 48V e bike battery, profoundly impacts product success in the market.

Pros:

Affordable: 36V e-bikes are often more affordable and suitable for a wider range of riders.

Energy efficient: They tend to be more energy efficient and can travel longer on a single charge.

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Lighter weight: 36V systems are typically lighter and easier to handle and transport.

Disadvantages:

Reduced power: They may lack the absolute power and torque of a high-voltage e-bike, which can affect performance on steep hills or heavier loads.

Limited Speed: While 36V e-bikes can still go fast, they may not be able to reach the higher speeds of 48V e-bikes.

Pros:

Higher speed and torque: 48V e-bikes pack a bigger punch, providing faster acceleration and greater hill climbing ability.

Longer life: Their batteries tend to last longer, ensuring they can cover more ground on a single charge.

Versatility: 48V systems are versatile and can handle a variety of terrains and riding styles.

Disadvantages:

Higher Cost: In general, 48V e-bikes are more expensive due to their enhanced performance.

Voltage Basics:

Voltage is the core parameter of an e-bike battery, measuring the force of current pushing through the battery. Different voltages directly shape the performance, range, cost and compatibility of e-bikes.

First of all, voltage is closely related to performance. Higher voltages typically result in greater power output, improving acceleration and top speed. When challenged with more complex riding scenarios, such as climbing hills, a 48V system may have an advantage over a 36V.

Second, voltage has a profound effect on range. Higher voltage lowers current and reduces resistive losses, thus improving energy efficiency. However, it should be noted that range is affected by multiple factors, including battery capacity. Correctly matching a high voltage to a battery of sufficient capacity is the key to ensuring longer range.

Voltage selection is also related to cost and compatibility. Higher voltage systems tend to be more expensive, and the associated components may be more expensive. Manufacturers need to balance voltage, performance, cost and market demand to ensure that their products are competitive in the marketplace.

There is a direct relationship between voltage and power, with power equaling voltage times current. Correct voltage selection matches the motor and controller to ensure efficient operation of the system. Voltage is the core parameter of an e-bike battery and measures the driving force of the current in the battery. Different voltages directly shape the performance, range, cost and compatibility of e-bikes.

First and foremost, voltage is tied to performance. Higher voltages typically result in greater power output, improving acceleration and top speed. When challenged with more complex riding scenarios, such as climbing hills, a 48V system may have an advantage over a 36V.

Second, voltage has a profound effect on range. Higher voltage lowers current and reduces resistive losses, thus improving energy efficiency. However, it should be noted that range is affected by multiple factors, including battery capacity. Correctly matching a high voltage to a battery of sufficient capacity is the key to ensuring longer range.

Voltage selection is also related to cost and compatibility. Higher voltage systems tend to be more expensive, and the associated components may be more expensive. Manufacturers need to balance voltage, performance, cost and market demand to ensure that their products are competitive in the marketplace.

There is a direct relationship between voltage and power, with power equaling voltage times current. Correct voltage selection matches the motor and controller to ensure efficient operation of the system.

36V Bike Battery Features:

Typical capacity: 10 to 20 amp hours (Ah).

Weight: 3 to 5 kilograms.

Cost: Relatively low.

Potential Benefits:

Improved efficiency: Suitable for low to medium power e-bikes for urban riding and daily commuting.

Compatible with some motors: Compatible with many DC motors, providing a smooth riding experience.

Potential Disadvantages:

Lower power: Performance may be weaker on climbs or when more power is needed versus higher voltage batteries.

Reduced range: Lower voltage may require more current for the same capacity, reducing energy efficiency.

Cost and performance trade-offs: Despite lower costs, a balance needs to be found between cost and performance.

48V Bike Battery Characteristics:

Typical capacity: Typically between 15 and 25 ampere-hours (Ah).

Weight: Typically between 4 and 6 kilograms.

Cost: Relatively high, affected by the increase in power.

Potential Benefits:

Increased power: Provides higher power output, improving hill climbing and acceleration.

Increased range: 48V batteries typically provide a longer range for the same capacity than 36V systems.

Potential Disadvantages:

Increased Cost: 48V batteries and their associated components are typically more expensive than 36V systems.

Potential compatibility issues: Some DC motors may not be suitable, and you need to ensure that the motor you choose is compatible with the 48V system.

Comparing 36V and 48V Batteries:

Voltage:

36V Batteries: Moderate power for urban commuting and general use.

48V Batteries: High power, providing more powerful performance for rides that require more power.

Capacity:

36 volt Ebike Battery: Typical capacity between 10 and 20Ah.

48v E bike Battery: Typically between 15 and 25Ah, relatively large.

Weight:

36V batteries: Typically between 3 and 5 kg.

48V Batteries: Typically between 4 and 6 kilograms.

Cost:

36v E bike Battery: relatively low.

48v E bike Battery: Relatively high, including associated components.

Performance:

36v Electric Bike Battery: For city riding with balanced performance.

48v Battery for Electric Bike: Provides higher power for high performance needs.

Range:

36V Ebike Battery: Relatively short, suitable for short distance riding.

48V Ebike Battery: Usually provides a longer range, suitable for users who need a greater range.

Trade-offs and selection factors:

Usage and needs:

36V is good for urban commuting and general use, while 48V is better suited for users seeking high performance and a wide range of riding.

Cost Considerations:

If budget is limited and performance is not required, a 36V battery may be a more economical choice.

Motor Compatibility:

You need to make sure that the motor you choose is compatible with the voltage of the battery you select.

Weight and Ease of Carrying:

36V batteries are relatively lightweight and may be more suitable for users who require ease of carrying.

Performance expectations:

Users seeking higher performance and longer range may prefer 48V batteries.

All in all, the choice of 36V or 48V batteries requires a thorough consideration of usage, cost, performance and range requirements to meet the needs of a particular e-bike user.

Conclusion:

Choosing between 36V and 48V e-bike batteries requires a thorough consideration of usage, cost, performance, and range requirements. Tailor your battery choice to ensure the best riding experience. We encourage readers to share their expert opinions on 36V vs. 48V batteries to contribute to the ongoing advancement of e-bike technology.Choosing between 36V and 48V e-bike batteries requires a thorough consideration of usage, cost, performance, and range requirements. Tailor your battery choice to ensure the best riding experience.

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