As a revolutionary innovation in the e-bike industry, a cutting-edge type of electrical bicycle battery is swiftly gaining momentum, poised to transform the riding experience with unprecedented levels of security and safety for cyclists. As we rapidly approach the era of potted e-bike batteries,
There’s no doubt that fireside security is a vital concern when discussing e-bike batteries. Despite the minuscule likelihood of battery fires compared to the vast number of e-bikes on roads worldwide, the devastating consequences of even a solitary blaze underscore the gravity of this issue.
A novel production method is gaining traction, touting substantial enhancements to e-bike battery safety by minimizing the risk of fires, including instances where batteries are mistreated or damaged.
By utilising a hardening resin, which is poured between cells to separate them from each other and their environment, potting can effectively address the two primary factors contributing to fires: corrosion and physical harm.
As Luke Workman, a battery expert, revealed on the Wheel-E Podcast, exposure to saltwater spray and vapor seeping through seals in an e-bike battery casing can cause slow corrosion of individual battery cells, ultimately leading to a temporary circuit failure. Bodily damage to a battery, even when properly sealed, can still occur following a severe impact or collision, potentially causing cell ruptures or rapid electrical shorts that, although rare, could escalate into uncontrolled fires.
Recently, we learned from Pedego, a prominent national e-bike brand, that they are transitioning to innovative potted e-bike batteries featuring a heat-absorbing resin interlayer between individual cells. By potting the batteries and encasing the cells in thermally conductive materials, Pedego effectively defends against external influences and puncture injuries, while also enhancing heat dissipation for improved performance.
The proper management of heat is crucial, as excessive temperatures can trigger thermal runaway – a vicious cycle where rising temperatures cause further heat release, escalating into potentially perilous situations that require immediate attention to prevent devastating consequences.
Potted batteries offer an additional advantage, as they significantly extend the lifespan of e-bike batteries by mitigating the adverse effects of vibration and repeated stress, common issues that arise from using bicycles on diverse terrain types. Loose vibrations from parts akin to electrical connectors or nickel conductor strips within e-bike batteries often necessitate internal access for diagnosis and repair, making it a complex process.
The solidified potting material effectively stabilizes battery cells, reduces internal motion within the casing, and serves as a cushion against routine shocks and impacts? This stabilisation feature crucially safeguards the battery’s integrity while concurrently ensuring consistent performance and reliability – vital considerations for individuals relying on e-bikes as a primary means of transportation or leisure activity.
Following hot on the heels of Rad Energy Bikes’ revelation about its innovative potted battery concept, Pedego has now unveiled its own take on this trend by adopting a similar potted e-bike battery solution. While neither of these companies is at the forefront in this regard, firms such as Luna Cycle and Grin Technologies have actually outpaced them by several years.
While the primary distinction this time lies in the fact that all companies with existing bulletins are major national manufacturers, rather than smaller e-bike firms with significantly lesser business impact.
While pioneers in their respective fields are often credited with innovation, it is actually the early adopters who frequently drive the most significant changes.
With the introduction of these novel potted batteries, the stark reality is that their superior performance is no fluke, but rather a harbinger of what’s to come.
As major domestic producers harness the security benefits of encapsulated batteries, it’s unlikely to surprise anyone if other companies follow suit?
