Pros and Cons of removable and integrated batteries for e-bikes

There are a number of factors you need to take into account before you consider buying an electric bike. Amongst the many factors, the battery of your e-bike is a very important component as it usually determines the performance level of your e-bike. However, batteries come in different types and sizes and most of them were removable as part of the e-bike in the very early days, but with the growing acceptance of e-bikes by the public and the desire to look good, most e-bike batteries are now integrated into the e-bike frame.
Of course both forms of battery have their own advantages and disadvantages, and while many people think that the biggest difference between them is in their appearance, they actually have more features, and in this article we'll help you make your choice based on those features.

1. The meaning of removable and integrated batteries for e-bikes

What is a removable battery?
When e-bikes first became popular, the most common type of battery that appeared on the market was the removable battery. Removable batteries can be removable front frame and removable rear frame batteries, the two are mainly placed in different locations. As the name suggests, the former is placed on the front frame and the latter is placed in the frame area. In the GreenPedel the GP-C1 is the obvious removable battery, with the battery stored in the e-bike frame.
What is an integrated battery?
The integrated battery is a battery that is fixed to the frame of the e-bike due to the increased acceptance of e-bikes and the more stringent requirements for appearance in recent years. Another name for an integrated battery is a hidden battery. The main advantage of the integrated battery is enhanced durability, as it is mounted inside the e-bike frame it is not exposed to the air, it is less susceptible to harsh weather conditions and the battery being hidden is less susceptible to moisture, which can also lead to corrosion of the battery.

2. Pros and Cons of removable batteries

Pros of removable batteries
Removable batteries are very common in the market today and are widely accepted because of their many advantages. Due to the time constraints of people's daily activities, more people want to be able to move their e-bikes quickly. We will further highlight the other benefits of removable batteries below.
- Easy to recharge
It goes without saying that one of the advantages of a removable battery is that it is easy to recharge, as the rider can choose to recharge the battery on the e-bike or remove it and take it elsewhere to recharge. This removable battery e-bike is the perfect choice for more users who like to camp, holiday or travel.
You can easily take the battery to a charging centre without the additional burden of having to move the e-bike around. It can also be detached and taken to your work environment to recharge when your commute to work runs out of battery, but of course this can only be done with your company's permission.
- Easy to replace
Unlike the integrated battery, you can easily replace the removable battery. You don't need any technical knowledge before replacing the battery. For the GP-C1 bike, we have a dual battery setup for our customers, which means that if you want to ride further afield, you can carry an extra battery to increase your range. However, it is worth stating that there are certain safety precautions you have to go through when removing the e-bike battery.
For example:
* Insert the key gently into the battery lock
* Use your other hand to support the battery and prevent it from hitting the ground
* Remove the battery and pull out the key to charge the battery.
Cons of removable batteries
Even though the removable battery is widely accepted and preferred, it inevitably has some disadvantages that are criticised. We'll list some of them next.
- Removable batteries are more vulnerable to theft than integrated batteries
Removable batteries were obviously bulkier in the past, however, as the e-bike industry innovates, more and more lightweight removable batteries are appearing, which means that your removable battery can easily be stolen if you don't have good theft prevention measures in place.
- Not smart enough
Removable batteries are usually found on e-bike frames and e-bike rear tail racks. However, innovations in e-bikes have resulted in smaller batteries or smarter setups, so bulky removable batteries can easily add weight to an e-bike and be more cumbersome.

3. Pros and Cons of integrated batteries

Pros of integrated batteries
Although removable batteries are popular and are being used to a greater extent, integrated batteries have become more popular in recent years and have their advantages.
- Most integrated batteries are light
E-bikes with integrated batteries are designed with a streamlined look and are generally more aesthetically pleasing and smooth. This is not a disadvantage of the removable battery, however, as manufacturers are gradually upgrading and replacing e-bikes that were previously available on the market.
- Less vulnerable to theft
The risk of theft of an integrated battery is greatly reduced because it is not easily removable and is integrated into the frame of the e-bike. The integrated e-bike is the best choice for garage storage as its charge point requires you to connect directly to the charger indoors, the advantage of this is that your battery is stored indoors in a warm room, not too cold and not too hot, resulting in less battery wear.
- Less prone to damage
Because the integrated batteries are stored in the e-bike frame, they are not exposed to dirt and dust. They are also somewhat more resistant to damage as they are not directly exposed to the harsh environment.
Cons of integrated batteries
Integrated batteries are becoming increasingly popular in the market, but inevitably there are some disadvantages.
- Not easy to move
As the integrated battery is integrated into the frame of the e-bike, it is limited when it comes to charging and it requires you to push the bike to find an e-bike charging post for charging.
- More expensive
Because it's integrated into the frame, if your battery fails, you can't just buy a spare battery and replace it like a removable battery, but you may need to go to a specialist repair shop and it will be more expensive to repair.
- You can't increase your mileage with a spare battery
If you don't have enough integrated batteries to last you for a long ride, you may need to keep an eye out for a charging station along the way as it won't support you to carry a spare battery to replace it.
As you can see, both removable batteries and integrated batteries have their own advantages and disadvantages, and there is no absolute good or bad, so the choice is based on your actual needs.

4. What you need to consider when buying an e-bike battery

The pros and cons between removable and integrated batteries are something consumers need to weigh up, but beyond that, there are other features you need to consider when you're shopping for an e-bike battery.
Battery size
Each removable battery is a different size, so if you're replacing a removable battery on your e-bike then you'll want to find out what size battery you have. As well as fitting your e-bike, you also need to consider the extra weight you can carry when shopping or riding off-road, and there are different considerations for different rider sizes.
Battery power
When choosing the best battery power, range is also crucial. For example, 300Wh means that the battery will run out of power after an hour, so you need to check that your battery can survive your daily riding range.
Battery lock
You need to make sure your e-bike has a battery lock to minimise the risk of theft. This will help riders to park their e-bikes with confidence without having to worry about them being stolen.
Based on the above considerations combined with the advantages and disadvantages we have listed for you, you should have a good idea of what kind of e-bike battery you should choose.

5. How to maintain the battery of an electric bicycle

The durability of e-bike batteries varies depending on the quality and type of brand. However, the level of maintenance by the rider also determines the length of battery life. If you want to keep your battery in good condition for a long time, then you need to go for regular maintenance.
Firstly, you need to avoid charging your battery just before it runs out of juice. This is because when a battery keeps running out of charge, its ability to recharge becomes weaker and weaker over time.
Secondly, avoid overcharging the battery, even if you are riding a long distance, but you don't need to overcharge your e-bike. You should know exactly how many hours you need to fully charge your own e-bike and unplug your charger within the specified time.
Finally, don't use your battery when it is overheated. If you find that your battery is hot, then let it cool down before you use it. Storing your battery in extremely hot or cold temperatures will reduce its lifespan and it should certainly not be exposed to extremely harsh weather conditions. The manufacturer's manual guide will usually state the appropriate storage conditions for each battery.

6. Conclusion

Many people may be able to easily identify whether an e-bike has a removable or integrated battery, but they may not necessarily have a deeper understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of both.

Both are widely available on the market today and you may be faced with a difficult choice, so we hope this article has inspired you to help you choose the best battery for your e-bike.