We’ve all seen stories in the media about ebike battery fires. The causes can be myriad – damaged batteries, poor-quality replacements, even counterfeit units.
They can also be sparked by charging mistakes such as using the wrong charger or charging when it's not safe because of damp, excessively cold temperatures, or any other anomaly.
However, a new technology called BatteryIQ could make ebike battery fires a thing of the past, thanks to its smart tech with full-time monitoring.
What is BatteryIQ?
BatteryIQ is a new technology that will constantly monitor a battery's status, with the addition of a small, inexpensive chip board to a battery's control system.
BatteryIQ shows in real time how your battery is performing. Any anomalies are detected early, and alerts are sent, prompting you to get your battery checked.
This clever tech isn't expensive either. The brand's creator, Nick Bailey, told us the Battery IQ chipboard costs less than $10 to produce and fit.
Benefits for ebike owners
BatteryIQ will give you early warnings on any issues if your battery isn’t performing as you’d expect. If you need to check its safety after a crash or accidental impact (for example, if you drop it onto hard ground), BatteryIQ will issue an alert through the app on your phone.
Better stock control and safety for ebike makers
BatteryIQ is installed at the point of manufacture. This enables ebike brands to have a full trace on the life of the battery, from manufacture to storage.
It provides total transparency on the battery from the point at which it is purchased from the manufacturer.
For example, the recent recall request on Rad Power bikes by the CSPC could have been avoided if the batteries were equipped with BatteryIQ, reducing the huge costs involved in recalling and replacing a huge number of batteries.
Safer ebike storage
Storage of ebikes at workplaces or in shared apartment parking can have a major effect on insurance premiums. With a multi-device dashboard monitor in the building, the safety of the batteries on staff bikes can be monitored, greatly reducing the risk of accidental fires.
Watch our interview with BatteryIQ founder Nick Bailey
In our exclusive video, I quiz ebike system designer and BatteryIQ creator Nick Bailey on how to get the most out of your ebike battery.
We discuss best practice for getting the most from your batteries, including charging, storage and usage, to ensure your battery is long-lasting and safe.
Bailey goes on to explain how BatteryIQ’s wireless management tech works and how it's set to revolutionise battery safety for riders, retailers and manufacturers.
