Our Batteries

Panasonic NCR lithium ion chemistry

Our e-bikes use lithium-ion batteries. However, there are many available types of lithium-ion battery. Performance, cost, and safety characteristics differ depending on lithium-ion type. When evaluating new chemistries we find there is a lot of battery hype, so we rely heavily on in-house resistance-load and dynamometer tests to evaluate & compare candidates under the particular conditions of service they face in our e-bikes. This is a time consuming (and costly!) process, but it has also been very rewarding, as verified by the performance of our bikes.

The battery we now use exclusively (since 2013), which Panasonic calls type NCR (lithium nickel cobalt aluminum), has what we consider to be the best blend of high energy density, inherent stability and high amperage output. Prior to 2013 we offered two types of lithium ion battery, NMC (nickel-manganese-cobalt), and LFP (lithium iron phosphate). In 2013, after half a year of evaluative testing we were so impressed with the performance of the new NCR chemistry that we switched completely to these Panasonic cells for all our bikes…about the same time Tesla, a leading developer of electric cars, also chose these cells for their high performance roadster!

Note: The type of lithium ion battery that a few years ago resulted in considerable negative media reports (laptops, Dreamliner aircraft) is lithium cobalt oxide (LCO). This chemistry has high energy density, but has had safety issues. Our batteries are not of this type.