It’s Kuhl To Recycle: Lovin’ The E-Bike

Rebuild Those Worn Out Batteries

By Mark Kuhl

For the GPHN

Did you recently buy an electric bicycle to help reduce your carbon footprint, or just for fun? The most expensive part of the e-bike, the battery, will typically fail within three to five years depending on the brand, type, and how you care for it.

Fortunately, many e-bike batteries can be repaired and rebuilt to their original level of function by a qualified technician. This involves replacing battery cells and repairing damaged or worn-out components, such as the electronic battery management system. Some repairers will turn down batteries with advanced intelligent lithium battery management systems for instance. Ask the bike shop where you purchased your e-bike whether they repair/refurbish batteries or who they would recommend.

On another note, have you heard that Tesla plans to launch an innovative new e-bike like no other, called Model B? Stay tuned.

Mark Kuhl is an environmental advocate who lives in Park Hill with his family. His handy tips and news about recycling household items appear every month in these pages. A directory of his past columns for recycling everything from paint to Styrofoam to shoes is at greaterparkhill.org/sustainability/recycling-directory/.