An extra battery for your electric cargo bike is worth it if your daily schedule regularly exceeds what a single full battery can realistically last, and you don’t have a good opportunity to recharge along the way. Do you have a regular break near a power outlet between rides? Then smart planning is often enough. That way, you’ll save on the cost of purchasing a second battery and the extra hassle of managing it at home.
Below, you'll learn how to make that decision. First, for business owners who take multiple trips a day, then for families planning long weekend trips. Finally, you'll see what having a spare battery at home means and how to find a battery that fits your model.
When a Second Battery Is Actually Worth It
A second battery solves one problem: you need more energy than you can recharge in the time available. If that almost never happens, it’s not very useful. If it happens every week, then it becomes interesting.
Do any of these situations sound familiar to you?
- On busy days, you drive more kilometers than your battery can realistically handle, even with a full charge.
- There's no break between your trips at a power outlet—for example, because you're on the road all day.
- Standing still costs you money or customers, so waiting for the charger isn't an option.
- You regularly take day trips where you can't charge your vehicle along the way.
- Several people use the same bike one after another, without time to charge it in between.
Does none of this sound familiar? In that case, a second battery is mainly for peace of mind. That’s fine, but keep in mind that it’s a matter of convenience, not necessity.
Business use: multiple trips per day
For business owners, the first consideration is the range of a single battery. STOER states that the CargoX has a range of up to 80 km and notes that this allows you to make multiple trips per day without needing to recharge in between. Please note: ’up to’ is an upper limit. The conditions under which that 80 km was measured are unknown.
In practice, your range depends on your load, wind, temperature, tire pressure, and the assistance level you choose. To learn how to estimate this for your specific situation, read Calculating and Realistically Estimating an E-Bike's Range.
Calculate your busiest day
Don't look at your average day—look at your busiest one. That's where the decision will be made.
- Add up the kilometers from your busiest workday, including detours and the trip back to the office.
- Estimate how much range your battery will realistically provide with the charge you'll be bringing along.
- Leave yourself some leeway so you don't arrive at your last customer's place with a dead battery.
- See when you'll have a break near a power outlet during your day and how much you can recharge during that time.
- Is the battery still running low after that break? If so, getting a second battery is a logical next step.
A familiar hypothetical example: An installer drives 30 km in the morning and 35 km in the afternoon, with tools in the truck bed. If his battery can’t make it 65 km plus a margin with that load, and he can’t charge it at the workshop during lunch, a charged spare battery prevents him from having to shorten his afternoon route. If he does have a lunch break near an outlet, he can first test whether recharging will cover the shortfall.
When switching is faster than waiting
When making deliveries or working back-to-back shifts, the time the bike spends idle is what matters most. Swapping out a fully charged battery can then replace a charging break. To find out what capacity you need for intensive use, read What battery capacity do you need for intensive business use?.
Is smart planning of charging times often enough?
That depends on your breaks. If your day includes natural breaks in a place with power, one battery will often last a long time. Here are a few ways to make the most of that:
- Recharge during lunch or between jobs in the workshop or warehouse.
- Set up a dedicated charging spot at work. You can find tips in e-bike battery charging at work.
- Plan your longest trip right after charging, rather than at the end of the day.
- Spread out heavy trips with large loads throughout the day.
Does your cargo bike serve as a substitute for a delivery van? If so, it helps to plan your routes and loading times together. You can read about how that works in Replacing a delivery van with a cargo bike: planning your loading times smartly.
Try it out for two weeks first
Not sure? Then keep track for a few weeks of the days when your battery ran out too soon, how many kilometers you drove, and what you were carrying. That way, you can see if the issue is a recurring one or only occurs on rare occasions.
Please note: Just because a battery drains faster than it used to doesn't necessarily mean you need a second battery. It could also be due to your assistance level, tire pressure, cold weather, or an aging battery. A spare battery will only mask the real problem. Read this first how long the battery of an electric fatbike lasts and When to Replace Your E-Bike Battery.
Weekend trips and long drives with the family
For families, a second battery is especially useful on day trips. Are you planning a long drive with children and luggage, without any charging stations along the way? If so, a spare battery can save you the worry about the return trip.
Do you only take trips like this a few times a year? If so, there are alternatives. Choose a route that includes a stop at a place where you can charge your bike—for example, a patio where you ask in advance. Or shorten the route slightly and ride at a lower assistance level.
When looking for a replacement battery, be sure to check the capacity as well. For example, in its SHIMANO E-BIKE SYSTEMS product line, Shimano introduced an integrated 630Wh battery as its largest integrated battery for longer rides, alongside an integrated 504Wh version with the same dimensions. That refers to that Shimano product line and says nothing about STOER or compatibility with your bike. So when buying a second battery, be sure to check for yourself what capacity you're buying and whether it fits your bike.
What an extra battery means for home storage
A second battery is an extra battery you keep at home. It has to be stored somewhere, charged, and kept in good condition. Don't underestimate that.
According to a study by VeiligheidNL, many consumers are not well informed about the safe use of bicycle batteries. Batteries are often charged in the shed, the garage, or even the bedroom. According to VeiligheidNL, a lack of knowledge about safe charging, storage, and maintenance increases the risk of fire and injury.
Check the manual for your bike and battery beforehand to see what the manufacturer recommends. These recommendations may vary depending on the battery and manufacturer. These questions will help you with that:
- Where can you charge and store a spare battery according to the manual?
- Which charger can you use to charge this battery?
- What does the manufacturer recommend if you don't use a battery for an extended period of time?
- What should you do if a battery has fallen or appears to be damaged? If you're unsure, check with your dealer.
- What should you keep in mind when storing food during the cold months? You can read more about this in Storing an e-bike battery in the winter.
Be sure to check your insurance policy as well. Is a spare battery covered in the event of theft or damage, even if it’s not attached to the bike? To find out, read the terms and conditions of your policy or check the STOER bicycle insurance. You can find more information on this topic in Are accessories covered under the policy?
Decision Guide: Get a Second Battery or Plan Wisely?
| Your situation | Advice |
|---|---|
| The busiest day falls well within the realistic range | No need for a second battery |
| You're running low on power, but you can take a break near an outlet | First, test it by recharging during that break |
| You consistently run low on power and can't charge while on the go | Consider getting a second battery |
| Standing still costs you revenue or customers | Consider getting a second battery |
| A few long trips each year | Plan your route to include a charging stop, or borrow or rent a battery if possible |
| The range is clearly less than it used to be | First, have the condition of your current battery checked |
Where can you find a battery that's compatible with your model?
In the STOER's Accessories Shop You'll find batteries, among other things. Be sure to choose only a battery that is confirmed to be compatible with your model and year of manufacture. The connection, mounting, and system must all be correct.
Not sure? Check with a dealer. Ask these questions:
- Will this battery fit my model and year?
- Does it have the same capacity as my current battery, or is it different?
- What's the best way to store a spare battery if I won't be using it for a while?
- What warranty terms apply to a battery purchased separately?
You can find a dealer near you through the dealer page. Do you have a business-related question, such as about purchasing multiple bicycles at once? Please contact us.
The smartest first step: compare your busiest workday or longest trip with your battery’s realistic range. Does it not match up, even with a charging stop in between? Then an extra battery for your electric cargo bike is probably a logical choice for your trips.
