Can you use an electric bike in the winter? Of course! But follow these tips
Have you been riding an e-bike all year and now are wondering if you can keep it up even into the cold and dark months? Don’t worry, it’s certainly possible to ride an e-bike all year round. But since the winter months throw extra challenges our way, you’ll want to take a few extra steps to be prepared. We checked in with several leading electric bicycle manufacturers to get the best tips for riding e-bikes in the winter.
Winter e-bike tips
The most important component on your e-bike is the battery. It’s also the most expensive and the part the requires the most care. That care is especially critical in cold temperatures.
The most important thing to remember is to not leave your battery outside in the cold for lengthy periods of time. One night sitting outside won’t kill your battery, so don’t freak out if you forget it. But it’s not good for its long-term life cycle to make a habit out of letting it sit in cold, wet environments.
It’s also critical to note that you should never charge the battery when its temperature is below freezing (32ºF or 0ºC).
Electric bike company VanMoof explained that a “battery can’t charge below 32ºF or 0ºC. That’s why it’s even better to store your bike inside at room temperature when temperatures outside hit an extreme low — it’ll charge better and take you farther on those winter rides.”
Of course if your e-bike has a removable battery, you can just bring the battery inside. If there’s space though, your entire e-bike will appreciate coming in from the cold, harsh winter weather. If you’ve got an e-bike with a built-in battery that isn’t quickly removable, it’s extra important that you bring the entire bike inside.
If you’re one of those people that end up riding less in winter (or not at all), you’ll definitely want to store your battery inside during those long winter months. You should avoid storing it with a full charge though, as it’s not as healthy for the battery.
Experts still debate the optimal storage voltage for batteries (usually claiming something in the 40-80% state-of-charge range), but it is generally accepted that a half charge is a good storage level. That’s exactly what e-bike manufacturer Juiced Bikes recommends.
As the company explained:
Ideally, you want to keep your charge at about 50% capacity when storing. Now, the battery will self-discharge over time – so if you’re not riding for two months or more, be sure to check the charge every so often and charge back up to 50% when needed.
VanMoof also says that it’s important to wipe down your e-bike after riding to remove salty mud or snow. Most e-bikes use rust-resistant components, but there are still many areas that can corrode if left with a salty glaze.
Again, you don’t have to go crazy with your routine. But occasionally adding some soap into the mix can help better remove the nasty things that winter likes to stick to your bike. As VanMoof explained, “If you ride every day, give your bike a weekly wipe-down with some water and soap.”
I’ve been testing out the Muc-Off “Clean – Protect – Lube” kit for e-bikes, and it’s got a nice set of cleaning and lubrication products to keep your bike looking good and lasting through those rough winter months. I even included it in my e-bike lover’s stocking stuffer gift guide yesterday.
Juiced Bikes also recommends starting slow with rides, especially if this is your first winter on an e-bike.
As the company continued:
Riding in the winter is NOT like riding during other seasons. When you go out on your first winter ride, it’s essential to start off slow and acknowledge your experience level. Newbies should take a test ride without the motor on at first, just to get a feel for the terrain. No matter what, drive more slowly than you would in the summer and always give yourself more time for braking. You never know when you may hit a patch of black ice!
Ice can be a serious issue for e-bikes. While cars simply spin, e-bikes don’t have the advantage of four-wheel stability. Losing traction on ice usually means going down hard.
To avoid that, Juiced Bikes recommends choosing winter tires based on the type of riding you do:
Change your tires to studded models for hard-packed snow and ice or fat knobby tires for softer snow. You may even want to heat-shrink your cable connections and LCD screen for extra protection from rain and snow.
Canadian-based electric bicycle company Biktrix’s founder Roshan Thomas described to Electrek how fat tires are probably your best option when riding in loose snow.
The increased air volume allows riders to run lower tire pressure, which work better for loose terrain like snow, sand, and loose dirt.
As he explained:
A common 26″x4″, or 26″x4.8″, or 27.5″x4″ fat tire works amazing in the snow because you can run these at very low pressures. I find that 5-20 PSI makes the rubber just float on the snow. For riding conditions where there is underlying ice, it’s best to get these tires studded.
Rad Power Bikes described how the short days and limited visibility in winter can mean that bike lighting is more important than ever.
As the company explained:
In high traffic areas or roadways that require boosted lighting – such as trails absent of lampposts – additional brightness may help you navigate the winter months.
Most e-bikes come with LED lighting that runs off the main battery, but adding stronger lights can be a good idea.
Rad offers more powerful e-bike lights with twice the lumens that can be swapped out for the basic lights that come with each bike.
Other companies also offer higher-power light upgrades, so it’s worth checking if your e-bike has that option. If not, some powerful mountain bike lights are a good idea. I’ve also tested the RedShift Arclight pedals as well and those are amazing for good lighting at night, winter or summer. They’re pricer at $140 but 100% worth it.
Rad Power Bikes also points out how important it is to dress for the weather:
Ever biked in cold temperatures without gloves? Pro tip: don’t. Frostbite is a real condition that can happily be avoided with water-resistant gloves, apparel, and shoes.
Your hands are exposed to the air rushing around the handlebars, quickly chilling fingers to the bone. Even good gloves can get chilly after a while. When I ride a bike with a thumb throttle in the winter, my thumb often starts to freeze since it is held down below the bars and away from my fist. Even with the warmest options for gloves, you have to pay the price of big and bulky hands that can make it hard to operate the brakes and shifters.
Bar mitts are a great alternative option. They mount on the handlebars and protect your hands from the rushing cold air. That means you can get away with wearing normal, lighter gloves like you’d use on a normal day when not riding. Rad offers their own version that has extra-wide hand holes to better accommodate the sleeves of your coat.
Don’t forget to protect your neck too! An old-fashioned scarf works well, but a tube scarf/neck gaiter or even a balaclava are better options.
Both can protect the lower half of your face better than a typical scarf, and the balaclava can pretty much cover everything. Or you could go full bank robber with a ski mask.
Stay safe while winter e-biking!
If you want to keep riding your e-bike throughout the winter, then go for it! It’s definitely possible, but you’ll want to make sure you consider these important tips to take care of your e-bike and yourself.
Stay safe out there this winter and happy trails!
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Believe it or not, you can lease an EV for under $200 a month. New deals on models like the 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 and Kia EV6 are hard to pass up this month.
Electric vehicles have been all over the news lately, with the Trump administration threatening to end federal incentives and introducing new tariffs that are expected to lead to higher prices.
On the positive side, new EV models are arriving, giving buyers more options and driving prices down. Many automakers reported record US electric car sales in the first three months of 2024.
GM remained the number two seller of EVs behind Tesla after sales doubled in Q1 2025. With the new Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs rolling out, Chevy is now the fastest-growing EV brand in the US. Ford’s Mustang Mach-E is off to its best sales start since launching, with over 11,600 models sold in the first quarter.
With the 2025 models rolling out and about 15 new EVs arriving this year, many automakers are introducing steep discounts to move vehicles off the lot.
EVs for lease for under $200 a month in April
Although the decade-old Nissan LEAF remains one of the most affordable this April at just $149 per month, there are a few EVs under $200 right now that are worth taking a look at.
The new 2025 Hyundai IONIQ might be the best EV deal this month, with leases as low as $199. Hyundai is currently promoting a 24-month lease deal with $3,999 due at signing.
Hyundai upgraded the electric SUV with a bigger battery for more range (now up to 318 miles), a sleek new look inside and out, and it now comes with an NACS port so you can charge it at Tesla Superchargers.
The offer is for the IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range, which has a driving range of up to 245 miles. For just $229 a month, you can snag the SE RWD model, which has a range of up to 318 miles and a more powerful (225 horsepower) electric motor. It’s also a 24-month lease with $3,999 due at signing.
To sweeten the deal, Hyundai is offering a free ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 EV charger with the purchase or lease of any 2024 or 2025 IONIQ 5. If you already have one, you can opt for a $400 public charging credit.
After slashing lease prices this month, the 2025 Nissan Ariya is actually cheaper than the LEAF in some regions. In Southern California, the 2025 Nissan Ariya Evolve AWD is listed at just $129 per month. The AWD model has a range of up to 272 miles.
The deal is for 36 months, with $4,409 due at signing. In April, Nissan cut Ariya lease prices to around $239 in most other parts of the country.
Kia has a few EVs available to lease for under $200 a month in April. The 2025 Kia Niro EV Wind is listed at just $129 for 24 months, with $3,999 due at signing. Kia’s crossover SUV has EPA-estimated range of 253 miles.
The 2024 EV6 may be worth considering at just $179 for 24 months ($3,999 due at signing). In California, the EV6 Light Long Range RWD is only slightly more than the Niro Wind.
In most other parts of the country, you can still find the EV6 for under $200 a month. The Light Long Range RWD trim offers up to 310 miles of EPA-estimated range.
| Lease Price | Term (months) |
Amount Due at Signing | Driving Range | |
| 2025 Hyundai IONIQ 5 SE RWD Standard Range | $199 | 24 | $3,999 | 245 miles |
| 2024 Kia EV6 Light Long Rang RWD | $179 | 24 | $3,999 | 310 miles |
| 2024 Kia Niro EV Wind | $129 | 24 | $3,999 | 253 miles |
| 2025 Nissan Ariya Evolve AWD | $129 | 36 | $4,409 | 272 miles |
| 2025 Nissan LEAF S FWD | $149 | 36 | $2,629 | 149 miles |
| 2024 Fiat 500 INSPI(RED) | $199 | 24 | $2,999 | 149 miles |
And don’t forget the 2024 Fiat 500e, which is now listed at just $199 for 24 months with $2,999 due at signing. The electric hatchback offers a range of up to 149 miles.
If you are looking to spend a little more, check out our list of EVs you can lease for under $300 a month.
Ready to snag the savings while they are still here? At under $200 a month, some of these EV lease deals are hard to pass up right now. Check out our links below to find deals in your area.
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![The US’s first solar panels over canals pilot is now online [video]](https://i0.wp.com/electrek.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/04/Project-Nexus-solar-canal.jpg?resize=1200,628&quality=82&strip=all&ssl=1)
Project Nexus, the first solar panel canopies over irrigation canals in the US, is now online in California, and there are plans to expand the project to other areas.
Project Nexus is a $20 million pilot in central California’s Turlock Irrigation District launched in October 2022. The project team is exploring solar over canal design, deployment, and co-benefits using canal infrastructure and the electrical grid.
India already has solar panels over canals, but Project Nexus is the first of its kind in the US.
The Turlock Irrigation District was the first irrigation district formed in California in 1887. It provides irrigation water to 4,700 growers who farm around 150,000 acres in the San Joaquin Valley.
Project Nexus will explore whether the solar panels reduce water evaporation as a result of midday shade and wind mitigation, create improvements to water quality through reduced vegetative growth, reduce canal maintenance as a result of reduced vegetative growth, and, of course, generate renewable electricity.
The California Department of Water Resources, utility company Turlock Irrigation District, Marin County, California-based water and energy project developer Solar AquaGrid, and The University of California, Merced, are partnering on the pilot. Project Nexus originated from a 2021 research project led by UC Merced alumna and project scientist Brandi McKuin.
Solar panels were installed at two sites over both wide- and narrow-span sections of Turlock Irrigation District canals in Stanislaus County, in various orientations. The sections range from 20 feet wide to 100 feet wide. University of California, Merced has positioned research equipment at both sites to collect baseline data so the researchers can decide where solar will work and where it won’t.
In February 2023, Project Nexus announced it would also deploy long-term iron flow battery storage in the form of two ESS 75kW turnkey “Energy Warehouse” batteries.
You can learn more about Project Nexus here:
Read more: In a US first, California will pilot solar-panel canopies over canals
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