What about Batteries?
There is a confusing list of batteries used in Electric bikes. So here is our view on them and all you need to know

Lead Acid – sealed dry cell batteries (not like car ones). Good reliable technology but limited and heavy. Expect to get somewhere between 12 and 18 miles out of the average battery. Charging time is around the 6- 8 hour time with a recharge life of some 300 charges. Batteries can weigh up to 9 kgs

NiMH – Nickel Metal Hydride. These were the next version on from lead acid and really made a big leap forward. The battery was half the weight of the lead ones, had a bigger range 18 –25 miles and lasted longer with 500 charges expected. These have now almost disappeared as the cost of the raw material, nickel, has hit the roof on worldwide markets pricing them out of being feasible

Lithium – this is where we see the latest technology in action. There is Lithium Polymer and Lithium Ion out there but now days there is hardly anything between them. Very lightweight with ranges between 25 and 35 miles. The weight of these batteries has brought the weight of electric bikes down considerably. You will get up to 600 charges out of a single battery, so many years life for most people. Charging times are between 4 and 6 hours and the lithium batteries have no memory effect so can be charged at any where through their cycle. Extraordinary Long Cycle Life. Best can up to 2000 cycle life, some 8 times more than Lead Acid. New versions are on their way that will allow you to stack batteries making enormous ranges available...100 miles? 

Why Do People Choose to Ride an Electric Bike? Because they:
1. Enjoy the feeling of riding a bicycle - except for hills, starts, and headwinds.
2. Prefer their local errands to be easy, hassle free and low cost.
3. Like to save money and protect the environment.
4. Look for extra chances to exercise - even if it's just a little. In fact, riding an e-bike can increase your fitness. You can ride to work without difficulty. You still have to exercise
5. Still need convenient, point-to-point transportation using safe traffic free bike lanes we have all paid for but rarely use!
6. Want their own traffic "lane", convenient parking spots and shortcuts. No traffic congestion
7. Considered a gas-powered moped or small motorcycle, but dislike the noise, smell, safety issues, starting problems and special laws.
8. Riding an electric bike doesn't mean you're lazy. You are a smart educated consumer reducing air pollution and having fun doing it.
9. Because you can be assisted when going uphill, you do not need to spend excessive energy, you feel less tired and your body continues to operate in your optimum aerobic zone.
10. Enjoy your ride and use the assist when you feel like it. They are not motor bike they require input from rider and motor to operate effectively.
11. With a conventional bicycle, many people exceed their aerobic zone when riding uphill then feel completely drained and are unable to enjoy the ride.
12. Can ride work in a suite or work clothes.

When Should I Recharge Batteries?
We recommend you recharge battery after each usage or at least when 'battery status indicator' shows 'half flat' or less. This ensures you get the most power. Regular charging using a high quality switch mode battery charger will prolong the life of you batteries.

How Long Does It Take to Recharge the Li-ion Batteries?
Depends on state of exhaustion of battery. If battery totally flat - recharge time about 5-6 hrs. If half flat - about 2-3 hrs. Best to recharge overnight.

Range
The range of any electric bike can vary massively day today depending on some very simple factors.
• Weight. Not just the weight of the rider but also the weight of any luggage being carried or towed, effects the range you will get from your bike.
•Wind resistance. Have you ever wondered why road racers wear Lycra?  It’s not just to show off muscles!  The fact is that if you were to wear Lycra on your electric bike (I don’t suggest for a moment that you do!) your range would be much higher than if you were wearing a huge overcoat and a nice big set of panniers! 
• Tyre Pressures. Always keep your tyres pumped up to the correct pressure, if you have ever had a flat tyre you will know why.
•Air temperature. You will get about 15% more range on a warm sunny day than you would in deep winter.
•Road conditions. A smooth flat road is much more efficient than gravel or grass for long range. 
 •Hills. I realise you can come down the hill you just went up without using any power but you would have used a lot less power if you covered the same distance on the flat.
•Throttle.  If you are lucky enough to live in an area that allows throttles without pedalling, you can use masses of power getting from start to cruising speed on the throttle alone. So try always to pedal up to a comfortable speed before you transfer to throttle.
•Battery age. As batteries get older they start to lose the ability to hold a charge for as long as they did when they were new.  If you are using a 5 year old battery you will not get the same range as when the battery was charged for the first time.
There are of course other factors such as maintenance and wind speed but these are the most important points to remember.