Kristopher LamApr 4, 2025
Not Just Bikes 🇳🇱

I've been saying this for years: ebikes should have USB-C PD ports for charging!

Finally a manufacturer has actually done it. In this case using 140W power delivery, which is way higher power than any ebike charger I've ever used. And USB-C PD now supports up to 240W, which is more than enough for ebikes.

I hope this becomes the norm:

https://www.theverge.com/news/639681/usb-c-charging-e-bike-ampler-nova-specs-price

Finally, an e-bike that charges off USB-C

The Ampler Nova e-bikes can be charged in three hours using a standard 140W USB-C PD 3.1 laptop charger.

The Verge
Apr 3, 2025 at 11:12amWeb
Show threadJason CartyApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes About time. I like my six year old Ampler and now I would like a new one!
Show threadmayor of tr*nny townApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes I wonder if down the line we'll get adapters for Bosch e-systems. Would be nice to at least get a trickle charge in an emergency. I don't like carrying my charger if I don't need to.
Show threadLauraApr 3, 2025

@notjustbikes Now i hope one of those wacky inventor Youtubers makes an Adapter to charge an electric car with like 10-15 240W USB-C PD ports.

[No idea how feasible and how car charging actually works, i don't have a license, i just divided 230V×16A by 240W :D since i think they can charge on normal sockets?]

Show threadLauraApr 3, 2025

@notjustbikes Thanks to a mansplainer in my comments who wrongly told me it's impossible to convert DC power to AC i was forced to now read more into the feasibility of such a silly idea.

To anyone reading this, who mistakenly believes i am asking an explanation of basic electronics, please do not engage. Why is social media like this?

[But if anyone with some more in-depth knowledge does the numbers and tells me what it would take and how far off my guesstimate was, i'd be curious to hear it]

Show threadTroubleApr 3, 2025
@codingcatgirl @notjustbikes 1- watts is a unit of power. It can be mechanical (motor), or electrical (DC or ac), or something else. It's just a lossy conversion between them. 2- you can buy DC to AC inverters. (I.e. not an answer, but the keyword to point you in the right direction.) Holler if you want any explanations.
Show threadLauraApr 3, 2025

@trouble @notjustbikes Okay, you really just read the word "mansplainer" and thought "hey, i can do that too!", right?

I literally said: "To anyone reading this, who mistakenly believes i am asking an explanation of basic electronics, please DO NOT ENGAGE"

Show threadTroubleApr 3, 2025
@codingcatgirl @notjustbikes it sounded to me like you wanted to find the answer on your own. I just wanted to point in the right direction, let you do the research on your own.
Show threadLauraApr 3, 2025
@trouble I was asking very explicitely to not engage. Please take a deep look inside yourself and ask yourself why you felt like felt like i needed an explainer about units of power under a post of me specifically being annoyed about people thinking they need to explain basic electronics to me.
Show threadLauraApr 3, 2025
@trouble Like, come on. Is this a trolling attempt or genuine obliviousness or lack of reading comprehension?
Show threadTroubleApr 3, 2025
@codingcatgirl did you want an answer for the part in square brackets or not? I could provide one, but based on the first half of sounded like you wanted to learn. So... Why was that part in square brackets present?
Show threadLauraApr 3, 2025
@trouble you didn't provide any in-depth knowledge or numbers but a basic hint of surface level information
Show threadroastvegApr 3, 2025
@codingcatgirl @notjustbikes If you wanted to deliver DC power to an EV in North America or Europe, you'd need to convert from the USBC PD protocol to one of DIN-70121 or ISO 15118 inside the adapter, which is unfortunately non-trivial. You'd also need a power line connector chip (Qualcomm QCA or similar) and a 12V circuit.
Show threadLauraApr 3, 2025

@roastveg @notjustbikes Thanks, captain obvious mansplainer, for explaining to me that it would have to be converted, under a post of me complaining about mansplaining. Really? Wouldn't have guessed.

I literally said: "To anyone reading this, who mistakenly believes i am asking an explanation of basic electronics, please DO NOT ENGAGE"

Show threadroastvegApr 3, 2025
@codingcatgirl @notjustbikes just thought I was answering the question with some specifics, no offence meant...
Show threadLauraApr 3, 2025
@roastveg You gave me information that was just one google search away.
Show threadroastvegApr 3, 2025
@codingcatgirl duly noted, sorry!
Show threadPursuitOfElysiaApr 16, 2025
@codingcatgirl @notjustbikes I charge my car off a standard electrical outlet every day. Limited to around 800 watts. Overnight, that's still enough for a decent commute and skipping charges every couple days.
I'd rather not have to drive at all, but for working out in a rural area it's not too bad.
Show threadJ—dVApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes Nice! But I still don't love the ebikes with built in batteries. Batteries don't last forever and replacing those—if it's even possible, and if the parts are available n years from now—seems like a pain. I worry we are losing the repairability advantage of bicycles.
Show threadX-tofApr 3, 2025
@redjives @notjustbikes from 2027 on, all batteries build in devices sold in the EU, have to be replaceable.
#righttorepair
Show threadJ—dVApr 3, 2025
@x_tof @notjustbikes that's wonderful to hear!
Show threadmayor of tr*nny townApr 3, 2025
@redjives @notjustbikes there's a charging port on my bike that I've used exactly once just to say I did. It's far more convenient to take the battery off and charge it inside. Most of the places I store my bike would be a pain to route a charging cable to.
Show threadMarielle QuintonApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes I'm actually surprised it isn't an EU law 🤔
Show threadj4n3zApr 3, 2025
@mariellequinton It didn't make sense until PD 3.1. And still it doesn't for every electric micromobility device. PD 3.0 gives you just up to 21V, PD 3.1 gives up to 48V and it still is not enough for high power systems with 48V nominal and up (48V on full charge has 54V). Yes, technically you can use step-up DC-DC converter, but you just waste ~20% of energy just for step up conversion.
We can only hope that with cca PD 5.0 we get up to 90V to satisfy this trend fully 😕
@notjustbikes
Show threadQuadApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes the only problem i have with this is the port itself and its placement, based on the pictures. those rubber flaps will fall off way too quick. and while this often isn't a huge problem for larger DC connectors with big + and - pins, a USB-C connector is filled with many small pins and is far more sensitive to any grime getting into the port.

hopefully future bikes with USB-C can do a better job. the USB-C port really should face downwards and have a cover that's a bit beefier. not to mention the rubber covers are often hard to replace when they do break (it's not uncommon that you have to swap the entire port assembly rather than just the rubber flap, because the rubber flap is mounted by being stuck through a slit in the assembly.)

at least the port is decently recessed, so it's not the worst thing i could imagine.
Show threadMarweApr 3, 2025
@quad @notjustbikes
Yep, you should have a proper/big connector at least additionally.
Or an adapter like thing that you can easily exchange if water destroyed it.
So why not have an adapter to USB-C for the proper/large contact connectors?
You can keep it safe in your pocket until you really need this Indoor-Tech USB-C ;)
Show threaddraeathApr 3, 2025
@Marwe @quad @notjustbikes or just a more robust cover, that's probably the simpler way.
Show threadGabriel NApr 3, 2025

@draeath @Marwe @quad @notjustbikes they can also find a place to put it that water does not reach easily, like the top of the seat post.

The part has to be easily replaceable and sturdy, easy to operate with gloved hands.

Show threadQuadApr 3, 2025
@wtrmt @draeath @Marwe @notjustbikes electric kickscooters with USB ports often place them on the underside of the handlebar, so the port is high up (therefore far away from any splashes and sprays due to riding), while also pointing downwards so rain doesn't get in.

granted, these ports are typically for power output, not for input. not sure how well this design would work for charging, electrically speaking. you'd probably want the charge port closer to the battery if possible.
Show threadFellwing🇪🇺Apr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes It has been at the back of my mind for a long time, it is just one of those "Why not?" cases and it would be great to have
Show threadtichoApr 3, 2025

@Lingondraken @notjustbikes My parents have KTM e-bikes which do have detachable batteries. They always carry them up to their flat and charge them overnight, neatly tucked away in a corner.

I actually thought this was normal.

Show threadFellwing🇪🇺Apr 3, 2025
@ticho @notjustbikes I assumed the same, detachable being standard. Isn't it? It is not really related to what port they have though...
Show threadtichoApr 3, 2025

@Lingondraken @notjustbikes Oh, I thought I was replying to subthread which mentioned batteries being built-in, sorry. :)

The mastodon interface readability can be wonky at times.

Show threadFellwing🇪🇺Apr 3, 2025
@ticho @notjustbikes No worries, it happens :D
Show threadBigfoodApr 3, 2025

@Lingondraken
It is, or was.
Non detachable batteries are becoming more and more today in E-Bikes.
Manufacturers are claiming weight benefits.
I need a detachable battery for charging, so my two E-Bikes are this way.

@ticho @notjustbikes

Show threadSzymon BęczkowskiApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes Agree. I have two ebikes in my household and I have two giant ~100W chargers. If the battery runs out when we are visiting friends there is no way to top up the battery.
Show threadCorbanApr 3, 2025

@notjustbikes For a second there I was thinking theres no way ebike chargers are that underpowered but i just checked and yep. 84W. My laptop takes 130W.

I wonder if we'll ever see adapters or updated battery packs for bikes with the port on the pack itself.

Show threadMartijn StaalApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes Cool! Nice to read that the batteries are still replaceable.
Show threadJohannApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes This makes so much sense. This way you can use the same charger for your bike that you use for your phone/laptop which means you can charge anywhere, not just where you store your specialty bike charger.
Show threadBastianApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes I will do you one better: I hope manufacturers will sell new batteries with USB-C PD for their older models. I would buy one. I may even buy two.
Show threadKarsten EgerApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes Imho DJI and its Avinox will follow, then fazua, Specialized. And the last will be Brose and or Bosch.
Show threadJanaApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes That's amazing. I've been waiting for more devices to adopt USB C charging. Never thought of e bikes, but I'll happily take it.
Show threadNEO//LIX 🔊Apr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes Wait, this is actually serious? I saw it scrolling by, and thought it was an April fools joke. 😅
Show threadDaniel, aka. CactiChameleon9Apr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes I wish we move to legalizing ebikes with (at least) higher power rated moters for longevity reasons, allowing more speed would be nice too
Show threadElliot MacknessApr 3, 2025

@notjustbikes Another thing that is desperately needed IMO is secure cycle parking/charging at every large supermarket and shopping mall/area.

It would be great to have a common standard for charging that every secure parking can offer for riders.

Show threadJeffreyApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes That is awesome! The other way around seems to be difficult too, as I've heard from my bike shop. Would love to have a bike that can charge my phone during my commute, but my Shimano motor/battery would not support that in the near future.
Show threadInsertUserApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes I've had a USB port fail on a phone before. I don't think they are a robust solution for frequent charging of larger devices.
Show threadGustav LindqvistApr 3, 2025
@InsertUser @notjustbikes combined with some light weather protection around the port that also doubles as support for the cable it could work. To make sure that any strain on the cable isn't transferred into the port
Show threadInsertUserApr 3, 2025

@gustav

There must be a better standard out there that's actually built to be a robust weatherproof DC supply.

@notjustbikes

Show threadJiang JiangApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes Personally I think Bosch set a bad example in this area by innovating too little and too slowly.
Show threadMoss (the τεχie) <(fsm)>{{Apr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes
Nice! But I wonder how long the tiny contacts in the plugs can withstand such high current densities.
Show threadCharlie StrossApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes Not only that: it should be possible to plug your phone/tablet/laptop into your bike for a top-up over USB-C PD2. (Ahem: some sort of device authorization mechanism will be necessary to stop random strangers draining parked bikes for shits and giggles.)
Show threadComplexity of systems 🏳️‍⚧️Apr 3, 2025
@cstross @notjustbikes I would be willing to bet at that there are a lot of devices that could theoretically support acting as a battery bank I actually bought a pier of cheap wireless headphones during 2020 and the case for them had just a USB A port in addition to the USB c port because they had apparently recycled the part of the guts for a power bank due to component shortages
Show threadComplexity of systems 🏳️‍⚧️Apr 3, 2025
@cstross @notjustbikes I've had at least one Bluetooth speaker that had the same thing except that just used the charge control IC (according to a tear down I looked up) and didn't have a direct means to charge without doing some feely invasive modifications to it honestly with stuff with USB C a reverse charging mode for emergency should be like standard like if I can drain my speaker or my flashlight to get an extra 20% out of my phone when I really need it that would be nice
Show threadComplexity of systems 🏳️‍⚧️Apr 3, 2025
@cstross @notjustbikes I really can't believe more things which are USB c devices don't support that kind of thing because again it would probably be trivial from a BOM perspective to include it would just take extra design effort
Show threadmayor of tr*nny townApr 3, 2025
@cstross @notjustbikes would be nice to have a charging port near the back of my bike so I can route a charging cable into a pannier and charge while I'm riding. I have a good battery bank but I don't leave valuables on my bike so if I choose to take it it makes my backpack much heavier
Show threadPeterApr 3, 2025
@notjustbikes I do wonder: does it charge from slower chargers as well? Like a 60W one or even lower?
Show threadRiley S. FaelanApr 3, 2025

@peter From lithium battery safety perspective, there shouldn't be an issue. The charging would just be so slow that at some point, the rider will lose patience and pedal to a faster charger.

@notjustbikes

Show threadsortiusApr 3, 2025

@notjustbikes this is April fools, right?

Everything about this terrifies me