After market batteries, will they work?

[Moretorque]

I was reading on these newer Ebikes if you try and run a after market battery they have the bikes setup to reject them. Is this correct? I want to get a replacement but not factory... Thanks.

 

[fill]

Depends on the bike, Most brands established and new will in an attempt to create unique selling points use custom firmware run on generic control systems and employ brand protections such as battery communication which is sales speak for limiting your replacement battery options to the original seller if available..

Battery communications are not adding any value, the current voltage of the battery at any given time is the best indicator of remaining charge available something most pick up in working out in their heads at a glance after a week or two. so avoid any bike offering this special feature..

double check that only 2 x power leads connect to the battery to be safe..

without the complication of unnecessary battery coms features you can relax knowing any quality replacement battery pack of a suitable voltage and capacity should work fine.

 

[2old]

FME, some brands have a proprietary interface between the battery and motor/controller, so you need a retrofit (if possible) to use just any battery.

 

[RunForTheHills]

Your bike won't have that issue. Ebikes with a closed ecosystem like the Bosch or Shimano STEPS have implemented a proprietary communication system with the battery to ensure you can only buy batteries from the bike manufacturer.

 

[Moretorque]

Thanks. So if I get any battery that fits correctly and is same voltage it should work?

 

[RunForTheHills]

Thanks. So if I get any battery that fits correctly and is same voltage it should work?

Yes, you can check your current battery to make sure it uses only two wires. A battery with the same voltage and chemistry.

 

[offGridDownUnder]

So if I get any battery that fits correctly and is same voltage it should work?

Strictly speaking you're also interested in the maximum discharge rate, etc.as well. You're probably taking this into account with your question, but the answers will lie here for years for future searchers to discover, so I thought I'd just mention that.

 

[E-HP]

Here's what ChatGBT says about proprietary batteries and the level that they are locked down. Most of the entries look like they reference Reddit, so take that into account; but looking at the list, it seems fairly accurate.

Major brands with proprietary or semi-proprietary battery systems​

Brand / System	How proprietary?	Notes
Bosch	Very	Bosch batteries, motors, displays, and firmware are designed as a closed ecosystem. Different Bosch generations are often not cross-compatible.
Specialized	Very	Uses custom batteries and electronics on Turbo models. Many components are integrated with proprietary firmware and diagnostics.
VanMoof	Extremely	Historically used highly integrated in-house batteries, controllers, and electronics. Repairability and parts availability became a major issue after bankruptcy.
Stromer	Very	Uses custom integrated batteries and cloud-connected systems. Replacement packs are expensive and brand-specific.
Trek	Moderate to high	Some Trek e-bikes use Bosch systems; others use Trek-specific integrated batteries and mounts.
Gazelle	Moderate	Many models use Bosch or Shimano systems, which are proprietary ecosystems shared across brands.
Riese & Müller	Moderate	Primarily Bosch-powered, meaning the bike inherits Bosch ecosystem lock-in.
Shimano	Very	Shimano STEPS batteries and electronics are tightly integrated with Shimano motors/displays.
Yamaha	Very	Yamaha mid-drive systems typically require Yamaha-compatible batteries and firmware.
Brose	Moderate to high	Often paired with custom bike-brand batteries and software integrations.
Brompton	High	Brompton Electric bikes use a unique removable battery bag system.
Cowboy	Very	Uses app-connected, brand-specific battery and electronics architecture.
Lectric	Moderate	Proprietary packs and mounts, though less locked-down than Bosch/VanMoof.
Aventon	Moderate	Uses proprietary battery housings and in-house electronics on many models.
Rad Power Bikes	Moderate	Older batteries resembled generic Reention-style packs; newer systems are more proprietary.

 

[offGridDownUnder]

"When generic batteries are outlawed, only outlaws will use generic batteries"