Originally Posted by
Doc_Wui
I can also go faster with 48V, but that's not a big deal to me, since I go fast enough on 36V. Some of the performance brands sell bikes with 52V batteries (14 series groups). Most controllers that can take 48V will also take 52V. Mine will, and while I have a 52V pack, I don't need that kind of speed. I bought it just for bragging, Kind of wasted the money since I don't need it,
One main advantage of running a higher voltage is lower current draw. Higher current means higher heat. Heat is bad for electronics and permanent magnets.
Voltage drops as the battery discharges. An advantage of 52v versus 48v is that when the battery is at, say, 20-30% capacity the voltage drop is less, so the power drop is also less.