I use Capital Bikeshare electric bikes for my daily commute in Washington, DC. Lately, the service has become unreliable, even on routes I know well. The electric assist cuts out suddenly, even though the battery indicator still shows a normal charge level, and the bike suddenly feels heavy. I’ve noticed this problem most often on my long morning commutes between different parts of the city. I’ve tried several e-bikes at different times, and the problem persists. Because of this, I no longer trust the system for my daily commute. The app doesn’t give clear warnings, and the charging process seems to work fine. The weather has been mild, which doesn’t explain the problem. I suspect it’s a technical or battery issue. Has anyone else experienced this and found a solution? 
I had the same problem, and it usually happens when the battery is lower than expected, even if the display doesn’t clearly indicate it. Sometimes turning the bike off and on helps, but it’s very annoying on my way to work.
Many local cyclists believe this is due to the battery’s condition, not its charge level. The system limits power to protect older batteries, causing a sudden loss of assistance. It seems arbitrary, but it makes sense.
It’s good to know that others see it that way too.
I use these electric bikes daily, and their inconsistent performance makes commuting difficult. The assistance seems weaker than before, and this unpredictability is very stressful during rush hour.
This problem is more common in older bicycles that have been used for a long time. Entering the serial number into the app helps to gradually remove defective bicycles from service.
Customer service informed me that the motor reduces its power as soon as it detects voltage fluctuations. This can occur even under a seemingly normal load. The goal is to prevent total motor failure while driving.
In short, yes, that happens to me often, especially on gentle slopes. Lately, I’ve been switching bikes sooner if the assistance seems too weak.
Gradual acceleration allowed me to reduce sudden power drops. The system seems to respond to the rate of power increase, although this shouldn’t be necessary.
I use Capital Bikeshare’s electric bikes almost daily in Washington, D.C., and have been analyzing their performance for several months. At some stations, the bikes’ performance is significantly worse. The age and maintenance of the batteries are more important than the displayed charge level. While reporting problems gradually improves the quality of the bike fleet, this requires the participation of many users.
Moisture and dirt from the road can affect the sensors, even if the temperature appears normal. Maintenance intervals vary, which could explain the erratic behavior.
Sometimes, after completing a trip and unlocking it again, the assistance and power are restored. I did it without any problems mid-trip and it worked.
I will report the number of bicycles more frequently in the future.