Electric scooters are a convenient and fun way to get around and have exploded in popularity over the past few years. They help you get around quickly while skipping the traffic and reducing your carbon emissions.

While escooters generally require very little in the way of maintenance, there are a few things you can do to get the best out of your scooter, especially when it comes to the battery.

The battery is arguably the most important component of your scooter, and also the most expensive, so ensuring that you get the best possible life from it is essential.

So let’s have a look at the types of batteries used in escooters and what you can do to get the best out of your batteries.

The types of batteries

Most high quality scooters will use some kind of lithium ion (Li-ion) battery. These batteries are more expensive than other older battery technologies, but they are also more lightweight and have much better energy density and longevity. A high energy density means that they can store large amounts of energy compared to their physical weight, while longevity refers to the number of times they can be charged and discharged while still maintaining their storage capacity.

Besides Li-ion batteries, some cheaper scooter models or children’s scooters may use older style lead acid batteries. While these are inexpensive, they are heavy and have a much lower energy density compared with Li-ion batteries.

Li-ion batteries require some special care to ensure their longevity and to prevent damage. They are also expensive to replace, so it’s in your best interest to get the best possible life from them.

How long does a Li-ion battery last?

The exact lifespan of a Li-ion scooter battery depends on a number of factors. These include the size and quality of the battery, how and where you ride the scooter and the weight load being carried. How the battery is stored, charged and maintained can also affect the longevity.

In general, however, a good quality battery should last somewhere between 2 to 4 years and give you around 300 to 500 charging cycles before it starts to lose capacity. However, with meticulous care and maintenance, a top quality battery can last upwards of 1,000 cycles.

While you can replace your scooter battery, a new battery won’t come cheap, so it’s best to try to get the most out of your existing battery. Here are a few tips.

Keep the battery charged at all times

It’s important to keep your scooter at least partially charged at all times. This is especially the case during periods where you won’t be using your scooter frequently or at all, like times you are away from home on vacation.

Lithium ion batteries can start to degrade if they are left unused with a low charge. This can negatively affect the storage capacity and lifespan of the battery.

Batteries should be stored with a minimum of 40-50% charge, but ideally a full charge. This will help to protect the battery and help you to get a longer life out of it.

Avoid overcharging the battery

While ensuring your battery is regularly charged, it’s essential that you don’t overcharge it. Overcharging a Li-ion battery can destabilise the battery chemistry, increasing pressure and causing thermal runaway.

Li-ion batteries will generally have protection circuits to prevent pressure build-up and stop the temperature rising above safe levels. However, if you’re not using the right charger or charging at a higher than specified voltage, this could potentially overcharge the battery.

Use the correct charger

Using the proper charger for a Li-ion battery is essential for maximising its lifespan. The incorrect charging voltage or current can degrade the battery’s performance, meaning it will no longer be capable of holding a full charge or reach its maximum capacity in power.

In some cases, using an incorrect charger can even damage the protective circuitry that guards the cells from discharge, leading to higher risks of short-circuiting, overcharging and overheating.

To get the most out of your Li-ion battery and keep it operating in top condition for as long as possible, make sure that you always use the right charger. Not only will this help avoid any potential problems down the line, it may also extend the life expectancy of your device significantly.

Beware of temperature

Extremely high or low temperatures can damage Li-ion batteries. The optimal operating and storage temperature range for these batteries is between 0°C and 45°C. Outside of this range the battery cells can swell and leak. In the case of cold temperatures, the electrolyte can freeze leading to short circuits and permanent battery damage.

When storing your escooter, make sure that it will not be exposed to extreme temperatures or weather conditions.

Read Also: 5 Ways You May Be Damaging your E-bike

Taking proper care of your battery as part of your regular escooter maintenance will help you to get the best possible lifespan out of it. This will prevent costly battery replacement and allow you to hit the road with peace of mind.