Is your electric scooter underperforming? Do you think your electric scooter is unable to hold a lasting battery charge? Often, the reason for any electric vehicle’s poor performance is its battery.
Let’s face it, the electric scooter’s battery is its key component and an expensive one too. That is why you must treat your battery well so that it does the same for you.
Electric scooter battery maintenance is simpler than rocket science. Here is a detailed guide explaining everything about an electric scooter’s battery life.
All the Types of Electric Scooter Batteries Available
Li-ion Batteries
Many e-scooters include lithium-ion batteries. These rechargeable batteries are low weight, have a high energy density, and are rechargeable. Having a high energy density means that the Li-ion batteries weigh much less as compared to how much energy they store. These batteries are so powerful that they are also used in the military and aerospace industries.
Li-ion batteries contain lithium-ion in the form of chemical compounds. Different types of lithium-ion compounds lead to differing safety, capacity, and output features in batteries.
All lithium-ion batteries come with charge cycles between 500 and 1000 depending on the manufacturer. They take less time to charge batteries and are in electric vehicles.
Lead-Acid Battery
Sealed lead-acid batteries are in electric scooters across the world. They are the oldest battery chemistry that is reliable and inexpensive.
Compared to lithium-ion batteries, these batteries have poor energy density and take longer to charge.
If you are a frequent user of your electric scooter then there is not much to worry about. You have to make sure that the terminals of these batteries are clean every time. If your electric scooter is sitting idle for a long time, then your battery may need maintenance to prevent damage.
Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery
Some electric vehicles also feature nickel-metal hydride batteries. These batteries have high energy density but they take a lot of time to charge (10 plus hours).
What is an Electric Scooter Batteries Life Span?
The battery lifespan is between 2 to 4 years.
The lifespan depends on several factors. These include the battery’s quality, how often you charge it, and whether you take care of it.
Electric scooter batteries last 4000 miles on average. For a regular user, this is not more than 3 years. But the good news is that these batteries are replaceable. So, your electric scooter can last longer.
When Should You Replace an Electric Scooter’s Battery?
The electric scooter’s battery has to be replaced in the following scenarios:
- When the battery becomes damaged such as due to a short circuit.
- When the battery fails to turn on.
- When the battery stops charging.
Once you are aware that your battery is not working, you must replace it immediately. Not replacing the damaged battery may damage the electric scooter itself.
Replacing the battery
Electric scooters come in many forms and models. For example, there are scooters for kids and commuter scooters.
You have to make sure to buy the replacement battery from the same brand, model, and manufacturer as the original one. This will allow you to use the original charger made for your electric scooter’s model.
The price of battery replacement differs. For example, a lead-acid battery will cost much less than a lithium-ion or nickel-metal hydride battery.
How to Take Care of Your Electric Scooter’s Battery?
Here are a few maintenance steps to consider:
Don’t fully drain the battery
Electric scooter batteries are different from the ones in our cell phones. When using cell phones, most of us have the habit of draining the phone’s charge and then charging it full afterward. We should not charge the e-scooter battery in the same way as it can harm the battery.
You should maintain your electric scooter’s battery above 50 percent for your battery’s longevity.
Discharge the Battery Regularly
Discharging the battery completely after every 10-15 charges will give it a full charge cycle and enhance its performance.
Keep the battery at its optimal temperature
Using your electric scooter in extreme temperatures will take a toll on its battery. Charge your electric battery in a cool and ventilated area where there is an ideal temperature for the battery.
Cold temperatures reduce the battery capacity. If you live in a place where it is cold then make sure to charge your scooter indoors. Also, avoid storing the scooter where it is in contact with direct sunlight.
Let the Battery Cool Down
While it is best to charge your electric scooter as soon as possible after you have completed your journey. You should give your battery some time to cool down.
Features to Look For in an Electric Scooter Battery
When you are planning to buy an electric scooter keep in mind that the battery is the heart of it. That is why it is a good idea to check some of the features of the scooter’s battery pack.
Output Voltage:
In electric scooters, voltage affects the power of the motor. Higher voltage leads to high power reaching the motor. For best performance, the battery’s output voltage should be greater than the motor’s input voltage.
Electric scooter batteries are configured in
- 24V
- 36V and
- 48V
Electric scooters with high voltages are faster. Some of the things that affect the scooter’s performance and charge can be:
- Rider’s weight
- Engine
- Terrain
Battery Charge
Ah is the measure of the battery charge. Ah stands for Ampere-hour.
How many Ah is a scooter battery?
Electric scooters have a battery charge capacity of between 2 Ah to 50 Ah. The higher the battery charge the greater its performance.
Battery charge can be known by using this formula:
Storage capacity (Watt-hour) divided by Voltage (Volts)
E-scooter Battery Capacity
Often, electric scooter manufacturers do not show the battery storage capacity. Battery capacity is measured in Watt-hours.
Your electric scooter will cover a wider range if it has a high battery capacity.
The electric scooter battery capacities start from 100Wh-3000Wh
You can determine the battery capacity by multiplying the charge and the voltage.
1 Wh = 1 Ah x 1V
Here are some things you should know about your electric scooter battery:
Voltage Sag:
Electric scooters often experience a voltage sag. Voltage sag happens to all kinds of batteries in certain situations where the demand for power by the scooter becomes high such as:
- The scooter is riding uphill.
- The scooter is riding into the wind.
- Short circuit
- Electrical resistance
Voltage sag may also happen when you are traveling a long distance without charging the vehicle for a long time. The result is that the voltage drops. The solution to this issue is to switch off your scooter and let it rest for 5-10 minutes. This is so that it can regain the original voltage.
C-rate
C-rate tells us how long it takes for the battery to charge. For example, if your electric scooter has a C-rate of 2C that means your scooter is charged in 2 hours.
Battery Brands
Your electric scooter battery’s brand determines its performance and quality. Some manufacturers produce some of the best e-scooters on the market.
Non-branded e-vehicles will also work fine on your regular commutes. The branded ones will deliver top-notch quality performance that you will enjoy.
Common Electric Scooter Battery Problems and their Solutions
Faulty Battery
Open the deck and inspect the battery. Check if there is any leakage. If you do not find any physical signs of a faulty battery then test the battery’s voltage. You can do this using a voltmeter. A low voltage means that you now have to replace your battery. The ideal voltage reading should be the same at the charging port and the battery pack.
There can also be issues with the electric scooter failing to charge. When charging the scooter, check whether it is showing the red light. The light should turn green when the battery is completely charged. If the lights are not showing as described above then that shows a faulty battery as well.
Old Battery
When you are charging the battery, the light is first red and turns green when charged. The green light indicates that more than 50 percent of your battery has been charged and it is being charged slowly to prevent overcharging.
If your charger’s light turns green sooner this is a sign that your scooter’s battery is getting old. It is time to replace this battery if your e-scooter is not able to reach its highest speed on a full charge.
An old battery may also show the followings sign indicating that it has to be replaced by a new one:
- The battery fails to turn on.
- It shows issues in charging such as it will continuously blink red light and not charge.
- It will not charge at all or may take a long time to charge.
- The scooter is not able to start.
- Electric scooters may slow down. Old batteries fail to hold a charge for a long time. Hence even if you charge them fully, they will drain in no time.
- Scooter’s motor gets overheated if the batteries are worn out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an electric scooter last without charging?
Different brands, models, and types of electric scooters cover different miles in a single charge. How much time an e-scooter can last in a single charge depends on certain factors. These include things like the rider’s weight and riding surface. In general, most electric scooters can travel 10-50 miles on one charge.
How often can you charge a battery in a day?
This depends on the distance of your rides and the charging time. If you need your electric scooter to travel long distances then you have to charge it more than once daily. As a general rule, it is best to charge your scooter after completing every ride.
Can batteries be overcharged?
Yes, batteries can overcharge. A battery management system helps in preventing harm to the battery due to overcharging. Overcharging can still damage your battery and in worst cases may even cause it to explode. If at any time while charging your electric scooter it gets hot then it is best to unplug it and allow it to cool.
How long does an electric scooter last before dying?
Electric scooters live longer than their batteries. Their batteries are easy to replace. In general, an electric scooter can last up to five years or more if it is a high-end model that is well taken care of.
Can you replace electric scooter batteries?
It is recommended to replace your electric scooter’s battery when it is damaged or not working. You can get your e-scooter batteries replaced by any local mechanic or you can do it by yourself if you have the knowledge and the tools.
How do I know if my scooter needs a new battery?
Your electric scooter needs a new battery if it shows the following signs:
- Failure to turn on
- Not charging
- Your electric scooter is unable to start.
- Some electronic parts of the scooter are failing to function.
How long does an electric scooter battery take to charge?
The charging time of an electric scooter depends on the battery. The battery can be lithium-ion, 24V lead-acid, or nickel-metal hydride. Lithium-ion batteries take the least time to charge.
In general, most e-scooters charge in 3 to 9 hours. Some may even take the whole day to charge while others can be fully charged in half an hour.
Should an electric scooter be on when charging?
You can charge your electric scooter when it is on. This will reduce the scooter’s charge faster and may also be harmful to the battery. Hence, it is better to turn the scooter off when charging it.
What is the Battery Management System in electric scooters?
The BMS (battery management system) in the electric scooter is like it is in any electronic system. The BMS handles the battery pack and protects the battery from operating in unsafe conditions.
What do the red and green lights on the charger mean?
When the charger is displaying a red light it means that the battery is charging fast. After some time, the light changes to green. This indicates that the battery is being charged to prevent overcharging.
How tall should scooter bars be?
In general, scooter bars should be the height of the hip to your waist when you are standing on the scooter. Bars should be near your waist so that it is easy for you to control your scooter and avoid injury.
Are electric scooters OK in the rain?
Many electric scooters are waterproof but it is best to avoid riding a scooter in the rain. There are chances of your scooter being damaged by the rain if it happens to submerge in water.
Charge the Scooter Before Storing
Before storing your electric scooter make sure to charge it. If you plan on storing your scooter for more than a month then it is recommended to charge it to 60-65% beforehand. To make sure your battery remains healthy, it is best to keep checking its charge every month that it has been stored and topping it up when needed.
Knowing When the Battery is Fully Charged
When charging your e-scooter, always switch off charging when the charger says the charge is full. Do not wait until the electric scooter display says it is full.
Electric scooters charge to 80 percent but the correct charger looks after the battery by not over-charging it. After 80% the charger slows down the charging of the battery to avoid overcharging.
Sometimes the electric scooter display may show the charge of the scooter as full. But here you should keep charging the scooter until the scooter charger says it is fully charged.
Refer to the Instruction Manual
Electric scooters come with an instruction manual. You can go through it to check the appropriate conditions for your chosen e-scooter.
Conclusion
Electric scooter batteries are the most important components in the electric scooter. Many manufacturers offer up to 3 years warranty for the battery. In general, the average electric scooter battery life is around 2-3 years.
This guide has listed some key maintenance tips that can prolong the life of your scooter’s battery. By including these tips as part of your daily routine you can enhance your battery and hence your scooter’s longevity.
