This is How to Extend Electric Scooter Battery Life!
One can not overemphasize the importance of an electric scooter. It lets you beat traffic, run errands, and expend little energy.
Regardless, making the most of your scooter depends on how well the battery serves you.
If you are wondering how to maximize your electric scooter’s battery life, you are in the right place. Keep reading to find out more.
To extend the life of your electric scooter, charge the scooter as often as possible with the correct charger and ensure that it does not overcharge. Also, avoid fast charging if possible and store your scooter in the right conditions. Understanding the range of your scooter battery will aid in best maintenance practices.
In this article, I will explore the best ways you can extend the lifespan of your electric scooter’s battery.
In the end, you will know tricks and simple maintenance tips that will help extend the lifespan of your electric scooter’s battery.
How Long Does the Average Electric Scooter Battery Last?
An electric scooter’s battery life determines how far you can ride before recharging. Usually, the larger the battery, the greater the range.
However, the battery life also depends on how you use and maintain your scooter.
The duration of your scooter’s battery varies depending on certain factors, including the kind of battery, the usage, and how regularly you maintain the battery.
On average, a fully charged scooter can cover about 20 to 40 miles. However, you can maximize the battery by minding your riding style and conditions.
Speed, terrain, and the rider’s weight can affect a scooter’s overall range.
For instance, when you ride at a very high speed, the scooter’s motor works harder to maintain the speed, draining the battery faster.
The same applies to riding on hilly or rough routes and overloading the scooter.
If you desire to extend the range of your scooter, it would help control the speed acceleration during rides and ensure you ride on flat terrains.
Ultimately, always ensure to carry out regular maintenance. That way, you can improve your scooter’s range and overall lifespan.
How Can You Extend an Electric Scooter’s Battery Life?
The battery is the heart of any electric scooter as it fuels it and determines how far one can reach on a single charge. Several factors impact the overall range and the battery of a scooter.
Regardless of whether the battery of your scooter is brand new or a used battery, there are certain measures you can take to extend the battery’s life.
Regular maintenance is crucial if you extend your electric scooter’s battery.
Below are five tips to maximize your electric scooter’s battery life.
#1. Charge the Battery Fully and Often
It would help to charge your scooter after every ride, even short ones. Keeping the battery charged prevents it from fully draining, improving lifespan.
Also, avoid uncharging your scooter for long periods when not in use. Remember that the battery slowly loses charge over time, so always boost it occasionally.
#2. Don’t Leave Battery on Charge Long Term
While keeping your battery charged is best, please don’t always leave it plugged in.
Unplug it once fully charged, as constant charging causes excess heat buildup, which damages the battery.
#3. Avoid Extreme Temperatures
It would be best not to expose your scooter battery to extreme temperatures for too long.
Extreme heat causes battery cells to degrade faster, while cold reduces the capacity.
Store your scooter in a garage or shed, and when keeping it outside, always cover it to shield it from the weather.
#4. Replace Battery When Needed
Most electric scooter batteries last about 2 to 3 years before losing significant capacity.
If your scooter’s range or power seems reduced, it’s time for a battery replacement. Remember that long waits can overload the motor and charge, shortening their lifespan.
Always check with the scooter manufacturer for battery replacement recommendations to ensure optimal performance and safety.
#5. Avoid Fast Charging
Fast charging is convenient but can generate more heat and accelerate battery degradation. As such, it would help to avoid fast charging when possible.
Use fast charging when needed, but always stick to the standard charging for everyday charging.
Also, ensure to use the recommended charger specifically designed for your battery. Using a different charger could damage your battery or reduce its lifespan.
Once you follow the above tips, you can be sure of extending your electric scooter battery life.
Below are a few riding habits that drain your electric scooter’s battery.
#1. Harsh Braking and Acceleration
Generally, stomping on the brakes and accelerating quickly drains your battery faster than smooth riding.
Each time you slam the brakes, your scooter works hard to slow down and regain momentum.
Also, the same goes for rapid acceleration.
#2. High Speeds
The faster you ride, the more battery power it takes to keep you moving. Most electric scooters are the most efficient, around 10 to 15 mph.
Riding at top speed will cut your ride time compared to a more leisurely pace.
#3. Heavy Loads
Carrying a heavy load on your scooter requires more energy and reduces battery life. It would help only to carry what you need for your ride to maximize your range.
Generally, to get the most out of your scooter, you must develop efficient riding habits.
Can You Add an Extra Battery to Your Electric Scooter?
It is possible to add an extra battery to extend the range of your electric scooter. An extra battery is like an external energy pool for your scooter.
It helps increase the range and reduces the frequency of charging. Generally, an extra battery helps improve the overall quality of your electric scooter.
Here are the things to consider when adding an extra battery to your electric scooter.
#1. Choose the Right Battery
Ensure any additional battery pack is compatible with your specific scooter model.
First, check the voltage and chemistry and ensure they match for the batteries to work together efficiently without issues.
Generally, higher amp hours mean more range. As such, opt for the largest capacity that will fit your scooter.
#2. Connect the Batteries Properly
Connect the new battery parallel or in series with your existing battery. However, parallel connections provide more range, while series provide more power.
Check your scooter manual for the recommended configuration and ensure all connections are secure to prevent overheating.
#3. Charge and Discharge Together
It would help charge and discharge both batteries simultaneously for the best performance.
Ensure not to charge one battery separately, as this can lead to imbalance and reduce the lifespan of your batteries.
#4. Monitor Battery Health
With additional batteries, monitoring voltage and regular maintenance is even more important.
Check that both batteries hold a charge and discharge at the same rate. Just know that a second battery can provide many miles of extended runtime with proper care and maintenance.
Although adding an extra battery improves range significantly, it also has cons.
The table below contains some pros and cons of adding an extra battery to your electronic scooter.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| It significantly increases range. | It increases the weight of the scooter. |
| It’s safe and easy to install. | An extra battery increases charging time. |
| An extra battery reduces the frequency of charging. | It makes the scooter slightly less stable during rides. |
Does Leaving Your Electric Scooter Battery Plugged in Always Reduce the Battery Life?
Leaving your electric scooter plugged in and charging even after it reaches 100% is not the best practice.
It would help to know that modern lithium-ion batteries used in most electric scooters today have built-in protection circuits that stop charging once they reach maximum capacity.
Regardless, while the protection circuits prevent overcharging, the battery can still experience slight deterioration over time from the heat generated during charging.
The hotter the battery gets, the faster it will lose capacity. Unplug your scooter once it reaches full charge for the best battery health and maximizing lifespan.
Only recharge it once it reaches around 20-30% of the maximum range.
Generally, following the best practices for charging and limiting heat exposure will help keep your electric scooter’s battery in top shape for years.
While no lithium battery lasts forever, you can expect most quality electric scooter batteries to retain up to 70-80% of their capacity after several charge cycles with proper maintenance.
What Is the Average Lifespan of an Electric Scooter Battery?
The lifespan of an electric scooter battery varies depending on the type of battery, the usage, and how well you maintain it.
In general, you can expect 2-3 years for lead-acid batteries. The heavy, low-cost batteries used in some basic scooters usually last around 2 to 3 years before needing replacement.
Frequent charging, discharging, heat, and other factors contribute to their shorter lifespan.
Lithium-ion, on the other hand, lasts about 3-5 years. Many popular scooters’ lightweight, higher-energy batteries can last 3 to 5 years with proper care and maintenance.
Generally, their lifespan depends on the quality and number of charge cycles. To get the most from a scooter battery, avoid draining past 20% capacity before recharging.
Also, avoid fast charging or leaving it on charge for days and protect the battery from extreme weather.
By following these best practices for your electric scooter’s battery type, you can maximize its performance, efficiency, and lifespan.
