This article aims to introduce the importance of electric scooter batteries and the need for maintenance.
Importance of electric scooter batteries
The battery of an electric scooter provides the power and energy to enable the scooter to travel. Choosing high-quality batteries can improve the performance and endurance of the scooter while also ensuring safety and stability. Therefore, it is very important to regularly check and maintain the battery to ensure the normal operation and safety of the scooter.
Why do we need to maintain electric scooter batteries?
- Like all batteries, the batteries in your electric scooter will eventually wear out and may need to be replaced.
- Regardless, proper maintenance can help extend the life of your battery and ensure optimal performance from your electric scooter.
- Regular battery maintenance is essential to extending the life of your scooter battery.
Factors affecting electric scooter battery life
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| Temperature | High temperatures can cause the battery to degrade faster, while low temperatures can reduce capacity. It is best to protect your e-scooter battery from extreme weather conditions. |
Leaving an e-scooter in a hot car or outside in the sun for long periods of time can damage the battery and shorten its lifespan. Using an e-scooter in freezing temperatures can also reduce its capacity and range. |
| Charging Frequency | Frequent charging will cause the battery to degrade faster | A charging cycle means that the battery is used up from full to empty, and then charged from empty to full. This is not equivalent to one charge. For example, a lithium battery is only half charged on the first day, and then fully charged. If it is the same on the second day, that is, half charged, it is only charged twice in total, which can only be counted as one charging cycle, not two.
Therefore, it may usually take several charges to complete a cycle. After each charging cycle, the battery capacity will decrease a little. However, this capacity reduction is very small. After multiple cycles of charging, high-quality batteries will still retain 80% of the original capacity. Many lithium-powered products are still in normal use after two or three years. |
| Discharge Depth | Depth of discharge will cause the battery to degrade faster. | If you frequently drain your battery to nearly empty, you’ll cause more damage than if you only use half of the battery before recharging.
Keeping your battery between 20% and 80% charged will better maximize its lifespan. |
| Battery Life | All batteries degrade and lose capacity over time. | Lithium-ion batteries have a lifespan of about 2-3 years, while lead-acid batteries have a lifespan of about 1-2 years.
If you use your electric scooter regularly, you may need to replace the battery after this time to maintain optimal performance. |
How to extend battery life
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Tips
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Overview
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Analysis
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Batteries need to be kept cool
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Avoid excessive heat when charging or riding.
It is recommended to store your scooter at 50°F – 70°F (10℃-21℃) for optimal performance.
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While lithium-ion batteries can handle cold weather better than most other battery types, their ability to store and release energy is compromised when temperatures get too high or too low.
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Batteries need to breathe
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Batteries require constant air flow to stay cool.
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Batteries cannot be exposed to moisture
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Do not ride through standing water (puddles) or snow
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Water may splash onto the deck and battery. Water damaged scooters are not covered by the Roadrunner warranty.
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Slow charging (if possible)
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The larger the battery pack (measured in amp-hours), the slower it will charge.
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If you’re concerned about battery life, use the normal 2A charger that comes with the scooter.
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Don’t overcharge
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When the battery is fully charged, the charger will automatically shut off
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But it is recommended to remove the charger from the charging port of the scooter after charging is completed (the indicator light will be ball color)
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How to prevent electric scooter battery fires?
What causes e-scooter battery fires?
- E-scooters consist of mostly lithium batteries. The cathode is made up of lithium oxide, which means there is a relatively high chance of oxygen being released as a byproduct.
- Lithium is a very reactive alkali metal and is very flammable. This phenomenon itself poses a significant fire risk.
- Storing large amounts of energy in a confined space can result in this potential energy being suddenly released in a violent way — a fire.
Factors affecting electric scooter fires
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Overview
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Analysis
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Battery failure
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In all reports of e-scooter fires, the battery is the primary cause.
It’s the power source of long-range e-scooters, so mishandling the battery can put you and your scooter at risk of fire.
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Any damage to the electrical, thermal or mechanical function of the battery may cause the All Terrain E-Scooter to not function properly.
The worst-case scenario is a fire. Such an outbreak can be controlled by careful handling, especially when lifting and lowering the E-Scooter.
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Exposure to extreme temperatures
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Lithium-ion batteries do not perform well at high temperatures. When the external temperature exceeds the temperature of the battery/cell, the battery starts to heat up. An exothermic reaction then occurs, causing fire to break out. This phenomenon is also known as thermal instability or thermal runaway.
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Ideally, the ambient temperature of an off-road electric scooter should be low so that the battery does not swell and spontaneously combust.
Spontaneous combustion usually results in fires and occurs in batteries that are acclimated to extreme external temperatures.
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Improper charging
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Overcharging the batteries will cause them to only last a short time; this is the thought process of some people, so it needs to be emphasized. Once your commuter scooter is fully charged, it is best to unplug it from the power source.
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There are no extra charges or reserve charges. There are a number of ways to maximize the battery life of your e-scooter.
Long-distance e-scooter batteries have predetermined minimum and maximum charge levels, exceeding which may result in overcharging or discharging. Discharging can also damage the life of the battery, and charging with the wrong adapter charger can cause the battery to drain while charging. If these poor charging methods are continued for an extended period of time, the battery will become damaged and a fire may occur.
For safety reasons, charging at home is strictly prohibited.
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How to prevent battery fires?
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Overview
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Analysis
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Avoid overcharging your scooter
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Electric scooters generally take a few hours to charge.
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It is wrong to overcharge the battery of an electric scooter. When the battery is overcharged, the potential energy contained in the battery is excited and becomes unstable. This instability can cause the battery to swell and spontaneously combust in extreme cases.
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Don’t put undue pressure on your scooter
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Most off-road electric scooters are designed to be sturdy, but this doesn’t mean you can constantly ride on rough roads.
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Ensure your commuter scooter is not subjected to extreme pressure and tension, which could damage delicate internal parts and ultimately cause a fire.
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Check your battery and electrical system regularly
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It would be even better if you were conscious about maintaining your scooter. Check the battery and wiring of your system as regularly as possible to detect any components that need replacement.
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Ideally, it is best to replace the battery regularly, and when you do replace it, make sure the new battery is in good condition. From the outside, the battery may look perfect, but do a thorough inspection to see the condition of the internal components, as short circuits can cause fires.
Also, when you replace the old battery, make sure to buy the new one from an approved e-scooter shop. This move will reduce the risk of buying a battery that is not compatible with your long-range e-scooter.
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Avoid high temperatures
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If possible, do not leave your commuter scooter in hot conditions.
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You may not be able to avoid riding on sunny days, but you can reduce the time you spend in the sun.
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Help understand how lithium batteries work
FAQ
How long does an electric scooter battery last per charge？
Typically, batteries are defined by 3 basic specifications, Voltage (V), Amp-hours (Ah) and Watt-hours (Wh).
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Analysis
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Voltage (V)
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Voltage is analogous to water pressure; the higher the voltage, the greater the “pressure” in the current.
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Amp-hours (Ah)
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Battery capacity refers to the amount of charge a battery can store, typically measured in ampere-hours (Ah).
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Watt-hours (Wh)
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Battery energy is the total amount of energy stored in the battery, typically measured in watt-hours (Wh). Wh = V x Ah
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To determine the capacity of a battery, it’s best to use watt-hours (Wh) as the unit. Watt-hours provide a more accurate representation of the energy stored in the battery, taking into account both voltage and current. Unlike ampere-hours (Ah), watt-hours offer a comprehensive and standardized measurement of energy. The energy of a battery is determined by its voltage and ampere-hours, calculated using the formula Wh = V x Ah.
A 48V 8.8Ah battery is actually much larger than a 24V 12Ah battery and provides a longer range.
48Vx8.8Ah = 422Wh; 24Vx12Ah = 288Wh
How to calculate the range of an electric scooter based on its battery?
The formula to calculate the range of an electric scooter is:
Range (km) = Battery Energy (Wh) ÷ Energy Consumption (Wh/km)
First, you need to determine the average amount of energy consumed per kilometer (energy consumption) by your electric scooter. This can vary based on your weight, terrain, wind resistance, and other factors.
For example, let’s assume your electric scooter has a battery energy of 360Wh and an energy consumption of 18Wh/km.
Range = 360Wh ÷ 18Wh/km = 20 km
This means your electric scooter can travel 20 kilometers on a single charge under ideal conditions.
Extended Reading: Is the Size of the Electric Scooter’s Battery Related to Its Range?
