7 Tips to Maximise Your Electric Scooter Battery Life

One of the advantages of owning an electric scooter is that it requires very little maintenance. Unlike a car, motorcycle, or bike, an e-scooter doesn’t require regular trips to the mechanic for replacement or tuning. This makes them a convenient and hassle-free personal vehicle. However, improper use or storage of your electric scooter could affect its battery capacity. In turn, your battery would drain faster and could shorten its lifespan. To help you maximise your electric scooter battery life, here are simple ways to take care of your electric scooter and battery.

How long does an electric scooter charge last?

Before going into the different ways to take care of your e-scooter battery, it’s important to know how long your battery should last. On average, the lifespan of a battery lasts between 300 to 500 cycles. That’s around one to three years or 3,000 to 10,000 miles. However, your e-scooter battery’s lifespan depends on several factors such as its battery size and watt-hours.

Take note that once you reach the 300 to 500 cycles of your battery, it does not mean that your battery will die. Your battery will simply carry less capacity, so your e-scooter will perform with less power. However, whether your battery is brand new or it has already reached over 500 cycles, taking care of it will help you get the most out of your battery.

How to make electric scooter battery last longer

Practise these tips to maximise your battery life.

1. Know your electric scooter’s battery capacity and true range

Know the specs of your e-scooter battery such as the volts (V), ampere-hours (Ah), watt-hours (Wh), and the type of battery. If your manufacturer did not list the battery’s watt-hours, you can calculate this by multiplying the ampere-hours by the voltage. 

Then, it’s important to test or be mindful of how long your electric scooter travels on a full charge. Remember that your electric scooter range depends on many factors. So, getting your true range can take a few trips to get a good estimate of how far your e-scooter can go. Knowing this information will give you an idea of how much your battery capacity is and what numbers you need to maintain. 

2. Don’t drain your battery

One of the ways on how to make an electric scooter battery last longer is to never drain it. Fully draining then fully charging a battery may be good for some devices, but that’s not the case for electric scooter batteries. Try to keep the battery above a 10% to 40% charge. 

Try not to use the fastest speed mode when riding or climbing steep hills, especially when your e-scooter is not made for climbing. Doing these will use more of your battery and drain your battery faster. Ultimately, the best way to avoid draining your battery and not have to think about it often is to charge it after every use. This way, you know that your electric scooter always has a charge. Moreover, when you are in a hurry, you can always grab your e-scooter and go since it’s already fully charged.

3. Charge your electric scooter regularly

Charging your battery often will not only avoid a drained battery but also maximise your e-scooter battery life. Even if there’s still a lot of battery charge left on your electric scooter after a whole day of travelling, make it a point to still charge it at the end of the day. 

Doing this will put less stress on your battery and maintain your battery’s optimal condition. Think of it this way: a person eating three times a day has sustained energy and performance throughout the day. Meanwhile, a person who only eats once a day will become sluggish and unable to perform as his/her energy depletes throughout the day. It's a similar principle to your e-scooter battery. So, make sure to always charge your battery. 

4. Avoid overcharging your electric scooter battery

While it’s important to charge your battery regularly, it’s equally important not to overcharge it as well. Once it’s fully charged, disconnect it immediately from the plug or cable. Manufacturers share the average or maximum charging time of your battery, so make sure to keep an eye on your battery when time is almost up.

Take note that if your battery is charging longer than recommended, your battery might be defective or near the end of its lifespan. When this happens to you, it’s time to replace your battery.

5. Keep the battery charged even when not in use

Even when you will not be using your electric scooter tomorrow or for a while, don’t let it sit there with an almost drained battery. Make sure that it is at least 40-50% charged. Better yet, fully charge it before storing it for a long time. 

Lithium-ion batteries tend to last longer when it has stored charge, so charge your battery at least every 30 days if it will not be used regularly or for a long time. This way, your battery can retain its capacity and performance once you decide to use it again.

6. Use the correct charger for your battery

This goes without saying, but, some riders prefer to buy an aftermarket charging cable since it’s more affordable. However, using a charger that’s not meant for your battery, even when it fits, could damage and shorten its battery life. It could undercharge or overcharge the battery, especially if it does not have the right specs that your battery needs.

If your charger breaks, most manufacturers sell a replacement. In fact, some manufacturers even offer a warranty for the charger, so you can have it repaired or replaced for free if it’s still within the warranty period. If you’re no longer covered by the warranty, make sure to buy a manufacturer-approved charger.

7. Store your battery or electric scooter at the right temperature

Maximise your electric scooter battery life by storing the electric scooter or battery under the right temperature. Optimal temperature can vary per model or brand, so it’s best to check your e-scooter’s specifications. 

If the optimal temperature is not written in the manual or specs, just make sure that it’s not stored in a space that’s too hot or too cold. The ideal temperature would be what humans can tolerate. Lithium-ion batteries, in particular, don’t respond well to extreme hot or cold temperatures, so avoid placing your electric scooter in direct sunlight for too long or outside during winter.

Keep these tips in mind

Ultimately, being mindful of how you ride, charge, and store your  battery will help prolong its life and maximise your electric scooter battery life. Practice these tips to prolong your battery’s lifespan.

If you can no longer prolong the battery life, a small quick fix would be to have an electric scooter battery upgrade using an external battery. It will not replace or refill your current battery, but it can add more capacity and power. Electric scooters like the Mearth X Pro offer an attachable external battery to help you get the most out of the electric scooter.