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Introduction
Modern transportation has experienced transformation in recent years due to the introduction of electric scooters in the market. Electric scooters have paved the way to squeeze in through heavy traffic, making your ride smooth through efficient steering. It has also become a quicker and cheaper mode of transportation with soaring oil prices.
However, one must remember that electric scooters have their heart running through their batteries. Therefore, it is much needed to maintain and take proper care of the same for prolonging battery life. In this write-up, we will discuss significant factors that affects electric scooter's battery life and will also discuss a few ways in which you can prolong the battery life easily from the comfort of your home.
Factors Affecting the Battery Life of Electric Scooters
You will notice that the recently developed electric scooters use Lithium-ion batteries due to their high energy density and long cycle life, and they are also designed to be lighter in weight. Here, we mention a few factors that affect the battery life of any electric scooter.
- Frequency and duration of use:
The frequency of charging and duration of battery use helps maintain its life. If you charge it frequently, it degrades the battery faster, whereas setting it often shortens its lifespan. The battery goes through a cycle each time it charges and discharges, leading to wear and tear. So it is better to charge the battery as per the duration of your use.
- Charging and discharging rates:
If you are draining your battery regularly to a certain point, leaving it empty leads to more wear and tear. However, if you use only half of the capacity of your battery and recharge it, you can reduce the wear and tear. So, to increase the battery's lifespan, charging it between 20% and 80% is recommended.
- Working environment temperature:
The temperature of the environment in which your e-scooter is kept affects the battery significantly. The temperature range for your battery to perform optimally is zero to 45 degrees Celsius. Anything below or above this specified range hampers the performance of your battery. Suppose the temperature goes higher than the mentioned range; the battery will heat up, and it may lead to a short circuit. On the other hand, if the temperature goes below the mentioned range, the battery cannot provide the required amount of current to the motor, thereby hampering the speed.
- Battery protection measures (such as overcharging and over-discharging protection):
Practices such as overcharging and over-discharging hamper the performance of your e-scooter's battery. Overcharging means providing excessive current to the battery, whereas over-discharging means leaving the battery without a charge for longer durations. In both cases, the battery gets affected deeply, so Battery protection measures help provide an extended battery life.
- Impact of battery aging on performance:
As the e-scooter battery ages, its performance degrades. It means it does not respond quickly. Make a note of the battery warranty as mentioned by the manufacturer, and also follow the points mentioned in the manual to use the battery.
How to Prolong the Battery Life of an Electric Scooter?
Since now, you are aware of the factors that can lead to shortening the battery life of your e-scooter. Here, we provide ways to prolong the battery life of your e-scooter.
- Avoiding Over Charging/Discharging:
Almost all modern e-scooters use lithium-ion batteries, which are very powerful when attended with care. If you overcharge or overheat the battery, it will lead to a fire, damaging the battery and making it a total loss. So we recommend never leaving your e-scooter on charge for a whole night or an extended period without monitoring.
Keep an eye on your e-scooter while it is in charge, and if the battery is damaged, do not leave it unattended; rather, dispose of it carefully. Moreover, ensure not to discharge the battery fully, as it may shorten its life. So, keep your scooter charged regularly even if you are not using it.
- Maintaining the appropriate temperature to store the e-scooter
Nowadays, most electric scooters use lithium batteries, which work best between a temperature range of zero to 45 degrees Celsius. However, if the temperature goes beyond the mentioned limits, it can damage lithium batteries, which may get swelled up, or liquid leakage may occur. It may also lead to short circuits due to freezing of the electrolyte and deformation of the cells, resulting in battery explosion. For this, you must keep the internal temperature of your e-scooter in check by using a temperature probe.
- Regular inspection and battery maintenance:
It is advisable to keep a check on the battery of the e-scooter at regular intervals. Regular e-scooter inspections help avoid situations like leaking batteries, other damages, etc. Get the battery checked to ensure it meets all the norms of a standard battery.
- Avoiding rapid acceleration/braking while riding:
If you suddenly accelerate your e-scooter while driving, it can pressure its battery, resulting in damage. So it is better to make use of speed control, and even if you want to increase the speed, do it slowly and not rapidly to get a better and smoother acceleration. Similarly, sudden braking must be avoided to release the pressure on the battery.
- Regularity in recharging battery avoiding idle storage for more extended periods:
The battery of an electric scooter is its most essential part. It is where all the energy is stored to power the vehicle motor, and when it runs, the engine recharges it. The scooter's limit to cover more considerable distances depends upon the size of its battery. However, there is limited functionality provided to the batteries. So, leave it at home and be active for more extended periods. Also, recharging the battery at frequent intervals is recommended to prevent dysfunctionality.
Battery Maintenance Tips
Here are a few tips for you to follow for battery maintenance to ensure it goes a long way.
To avoid problems like overcharging or overcharging, you must always use the original or authorized charger provided by the E-scooter manufacturer. It is so because the original charger uses the correct voltage to charge the battery correctly. But if you use the wrong charger, the voltage may differ per the battery specifications and may cause damage to it. It may also result in replacing your battery before the specified time it should run, leading to an escalation of maintenance costs.
We advise avoiding keeping your e-scooters outdoors as it hampers the battery life to a significant extent due to extreme temperatures. The battery of your e-scooter performs best at temperatures between zero to 45 degrees Celsius. Any temperature fluctuations may lead to cell reformation, liquid leaking, and electrolyte freezing, resulting in short circuits. So, you must maintain the required temperature to maximize your e-scooter's battery.
Driving your e-scooters through muddy, watery, or uneven roads may impair your battery incorrectly. It is so because your e-scooter's battery is made to handle dry environments easily. However, when exposed to a muddy or watery environment, it may result in dysfunction and shorten the life of your battery.
It is advisable to regularly clean the battery along with its surrounding components associated with your e-scooter. Additionally, you must make sure that they are dry as well as well-ventilated to avoid any problems in the future.
If you leave your scooter unattended while not in use and do not charge it regularly, it will hamper the battery life. So, setting the checks of the e-scooter battery at regular intervals is essential to maintain battery activity.
Conclusion
Since electric scooters have modified your way of traveling through busy streets, you must understand that its battery is essential to keep it running. We have explained the factors that deteriorate the battery life of your e-scooter, like its usage frequency, working environment temperature ag, ing battery, etc. Keeping a note of these helps you extend the battery life of your e-scooter and avoid any hampering.
We also advise you to develop a habit of using your electric scooter in an efficient way to improve its endurance and performance. If you use the tips mentioned about battery maintenance, you can experience an extended battery life.
