How to Charge an Electric Scooter Battery

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Updated March 31, 2023

Electric scooters do not need gasoline or petrol in order to function. Instead, the best modern scooters operate via a battery and a stored electric charge. Additionally, if you need an easily portable scooter, check out our list of the lightest electric scooters.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

  • Electric scooter batteries can be charged at traditional power outlets in the home or in a public area.
  • Try to never allow the battery to fully deplete or to reach a charge of 100 percent. Doing either can reduce the maximum capacity of the battery.
  • When not being used, store the battery in a cool and dry part of the home with a battery charge level of around 40 to 60 percent.

How to Charge an Electric Scooter Battery

Charging an electric scooter battery couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is simply plug it into the nearest power outlet. This can be done at home or out and about. The connector will automatically start the charging process. When it is done, a green light should appear, letting you know that your scooter battery is fully charged and ready to use. Check out our page on what do the lights on my scooter battery charger mean to learn more about these lights.

Many public locations have recently dispersed standard charging outlets for the purpose of charging electric scooters, electric bikes, and other personal transportation vehicles. And if you are the curious type, you can read our article on how electric scooters are made and get a better understanding of the components involved.

Insider Tip

Try not to allow the battery to fully deplete, as this can prematurely degrade the battery.

Increase Your Battery Life and Lifespan

Electric scooter batteries begin to degrade after 300 to 500 charging cycles. To maximize the battery life of lithium-ion batteries, use only the original charger provided with your scooter. Additionally, lithium-ion batteries may be damaged by extreme temperatures.

Here are more tips and guidelines to follow to make sure you fall on the latter end of that spectrum. And here are some tips to know about the safety concerns and risks to do with electric scooters.

Charge the Battery Correctly

You should take care to correctly charge the battery. Try not to allow the battery to fully deplete, as this can prematurely degrade the battery. We recommend plugging the scooter into a power outlet when around 10 to 20 percent of the charge remains. The indicator light will blink while the scooter is charging and turn to a solid color when fully charged. It’s important to monitor the battery output, as this will give you an indication of how much battery percentage is left.

On the other hand, you should also avoid fully charging the battery if possible. Keep the battery in that sweet spot of 10 to 90 percent charged. This way, you will avoid engaging in further charging cycles, which will increase the life of your battery. But battery type and battery damage can also cause problems.

FYI, regenerative braking systems can also help increase the battery life of a scooter.

Insider Tip

We recommend plugging the scooter into a power outlet when around 10 to 20 percent of the charge remains.

Store it in a Dry Place

You should store the scooter in a dry and cool place in between rides or during the winter months when it is not often being used. We recommend charging the battery once every 30 days while it is being stored and checking on the battery level. The ideal battery charge level to shoot for is around 40 to 60 percent. If you are storing the scooter and you fall below or rise above that metric, you may complete a charging cycle, which will decrease the lifespan of your battery.

You should also take battery storage into account, especially when deciding how much battery power you’ll need. Taking care of your battery, such as charging it regularly and avoiding temperature extremes, can help minimize charging issues and extend its battery lifespan. After taking a battery out of storage, make sure you know how to test an electric scooter battery before your next ride with it.

Remove the Charger From the Outlet

One common mistake most new scooter owners make is to leave the charger plugged into the power outlet after the scooter has been charged and removed. We advise that you pull the charger away from a power source as soon as the scooter is done charging. Otherwise, you could degrade some of the components embedded in the charger. The cathode could degrade, and the maximum capacity could be lessened.

Warning

We recommend charging the battery once every 30 days while it is being stored and checking on the battery level.

F.A.Q.

How much do electric scooter batteries cost?

The lithium battery packs that accompany electric scooters can be on the expensive side. Expect a replacement battery to cost around one-quarter to one-third of the price of the scooter itself.


How long does an electric scooter charge last?

This will vary depending on your scooter, your battery, and what kind of riding you have been doing. Generally speaking, an electric scooter charge will last anywhere from five to 40 miles.


How long does an electric scooter battery last?

A common electric scooter battery will begin to degrade after 300 to 500 charging cycles. It will still work, though the efficiency will begin to rapidly decrease.



STAT: You can prolong the battery life by operating it between 30% to 80% of its capacity. (source)

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