Knowledge · Mar 07, 2022

6 Tips For E-Bike Battery Health

Our batteries deserve a round of applause! We can ride longer, go faster, and conquer hills without breaking a sweat thanks to them. You love your ebike if you love your battery.

As they provide so much for us, it only makes sense to return the favor by taking proper care of your bike and battery to maximize their lifespan.

1. Avoid Salt and Saltwater.

Salt is a great partner for caramel and countless other culinary delights, but less so for your battery life. Salt is highly corrosive and conducts electricity. As a result, we recommend against riding your ebike in areas where you may encounter salts, such as directly on the beach or on roads that have recently been de-iced.

However, if you do come across salt or saltwater, there are steps you can take to minimize any damage to your bike or battery.

Remove your battery, wipe the case and battery tray with a clean dry rag, and ensure the connections are dry and clean. After that, clean the bike frame and mechanical components with a clean rag dampened with fresh water and let them dry completely before reinstalling the battery. Avoid spraying water directly on electrical components such as your display or battery tray.

Maintenance, like lubricating your chain, is always necessary, but should be done more frequently when salt or saltwater may be present.

We know it's sometimes difficult to detect exposure, but you can usually tell when your bike has been exposed to salt or saltwater by the white, chalky residue that salt leaves behind.

2. Watch out for puddles!

Puddles can pose hidden dangers to your bike battery, even though your bike is designed to withstand the elements.

Let's say you're going out for your first ride after a snowy day. Ice may have melted, but when it turned to slush, it may have mixed with salt on the road and created a puddle of saltwater.

It is best not to risk it and to ride cautiously to avoid puddles or standing water. When riding in a group, keep a safe distance between bikes to avoid salt spray off tires, and avoid riding where cars might splash you.

You should also remember that puddles can hide larger obstacles that can be hazardous to you and your bike. Puddles are sneaky like that.

It should go without saying, but you should never submerge your bike or battery in water or other liquids. It can damage your electrical system or cause a hazard.

3. Keep it Cool, Not Cold.

Extreme temperatures don't excite many people, and your ebike is also in the camp that would rather keep cool.

Maintain normal battery operations by avoiding riding your bike at temperatures below minus 4°F. Keep the bike and battery together in a clean, dry, temperature-controlled environment between 50°F and 77°F when not in use.

When you have to store your bike in less than ideal conditions, you should remove the battery and bring it inside. Until it's time to ride again, keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, dirt, debris, high temperatures, and corrosive household items.

If you plan to put your battery away for more than two weeks, keep it at 75 percent charge and make sure it stays there every month. When it is fully charged or fully depleted while in storage, it could lose range or become unusable. A few days aren't anything to worry about, but after a while, it adds up.

4. Stick with the Battery and Charger that came with your bike.

Using the battery and charger that come with your ebike is one of the most important steps you can take to keep it running properly.

By switching it up and using third-party batteries or chargers, the battery could be charged too fast or lose capacity. Heat can cause serious, irreparable damage to your battery.

5. Unplug the Charger Once Your Battery is Fully Charged

Charging a battery from completely empty to completely full typically takes 3–7 hours.

When the battery is fully charged, the charger stops charging automatically. Even so, once the battery has been charged, we recommend that you disconnect it from the power source and charger as soon as possible. When you're not using your charger to recharge your battery, you should unplug it. Doing so will prevent your battery from overcharging.

Watch the red and green light indicators on the charger when you're charging up for a ride. As soon as you see both a red and a green light, remove the charger.

6. Travel Smart

On a road trip, who wouldn't want to bring their electric bike? Whenever you strap yours to a bike rack or place it in the back of a truck, remove the battery to protect it from the elements and to avoid the risk that it will fall off your bike. Additionally, bike racks have maximum weight limits, and removing the battery can save you up to 7.7 pounds.

Wipe the battery down with a dry piece of cloth and store it inside the vehicle. Just slide it back on when you're ready for a spin.

If it is raining, we don't recommend driving with your ebike on a hitch rack, as the electrical system may be damaged. If you must, cover your bike or do not drive it through the rain for an extended period of time. Parking the bike in a dry location will allow the bike systems to dry out before use.