Electric scooters are only as good, dependable, and powerful as the battery that powers their electric motor. There are a few distinct types of scooter batteries, and they each have advantages. Some are longer lasting than others, while others are more powerful. You must educate yourself on these different battery types and learn how to effectively use and care for a scooter battery.

You should be doing some things with your scooter’s batteries and others you should not be doing with them. Once you hear what these somethings are, you will realize that most of them are obvious and common sense, but if no one ever pointed these things out, you may never have even thought of them yourself. So, let’s get started on our journey of exploring scooter batteries by taking a quick look at all the different types of batteries there are to power your scooter:

Types of Scooter Batteries

Lead Acid

These are the oldest types of batteries still in use on electric scooters. They are a lot like your car’s battery, and they work by creating an electrical charge through a chemical reaction. It is a complicated chemical reaction that produces an electrical charge. Still, you should know that the main components in your lead acid battery are lead, separators, sulfuric acid, and water. The water and sulfuric acid solution create an electrolyte, which creates energy.

When the solid pieces of lead are separated by various materials and the liquid sulfuric acid reacts in the water, they split the water molecules from H₂O into Hydrogen molecules (H) and Dioxygen molecules (O_2-). Solid pieces of lead were initially separated by wood, now usually a fiberglass-like material that can absorb the electrolyte solution)

This process activated by charging the battery creates an electrical charge that creates the energy inside the battery to power your scooter’s electric motor later. Then, when you discharge the battery, you reverse the chemical reaction and combine the Hydrogen and the Dioxygen molecules by turning them back into the water. When this happens, the water mixes with the sulfuric acid in the battery, creating a solution that sits around some lead plates. The lead is not always a typical plate. Sometimes, other shapes of solid lead are designed to create the most surface area because that allows for more of the chemical reaction to occur at once and creates a higher energy output potential.

There are several types of Lead Acid Batteries. For example, there are sealed lead-acid batteries, open led acids, gelled electrolytes, and absorbed glass mats. Sealed lead-acid batteries are considered maintenance-free, and that was the motivation for creating them in the first place. They are safer than open lead-acid batteries because the caustic electrolyte solution cannot spill or leak out. You do not have to add more water all the time because the water evaporates and escapes into the air as the battery is recharged. The gaseous Hydrogen and Dioxygen molecules float away from the battery, meaning that you do not have to worry about the fumes that used to be given off while charging your batteries, which is better for you and better for the environment.

So, most scooter batteries that are lead-acid powered today are sealed versions, and most are either gelled electrolyte solution batteries or absorbed glass mats. These more complicated versions feature a gelled sulfuric acid and water solution that keeps the two together. The separators between the lead plates are now fiberglass-like materials that can absorb the gelled solution.

The current versions are advertised as maintenance-free, but in reality, they are best maintained by not discharging them all the way, and you also do not want to overcharge them either. Thankfully, today’s batteries come with a BMS, or Battery Management System, built into them. The BMS controls the flow of electricity in the battery, preventing overcharging or full discharging. What this does is it keeps the batteries in optimal condition for creating longer lifespans for them.

Storage is an area where these batteries often have problems. The sulfuric acid tends to crystalize over time when it is not actively splitting the water molecules, recombining them from gaseous Hydrogen and Dioxygen, and turning them back into the water. This process creates heat that keeps the sulfuric acid as a liquid. Still, when the process is not happening regularly, the sulfuric acid hardens and stabilizes into a crystalline structure that sinks to the bottom of the battery. You lose that much potential electrical output because you no longer have as many active agents inside the battery.

So, suppose you do happen to use a lead-acid battery. You must use it often and discharge the battery until it weakens quite a bit (no need to fully discharge as that creates wear on the battery that causes other issues in the long run). Fully recharge the battery once again directly after the discharge occurs while the battery is still warmed up.

Do not overcharge the battery because that can cause the gases to build up too much pressure and get released by the safety valve, which lessens the number of active agents available to create an electrical charge through this chemical reaction process.

The lead-acid battery is used less and less, mainly because the lithium-ion battery is replacing them:

• more efficient
• a much higher power-to-weight ratio
• a higher peak output level
• a longer-lasting discharge rate than these older lead-acid batteries.

Lithium-Ion

Lithium-ion (L-ion) batteries are a relatively modern technology spreading into everything. Initially designed, we needed lighter and smaller batteries that could still power our electronics, like our cell phones. Cell phones have been a huge motivator in creating new battery technology. The improvements to battery design can largely be accredited to these communication devices taking over the world. Everyone has a cell phone, which equals billions of batteries. The industry has become massive because of these, and society has become dependent on all the other portable electronics.

These Li-ion batteries are created with a lithium compound with certain properties that allow it to be permeated by lithium ions at the positive end of the battery. Usually, on the negative side, there is a material like graphite. The lithium ions move back and forth from the lithium compound to the graphite through an electrolyte solution as the battery charges and discharges. The movement of the ions creates electrical charge and discharge.

This battery construction differs from the lead-acid battery in many ways. Still, the most obvious is that instead of a solid metal form of lithium, they use lithium ionic compounds capable of being permeated by the lithium ions to and from these types of compounds and the graphite on the other side of the separator. Typically, the lithium ionic compound is on the positive side of the electrodes, and the graphite is on the negative. Then, while recharging, these designations reverse, and the flow of electricity reverses and converts back into potential energy.

They moved away from the solid metal electrode design with the Li-ion batteries because when the original models were created, they were dangerous because of the properties of lithium metal and its volatility when exposed to water and its tendency to corrode when exposed to oxygen. This meant that the first versions of Li-ion batteries tended to explode when exposed to extreme outside forces or punctured. The dangerous designs rapidly improved with the change away from solid lithium metal, and they became much more stable, even when hit or punctured. They are still a bit dangerous, and they have the potential for explosion when severely damaged or when severely overcharged. So, the BMS on Li-ion batteries are structured firmly to avoid these situations and not let the batteries overcharge even when they are left plugged in/charging for extended periods.

Many different types of lithium-ion batteries are variations of this original design, and each improves upon its predecessor. The second form of Li-ion batteries was a lithium cobalt oxide (LCO) battery that used that as its lithium ionic compound, which had safety issues and less-than-ideal power potential.

Then, after some experimentations, a new group of scientists came up with a new lithium battery compound ( nickel manganese cobalt: NMC) that outperformed the LCO in nearly every way. It was much more stable and had a higher electrical output plus faster electrical input (recharge) time. Now we have a range of compounds in Li-ion batteries, such as lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries, lithium-ion manganese oxide (LiMn₂O₄, Li₂MnO₃, or LMO) batteries, and lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide (LiNiMnCoO₂ or NMC) batteries.

Each has unique characteristics that make them great for different applications, such as scooter batteries. Some have longer-lasting discharge rates equal to extended traveling distances on your scooter, and some have higher peak output rates, which means they can push the scooter to faster speeds, but all of these are safer and more stable the LCO versions. So, they will not explode as easily and can take more of a beating than their predecessors.

This fact is essential to those who ride on less than ideal road or trail conditions and risks that seriously damage the battery pack on the bottom of the footplate on many electric scooters. Unfortunately, this is the only place to mount a battery pack on some models and scooters. Although the risk of puncture is higher, the durable design and construction of modern Li-ion batteries mean that instances of explosions or other dangerous situations are rare.

So, the modern Li-ion batteries are safer, more powerful, lighter, and more compact than the lead-acid battery types, perfect for powering your electric scooter. It will last for decades as long as you take care of it and regularly charge and discharge the battery’s electrical charge. They even have a longer shelf life. They can go long periods in between uses than their predecessors without losing potential energy due to corrosion, crystallization, or any other issues lead-acid batteries were known for. The only downside to L-ion batteries is that they cost more to produce due to the materials involved, which means they cost more for consumers to purchase. But with their long lifespans and improved power statistics in every aspect, they are the go-to choice for most scooter manufacturers nowadays. They are what comes stocked on most scooter models straight from the assembly line.

They are also greener energy since lead production led to huge amounts of toxic waste. Even though we have strict rules on the production and recycling of lead-acid batteries here in America, other countries are not as environmentally conscious and often have horrible manufacturing processes and practices, which has led to huge amounts of environmental poisoning over the decades that they have been so widely used, considering that we use a million tons of lead per year to produce batteries alone. It has been a welcome change to the lithium ionic polymers and compounds with graphite as the basis for today and the future batteries. Plus, because they are so much more powerful, even if their production were equally as damaging, we would need to produce anywhere from one-tenth to one-fiftieth of the amount of lithium we used to produce lead.

The environmental impact of Li-ion batteries versus Lead-acid batteries alone is enough to promote their use. Then, when you consider that they are vastly more powerful, more compact, and have incredibly long lifespans, you begin to see that the best choice for scooter batteries is all L-ion options. Variations of these are all beautiful choices to power your scooter.

 

 

 

 Tips for Caring for Scooter Batteries Properly:

What are the best battery brands for scooters?

For sealed lead-acid batteries, you cannot go wrong with Mighty Max and Power King for the reliability and life span of the battery. Some moped scooters require a lead-acid battery still, and lithium-ion batteries power only the newest mopeds. When they come equipped with Li-ion batteries, you will not need to worry about buying replacement batteries because they have been designed to last for years.

Suppose you cannot order a manufacturer-built battery pack from the original producer. You can opt for a Solaremobility battery pack, SmartScoot Li-ion batteries, or even a Samsung brand battery because they have gotten into the market with some models of L-ions.

How long does an electric scooter battery last?

Li-ion batteries have a shelf life of 3 years, meaning they can sit without being used on a shelf for up to 3 years, and you can still pull it out and have it work at 100% functionality. Still, Li-ion batteries often last 5 years or longer of actual use when appropriately treated. We will end with some tips on caring for your batteries, so read on to the end.

Lead-acid batteries do not last nearly as long and are more volatile in their ability to hold a charge. It is tough to say all the factors affecting how long a lead-acid battery will last. They can last as little as 6 months of regular or daily use, or they can last as long as 2-3 years of occasional use when appropriately treated and cared for very delicately (something few of us know how to or care to do).

How do you check an electric scooter battery?

Battery meters or electrical meter sensors are the only tangible way to check an electric scooter battery, no matter what type. They sell these at any home improvement or mechanics store, and they range anywhere from $50 up to $500 or more for the more professional electrician’s meters. Or you can take your scooter’s battery to an Auto Zone, Napa, or any Scooter shop, and they will hook up a meter to your battery for free and let you know its status. Just make sure you charge it up for the recommended time to reach full charge before bringing it in, so you know what it should be reading. That way, if it only reads half the power or less than it should, you know it is on its way out, or if it reads dead, you know it is not just discharged but is done for as a battery.

How can I make my electric scooter battery last longer?

There are a few keys to caring for a battery of any kind, and here are the most critical steps to take:

• You will always need to charge your battery after each use, even if you did not entirely run the battery out. Leaving a battery half charged can lead to corrosion of elements inside the battery, especially in lead-acid batteries and L-ions.
• Always let the battery cool down for at least an hour after using it before plugging it into a charger, which will ensure it does not overheat because this can damage a battery’s power potential or even cause catastrophic failure in some batteries, especially the more volatile L-ions. Although every year or even more often, they come out with safer versions of Li-ion batteries with added safety features to the battery’s general construction and BMS. So, this danger is dwindling with each updated version and is already an infrequent occurrence.
• The type of charger you use matters! But do not just try to find the strongest charger possible. Instead, look for one in the range the manufacturer suggests, as this will ensure the longest lifespan for your battery. Plus, you want a charger with a temperature sensor that will shut off if the battery reaches a certain temperature. Batteries heat up as they charge, and getting too hot can cause corrosion, crystallization, evaporation, release, or other issues that will shorten the life of any battery. This is why it is essential to use the exact correct battery charger that matches that specific battery type/power/rating and is one that the battery’s manufacturer suggests you use because it will work best with that battery’s Battery Management System (BMS). The two work together to charge your battery at peak performance levels, and it is essential to have compatible components in your charging system.
• You should always follow some guidelines when storing your scooter or battery for extended periods, like in the winter in frigid climates. First, you want to ensure the battery is fully charged before putting it up. This will ensure that it has less chance of experiencing inner corrosion, crystallization, or other issues caused by half-charged batteries. Second, you should recharge the battery about once a month to ensure it stays fully charged. The top-off charge should not take very long because the battery shouldn’t be self-discharging at a fast rate. Suppose it is, and you have half a charge or less after only one month. You may have a defective battery or one already experiencing inner corrosion or other issues, and it should probably be replaced when you bring the scooter back out of storage to be safe.
• Be careful of extreme environmental temperatures with your batteries. You should not use your scooter’s battery in extremely hot environments if you can help it. This is because exposing a battery to extreme outside temperatures is the same as overheating your battery and can cause all kinds of different damages, including catastrophic failure and even explosion. So, you should avoid using your electric scooter in temperatures more than 95-98 degrees Fahrenheit. Conversely, you should also not use your battery in frigid temperatures either. Cold is just as bad for your battery as overheating, and you should warm your battery inside the house until it reaches comfortable room temperature before either using or recharging. De-thawing your battery will ensure a longer life span and greater performance over the life of your battery. It should always be done when the temperature is freezing, at 32 degrees Fahrenheit or less. If you can help it, never store your battery somewhere where it can freeze for an extended period, including overnight, and do not store it in direct sunlight on a hot or warm day. Both conditions can cause severe damage to your battery and lower its total lifespan.
• Never leave a charging battery unattended and continually check on a charging battery at regular intervals. You need to be watching out for overheating if the charger’s temperature sensor stops working or there is an issue with the battery. You can avoid any damage by checking your battery and keeping an eye on the charging process. Never let your battery overcharge because this can be as damaging as leaving a battery halfway discharged or even more damaging in many cases. Just monitor your battery’s charging process from start to finish. Never leave a battery plugged in overnight to charge or any other time you are not physically checking on it at least every 30 minutes until it is fully charged. Immediately remove it from the charger once it reaches full charge. You will save yourself plenty of headaches. It will ensure your battery reaches its 500 or more cycles before any degradation occurs.

If you follow these simple steps, you will ensure long battery life and get the most use from your scooter’s battery. These rules go for any scooter battery. It doesn’t matter if it is lead-acid or lithium-ion. All of these steps will help protect not only the battery from experiencing damage but also your home and yourself from experiencing any damage. So, be safe and be smart.

You will have a long and enjoyable time with your scooter’s battery. Plus, you will save lots of money by doing all you can to help your scooter’s battery lasts as long as possible. They are all essential steps, and none is more important than another. As long as you follow all of these guidelines, you will have a long and happy time enjoying riding your electric scooter for the most time, go the furthest it will go, and at the fastest speeds possible. All of which are great ways to get the most enjoyment from your electric scooter

 

Conclusion

The electric scooter is a reliable and environmentally friendly vehicle, and it is said that the battery is its heart. So you should take care of the battery to make your electric scooter reliable.