by Jonathon Monk

Electric bicycles are becoming increasingly common in most countries worldwide, and here are some tips to extend the lithium battery life.

With more and more people choosing to take to two wheels, these bikes offer the perfect opportunity to enhance fitness while playing an important role in helping to reduce the carbon emissions generated by other forms of transport. These bikes are helping to persuade many non-cyclists to start pedaling. However, it is essential to understand that purchasing a new e-Bike or tool with a lithium battery is just the first step.

Extend the life of your Lithium battery

Once you have bought your e-bike or light, it is crucial that you take the necessary steps to ensure that it continues to run at its optimum level. Few aspects of an e-bike are more critical than its battery.

Enhanced technology has seen many electric bike manufacturers utilize the benefits of long-life lithium batteries. While these batteries offer a significant upgrade over their predecessors, specific guidelines are still essential to maximize the batteries’ lifespan and run time.

5 Lithium battery life tips

Below I have outlined several e-bike battery care tips that will help you along the way.
1. Owners Manual – Read and follow your bike’s accompanying manual and warning stickers. If you have any questions, call your bike dealer or the company directly and ask.

2. The Charger – Only use the charger supplied with your electric bike or light. Using a different charger can be very dangerous, possibly resulting in fire and/or explosion. So use the charger that came with the item you purchased.

3. Fully Charge – When you get a new e-battery, fully charge the battery per the instructions before you ride the bike.

4. Avoid Extreme Temperatures – Very hot or cold temperatures can negatively affect the battery’s performance and shorten its expected life. Avoid storing and charging your battery in a garage or shed that could be subject to really hot or cold temperatures. Instead, charge and store your battery in a moderate-temperature area. (Recommended storage temperatures are 32F – 77F. Avoid exposing the battery to extreme heat, 104F +, for long periods.

5. Storing a Lithium Battery – If you will not be riding your electric bike for an extended period, it is a good idea to store your lithium battery with a full charge. At the three-month point, check the state of charge and recharge to top it off if necessary.

Two more bonus tips!

6. Charging Location—When charging your bike or battery, do so in a dry location where a hot battery or charger (should there be a malfunction) will not cause a damaging fire.

7. Avoid Humidity—Store your bike, battery, and charger in a dry location. Water and humidity are unsuitable for electrical devices.