Ultimate Guide to Electric Scooter Batteries

Scooter Battery Guide

Your electric scooter feels excellent when you are speeding down the road (or off-road), feeling the wind. But the fuel is what makes it run smoothly so that you can enjoy it. An electric scooter’s battery is the fuel source, which holds the energy that gets used up by the lights, controller, motor, and other components.

In this article, we cover the essential aspects you need to know about electric scooter batteries. We explain to you the different types of electric scooter batteries, how you can maximize the life of a battery, and some of the best electric scooter batteries on the market. Toward the end of the article, we address some of the more common, critical questions that electric scooter riders ask.

Essential Things to Consider About Your Electric Scooter Battery

Before you make a big purchase in an electric scooter battery, you need to make sure you choose one that will fit well and perform optimally. You also never know when things will go wrong, so it would be smart for you to keep a replacement backup battery on hand in the event of an emergency.

An essential component for you to examine is the manufacturer and brand behind the scooter. You should research the most trustworthy companies with positive reputations. Be mindful of reading the different online reviews associated with the batteries. You will want to stay away from batteries that perform horribly since this is such a vital part of the electric scooter’s fuel.

The next aspect you should focus on is the type of battery you are dealing with. Each battery type gives you a tradeoff between longevity, safety, current output, and energy capacity. When you need to discover the proper amount of voltage your scooter will run on, the capacity, battery life per charge, and speed will give you pertinent information.

Weight is another crucial indicator of the type of battery you will decide on. Most batteries are massive and have a lot of energy output, but you can find models that will be lighter and will not limit your speed.

Different Types of Electric Scooter Batteries

Depending on the size and complexity of your electric scooter, most products contain some lithium-ion battery pack. These types of batteries are popular because of the amount of energy they can hold, as well as their length of life.

Within the battery, there is a battery management system, which is made of different electronics and cells. The primary function of the battery management system is to oversee the battery pack and regular both charging and discharging. The battery management system makes sure that the packs are operating between 2.5-4 volts, which increases the longevity of the lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-Ion

Because lithium-ion batteries have the most optimal amount of energy for their physical weight, they last the longest. As the scooter owner, you can recharge this type of battery many times over and keep the same amount of storage capacity. Lithium-ion batteries involve many chemistry combinations involving lithium, so here are a few quick examples below:

  • Li-manganese – Lithium manganese oxide
  • Li-aluminum – Lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide
  • Li-cobalt – Lithium cobalt oxide
  • Li-phosphate – Lithium iron phosphate

Depending on which one of these chemistries you have in your electric scooter, you will receive a different mixture of lifespan, energy capacity, safety, and efficiency of current output.

Lead-Acid Batteries

Lead-acid battery chemistries involve an older mixture, which usually gets used in larger electric vehicles like golf carts and some cars. Although Lead-acid batteries are cost-efficient, you are not getting the same energy density as a Lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries have an energy density 10-times higher than that of Lead-acid batteries.

You will often find these types of batteries in simpler electric scooters, like children’s scooter options from Razor.

Lithium Manganese (INR, NMC)

Lithium Manganese scooter batteries that use the INR chemistries are usually one of the safest combinations. These types of batteries provide you with an optimal formula for efficient output current and high energy capacity and density. Because of the lower resistance on the inside caused by manganese, you receive that high current output without experiencing hot temperatures.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Battery Life

Most Lithium-ion battery scooters can hold up to 300-500 charge cycles before the capacity starts to dwindle. Because of the advancement of battery management systems, you will not need to stress about conserving the battery. But there are some very effective strategies for getting the most out of your battery life.

First, avoid storing your scooter for long when it is 100% charged. If you keep the scooter stationary at its maximum voltage, it will shorten its life. Also, do not house the scooter when it is fully discharged. When Lithium-ion batteries fall below 2.5 volts, they begin to depreciate. Many manufacturers advise storing your scooter when it is between charge levels of 50 and 75%.

There are also certain environmental conditions that you should take note of when operating the battery. To preserve life even longer, prohibit battery use when it is colder than 32 degrees Fahrenheit and hotter than 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Electric scooter owners should also aim the charger at a lower C-rate, usually between 0.5 to 2A.

Top Electric Scooter Batteries

The electric scooter industry is very innovative, and there are many models that can fit within your budget and price range. Besides the aspect provided above, other key factors to consider are the performance of the battery and the maintenance required to keep it healthy. Below, we give you a starting point for some of the best electric scooter batteries and manufacturers on the market right now.

Razor Electric Scooter Battery

Razor is one of the more established electric scooter battery companies on the market. The standard Razor electric scooter battery is 12V with 5Ah capacity. The company’s batteries are usually lighter, but they offer proper protection with the harder plastic seal.

The battery lives of Razor products can range anywhere between 40-70 minutes. Razor’s E Prime Electric Scooter is on the lower end of 40 minutes with a maximum speed of 15 miles per hour. But its Power Core E90 Electric scooter can give you a battery lifespan upwards of 70 minutes. Although its maximum speed is 10 miles per hour, it is a very energy-efficient option for long-lasting playtime.

Mighty Max Battery

You can experience a maintenance-free and rechargeable battery with Mighty Max’s Battery Pride Mobility Jazzy select. This battery option can shield against damage for a long time because of its higher than average discharge rate. This battery is one of Mighty Max’s more massive models so that it can work on not only scooters but also portable tools and other consumer electronics.

Mighty Max Battery ML7-12

Because of the Absorbent Glass Mat technology capabilities, the Mighty Max Battery ML7-12 gives you a spill-proof option with an elevated discharge rate. This battery also has high performance in both hot and cold temperatures. This product serves an excellent replacement battery because of its lower weight of 4.5 pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions

When you invest in an electric scooter battery, it is a massive decision that deserves a lot of careful thought. Below are some frequently asked questions by electric scooter riders across the world.

What is the typical lifespan of an electric scooter battery?

Depending on the capacity and energy density, most electric scooter batteries have a lifespan of 2-4 years. This longevity is equivalent to anywhere between 3,000 and 5,000 miles. If you use your scooter more frequently or improperly than the average person, the lifespan will get cut shorter.

What is the maximum amount of times you can charge an electric scooter battery?

You can charge an electric scooter battery an unlimited amount of time. But there is a limit on how many charges it takes before it begins to lose its battery capacity. Usually, electric scooter batteries can withstand around 300-500 cycles of charging.

How should you store an electric scooter battery?

One of the ways you can get the most out of your electric scooter batteries is to store them properly. The best way to house the electric scooters, including the batteries, is to leave them in temperatures between 32 degrees and 114 degrees Fahrenheit. The battery charge level should also be around 75% if you are leaving them alone for a while.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many components to choosing the right battery for your electric charger. You need one that fits your budget and your style of the scooter. The decision-making process goes beyond just choosing a great product. You also need to make proper storing and charging choices consistently.

Electric scooters provide a cost-efficient, joyous activity for kids and adults of all ages. Because you can ride out a battery charge for the length of a typical play session, these will always be attractive products. But you want to ensure that it is a stress-free experience, which an efficient battery can provide you.

Brett Gordon
 

The engine behind editing at DigMyRide and the brains behind its build. During the day, Brett is a thirty-something dude from SoCal climbing the corporate ladder, but by night, he spends his time contributing to the online world of automotive tech & trends.