Top Winter Tips for your eBike Battery

As eBikes are powered with lithium-ion batteries, they can be sensitive to the change of temperature as we head into the winter months. While the risk of permanent battery damage is low, unless faced with sub-zero temperatures, due to the unpredictable British weather we’ve put together a list of our top tips for getting the most out of your eBike battery this winter.
How can cold weather effect my eBike battery?
When the temperature drops outside, the chemical reactions inside your eBikes battery slows, which can impact the output of power, temporarily effecting your batteries range.
Charging can also be effected by cold weather, meaning it takes longer for your battery to charge, or in extreme temperatures, charging might not happen at all until your battery warms up.
When your battery is charged, cold weather can cause an increased rate of self-discharge, this means that the battery continues to lose charge even when not in use.
Prolonged exposure to cold temperatures can reduce the lifespan of your battery as it is forced to work harder, for a longer period of time. Putting your battery under strain.
How to care for your eBike battery in winter?
Taking care of your eBike battery in the winter is easy to do and does not necessarily require any extra equipment. Our top tips include;
1. Avoid letting your battery fully discharge
Deep discharging or letting your battery completely empty is not recommended, no matter the temperature outside – as it can reduce the life span of your battery. Keeping your battery at a minimum of 20% can help your battery last longer in cold conditions.
2. Store your bike indoors in cold temperatures
Keeping your eBike above 10°C can protect your battery against degradation over time. In the winter months it would be wise to keep it in an insulated shed, garage or hallway to protect it from the elements.
3. Ensure the battery is not too cold before charging
We advise charging your eBike indoors when it’s cold outside to prevent damage to the battery. If your bike has been exposed to cold temperatures outside, let your battery acclimatise to the temperature inside for about 30 minutes before charging.
4. Store with a partial charge
If you don’t plan to use your eBike over the winter months, don’t let it drain to 0% battery power before storing it. Cold weather can increase the rate that your battery discharges when not in use. We recommend ensuring your battery has at least 50% charge before storing it for a long period. Even if you’re not planning on using your eBike during the winter, you might want to check the battery level every couple of months and top it up if needed.
5. Insulate your battery in sub-zero temperatures
If you ride your eBike regularly in freezing temperatures we recommend insulating your battery to ensure it maintains a stable temperature despite the cold. There are a number of different battery covers on the market, the most effective and common are made from neoprene, but you can also use a foam or thermal wrap to insulate your battery.
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