Lithium-ion batteries have a long lifespan but eventually lose their ability to charge. Proper lithium-ion battery maintenance will help you to extend the life of your electric bike battery.
Charging Tips for Ebike Batteries
Don’t Let your Battery Run All the Way Down
While some older batteries may get damaged if you charge them too often, lithium batteries function better if you keep them charged between 20-80%.
Don’t Worry about Leaving Your Battery Plugged In
There’s no harm in leaving your lithium battery plugged into its charger. Your battery won’t be damaged because the charger automatically adjusts to a trickle charge.
Keep Your Battery Away from Temperatures Above 25 °C
When lithium batteries get hot, they naturally start to lose power and become less efficient. Do your best to keep your battery away from heat sources, and never leave it in a hot area. This will prolong the battery life and keep your battery charged for longer.
Protect Your Battery from Extreme Cold
Your battery will function best at room temperature, which is between 20 to 24 °C. However, it’s okay to use and charge your battery at temperatures as low as 0 °C. Don’t leave your battery in an area where you know it’ll be exposed to extreme cold.
Put Your Battery in the Shade Rather than Direct Sunlight
Leaving your battery sitting in the sun will raise its temperature. This can overheat and harm the battery cells, which might shorten the lifespan.
How to properly store lithium ion batteries
Charge Your Battery to 50-80%% Before Putting it in Storage
Batteries gradually drain away their power over time. To prevent your lithium battery from dying, make sure it’s about 50-80% charged before you place it in storage. This minimizes the risk of your battery draining to 0% while it’s stored.
Remove the Battery from Your Bike Before you Store It
If you’re storing your bike, take the battery out first. Otherwise, the battery may drain faster.
Store Your Battery at a Cool Temperature Below 24 °C and above 5°C.
Heat can damage and drain lithium batteries, so pick a storage location that has a stable, cool temperature. Keep your battery inside your home in a cool room.
Check Your Battery Every 2-3 Months to Make Sure it’s hasn’t discharged below 20%.
While you can typically store batteries for up to 6 months without them dying, it’s best to check your battery every 2-3 months. Hook it up to a charger to make sure it’s still partially charged.
How to extend lithium-ion battery life
- Avoid full discharges: Don’t let the battery drain completely before recharging. Partial 20-80% discharges are better for the battery’s long-term health and will expand the battery’s lifespan.
- Don’t let your battery get too hot or cold: Heat is one of the biggest enemies of lithium-ion batteries. Avoid exposing the battery to high temperatures, such as leaving it in a hot car. The ideal storage temperature range is between 5-25°C.
- Use the right charger: Always use the original or recommended charger for your device. Using incompatible chargers can stress the battery and reduce its lifespan.
- Store the battery properly: If you’re not using the device for an extended period, store the battery at around 50% charge in a cool, dry place. Do not store it at 100% or 0% charge.
- Avoid frequent full charges: Try to avoid doing a complete 0-100% charge cycle every day. Instead, do partial charges when possible.
- Use battery saving modes: Enable battery saving modes on your devices to reduce power consumption and put less strain on the battery.
FAQs
What hortens the life of lithium batteries?
Environmental conditions are the key factor governing the life of lithium-ion batteries. The worst situation is keeping a fully charged battery at elevated temperatures. Battery packs do not die suddenly, but the runtime gradually shortens as the capacity fades.
Can you leave lithium batteries plugged in overnight?
It is generally safe to leave a lithium-ion battery on the charger overnight, as they are designed to be left plugged in. However, it is best to unplug and store your battery in a safe location when not in use.
How long do lithium batteries last on electric bikes?
The typical estimated life of a Lithium-Ion battery is around 500-1000 charge cycles. One charge cycle is a period of use from fully charged, to fully discharged, and fully recharged again.
How do I keep my lithium-ion battery healthy?
Avoid temperature extremes, both high and low, when using or storing lithium-ion batteries. Elevated temperatures can accelerate the degradation of almost every battery component.
Minimize the amount of time the battery spends at either full charge or zero charge. Both extremes can stress batteries. It is best not to discharge your battery below 20%. Consider using a partial charge that restores the battery to 80% instead of 100%
What is the ideal temperature for storing lithium-ion batteries?
In the ideal world, lithium-ion batteries should be stored in cool, dry conditions at a temperature of 15°C. The generally accepted temperature range for storing lithium-ion cells is between 5°C and 20°C
How do I know if my lithium-ion battery needs to be replaced?
If you need to charge your battery more frequently, or if it seems to lose its charge quickly even when not in use, it might be time for a replacement. As batteries age, their internal resistance increases, which causes them to discharge faster. A common threshold is when the battery reaches 70% of its original capacity.
Another sign of an aging lithium-ion battery is difficulty holding a charge. This means the battery may seem fully charged but will drain quickly during use.
If your lithium-ion battery is constantly overheating, it could be a sign of internal damage and the need for replacement. As batteries age, their internal resistance increases, causing them to work harder and generate more heat. If you notice your battery is getting excessively hot during use or charging, it may be time for a replacement.
What are the Trends for Liuthium-Ion Batteries in 2025?
One piece of great news is that in 2024, the price of lithium-ion batteries declined by up to 20% compared to 2022, falling to a record low of $USD115/kilowatt-hour. This is largely due to cell manufacturing over-capacity, combined with a slowdown in electric vehicle sales. Analysts predict that several trends will further reduce prices over the next decade.
