What are the tips for charging electric scooters?
- Allow the electric scooter to cool down
- Ensure your electric scooter and charger are dry
- Use only an original or manufacturer-approved charger
- Charge your electric scooter in a dry, cool environment
- Turn off your electric scooter when charging
- Plug the charger into the power outlet first
- Fully charge your electric scooter as much as possible
Electric scooters in the Philippines are rising in popularity as a convenient and cost-efficient alternative personal transport option. When it comes to electric scooters, the battery will always be one of the most important parts because it gives power to the vehicle’s electrical circuit. If maintained well and taken care of, an electric scooter’s battery lifespan can be prolonged. There are plenty of guides online regarding how to charge an electric scooter. However, these are often incomplete and lead to unoptimized charging, which could drain the battery faster. Here are a few tips for charging electric scooters properly to help maximize your unit.
Allow the electric scooter to cool down
Allowing the electric scooter to cool down is one of the most important charging tips. Why? An electric scooter heats when used and the battery capacity will be negatively impacted when it is charged while hot.
If you just went out for a ride, let your electric scooter cool down for at least 15 to 30 minutes before you plug the charger. Otherwise, you risk reducing your e-scooter battery lifespan.
Ensure your electric scooter and charger are dry
Many electric scooter models in the market today are designed with water-resistant features, which can also be referred to as an IP rating. However, very few of these e-scooter models are completely waterproof.
If you have ridden out in wet conditions (e.g. rain, mud, puddles) and even if your electric scooter has an IP rating, your electric scooter might still have some water that can accidentally end up in the battery case. This being said, ensure your electric scooter and charger are fully dry before you plug it into a power outlet. This way, you can maximize your electric scooter battery lifespan and avoid electrical or fire accidents.
Don’t use a hairdryer to dry off your electric scooter as this may push water inside the battery more. Instead, leave your electric scooter to dry off for at least 30 to 45 minutes. You can expect the water drops to evaporate after this period.
Use only an original or manufacturer-approved charger
If your electric scooter charger has brown down, it can be tempting to use a charge from another brand to save some money. But keep in mind that repairing your old e-scooter charger is always better than buying an off-brand charge.
Never use any charger for your electric scooter other than the original one. If you must, make sure that you triple-check if the charge is manufacturer-approved or has the same voltage as your original charger.
Off-brand chargers and chargers that are not the same voltage may not be compatible with your electric scooter’s battery chemistry. You don’t want to damage your battery as this can be more expensive.
Charge your electric scooter in a dry, cool environment
A dry and cool (room temperature) environment is the ideal place to charge an electric scooter.
Extreme temperatures, such as below 0°C / 32°F or higher than 45°C / 113°F should be avoided. Such low and high temperatures may not only cause permanent damage to an electric scooter’s battery and other parts but may also cause the battery to explode and cause accidents for people around.
In addition, never charge your electric scooter under direct sunlight, in a humid room, or in locations that are exposed to snow, rain, or liquids. These can also cause an explosion.
Turn off your electric scooter when charging
If your electric scooter indicates a low battery sign, go ahead and turn it off. After turning it off, you may start charging. Turning off your electric scooter when charging is a great practice. Charging your electric scooter while turned on will discharge the battery, therefore damaging it.
Plug the charger into the power outlet first
It’s always smart to check your electric scooter’s manual for guidance on charging procedures. But for most electric scooters, the rule of thumb is to always plug the charger into the power outlet first. Then, you can plug the charger into your electric scooter. Why? The reason for this is simple. If a short circuit or malfunction happens, only the electric scooter’s charge will be affected since it is the one connected to the outlet.
So, unless your manual says otherwise, plug the charger into the power outlet first before the electric scooter.
Most electric scooter chargers also have an indicator light to signify if it is charging. If the indicator does not light up, it can mean your charger is not working. Unplug the charger and check if it should be repaired or replaced.
Fully charge your electric scooter as much as possible
To get as many life cycles out of your electric scooter battery, always aim to get it fully charged. Avoid completely draining and overcharging your battery. Both of these can damage your battery. Check your e-scooter manual to know its ideal charging time (e.g. 4 hours, 6 hours).
Key Takeaway
In this article, we’ve listed some of the top tips for charging electric scooters. Following these tips can effectively prolong the lifespan of your e-scooter battery. For more electric scooter tips, you may check out our blogs at Simply Moving by clicking here. We also do reviews of the top electric scooters in the Philippines for adults, kids, commuters, and more!
