Electric Bike Battery
The battery is one of the most important parts of an electric bike. Your bike's electric motor is 100% reliant on your battery's power and health. The following information explains how to care for, handle and safely manage your electric bike battery.
Safety Precautions
Incorrect use of the battery pack may result in an excessive rise in temperature, fire and/or explosion leading to serious personal injury. Please read the following before use.
- Charge battery fully prior to initial use
- Charge the battery pack at an ambient temperature between 10°C and 30°C, and use between 0°C and 40°C
- Detach the battery when not in use — a small amount of power continues to draw while attached, which can over-discharge the battery, shortening its life or causing failure and voiding your warranty
- Always store the battery in a cool, dry place
- Fully charge the battery before storage and recharge every 3 months — failure to maintain charge could damage the battery and void your warranty
- If battery duration or range is extremely short after recharging, or it becomes impossible to recharge, the battery has reached the end of its service life and should be replaced
- Remove the battery from the charger once fully charged — leaving it on charge for long periods can damage it and void your warranty
- If you have any concerns about your battery, do not use it and seek expert assistance
- Always dispose of used batteries at an approved recycling location — never in general household waste
Battery Pack Care
- Always keep your battery locked or in a secure location
- Do not heat or incinerate the battery
- Do not attempt to reconstruct, disassemble, deform or short-circuit the battery
- Do not touch the terminals with metal objects such as jewellery, keys, coins or hairpins
- Do not leave the battery in direct sun, near heating equipment, or in a closed car on a summer day
- Do not let the battery become wet or immersed in water
- Do not drop the battery or subject it to strong shocks or impacts
- Do not allow sand, dust, water or other substances to contact the battery's terminals
- Do not charge with an unauthorised battery charger
- Do not leave or store your battery below 40% state of charge
Battery Types & Range
There are different types of bike batteries, with power and quality varying by the battery purchased. Riding range and battery life vary depending on the power demands of your bike.
How far can you ride with a full battery? Range depends on the power rating of the battery, support position, and cyclist weight. Environment and wind also influence range — a flat, even surface always provides increased range over hilly or uneven terrain.
What is the life expectancy of my battery? Lithium batteries are very reliable, and battery life is expressed in charge/discharge cycles — about 500 complete cycles is normal for most lithium bike batteries. Poor maintenance and handling will greatly impact battery life regardless of age.
To maximise range: fully charge before departure, keep tyres inflated to reduce resistance, use the right gear to provide optimum energy yourself, and carry your charger on long rides to recharge during breaks.
Motorcycle Battery
Motorcycle batteries (including AGM and Gel types) work differently to e-bike lithium batteries and need their own care routine to stay reliable and reach their full lifespan.
Safety Precautions
Incorrect handling of a motorcycle battery can cause acid leaks, short circuits, or in rare cases fire or explosion. Please read the following before use.
- Always wear eye protection and gloves when handling or charging a battery
- Charge in a well-ventilated area, away from open flames or sparks
- Use a charger designed for motorcycle batteries — car battery chargers can overcharge and damage a motorcycle battery
- Never connect the battery terminals in reverse — this can cause permanent damage or a short circuit
- If the battery casing is cracked, swollen, or leaking, do not use it — dispose of it safely and replace it
Battery Care
- Keep terminals clean and free of corrosion — a light coat of petroleum jelly or terminal grease helps prevent buildup
- Ensure the battery is mounted securely — vibration and movement can shorten battery life and damage internal plates
- Check terminal connections are tight; loose connections can cause poor starting and premature battery failure
- If the bike won't be ridden for more than 2–4 weeks, use a smart/trickle charger (or battery maintainer) to keep the battery topped up — a flat battery left standing will sulphate and lose capacity permanently
- Avoid deep discharging the battery (e.g. leaving lights on) — this significantly shortens battery life
- Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures if removing the battery for winter/off-season storage
- For batteries with removable caps, check electrolyte levels periodically and top up with distilled water only (never tap water or acid) if levels are low
What Affects Battery Life?
Most motorcycle batteries last 2–4 years with proper care. Extreme heat, vibration, deep discharging, infrequent riding, and leaving the battery uncharged for long periods are the most common causes of early failure.
Signs Your Battery Needs Replacing
- Slow or weak cranking when starting
- Dash lights or headlight dimming at idle
- Battery not holding charge overnight
- Swelling, corrosion, or a rotten egg smell (sulphur) from the battery