How to look after your e-bike battery

The battery is a third of the bike’s price. It is the most expensive part, the easiest to preserve, and the most often mistreated.

011. Never run it empty

Stop at 20 %, not at zero. A full discharge pushes cells into their stress zone and ages them faster. On long rides, keep 20 % for the way back.

032. Keep it cool

Never charge a battery that is still warm, and never leave one in a car boot in the sun. Ideally: charge indoors, between 15 and 25 °C.

053. Store winter at 60 %

If the bike sits unused for a month or more, charge it to 60 % and unplug it. A battery left at 100 % all summer can lose 15 % of its capacity.

Three rules are enough: never empty, never hot, never stuck at 100 % for no reason.

084. Small charges, often

Plugging in every evening beats one big weekly charge. Modern cells prefer partial cycles; the point is simply not to run on empty.

105. Clean the contacts

Once a season, a dry cloth on the battery terminals and the charger connector. Casablanca sand is fine, conductive and very patient.

126. Diagnose a battery that fades

If range drops more than 20 % in a year, have it checked before replacing it: cell balancing or a failing controller are often the real cause.