How Long Does a Scooter Battery Charge Last?

Scooters have been successfully used as an alternative means of transportation for decades now, making them extremely useful for people with low mobility, children, and adults alike. There are numerous types of scooters from Globber and other brands that serve different purposes so that it’s hard to put them in just one category.

However, one thing is for sure – if you properly look after them you won’t have to replace them too often and they will bring you to your destination fast and safe. If you want to find out more about these electric vehicles and how to make them last longer, make sure to continue reading.

What are the most common types of scooters?

Scooters come in all shapes, sizes, forms, and top speeds and they serve a variety of purposes, depending on the age category they are intended for. Motorized scooters are probably the most popular choices for elders and people with low mobility problems because they help them reach their destination easily.

Regular or electric scooters also exist for children and they come with hundreds of cool features, depending on the age of your child. They represent cool ways to spend spare time and even travel for small distances in a fast and fashionable way.

Depending on the brand, model, and its main utility, electric scooters allow you to travel at speeds of about 10-12 mph, which makes them convenient vehicles, especially in high-traffic areas.

What are the most common types of batteries found in scooters?

There are two main types of batteries used in scooters, especially when we’re talking about mobility ones – gel cell batteries, and lead-acid ones. As a general rule, lead-acid batteries have a shorter lifespan than the gel cell ones but they are less expensive, which makes them the primary choice for manufacturers.

Gel cell batteries represent a better choice for heavy users and, even though they are more expensive to buy, they have a longer recharging cycle, meaning they will last you longer in the future. These gel batteries are also easy to handle and look after, as opposed to some lead-acid ones.

How long does a scooter battery charge last?

A typical scooter battery usually offers between 300 and 400 charging and discharging battery cycles, which makes them roughly functional for up to three years. Once they reach their maximum number of recharging cycles, the batteries will have to be replaced in order to keep your vehicle moving.

The exact number of autonomy minutes you get per each battery charge varies massively depending on the type of scooter you operate, the power of the battery, and the speed at which you usually travel.

On average, with one single charge, you might get anywhere between 30 and 45 minutes of riding your scooter. However, as the battery starts wearing down, the autonomy decreases, so that you won’t get more than 15-20 minutes in total after a while.

What are the main causes of battery death?

Besides the natural wearing down of the battery, there is a series of other practices that might negatively impact your scooter battery and make it die faster. Here are some of these most common practices and how to fix them.

Overcharging scooter batteries

Whether we’re talking about mobility scooters, electric scooter or those mainly intended for children and toddlers, overcharging the battery is quite common. Although most modern vehicles come with secure chargers that avoid overcharging, this can still occur in the beginning.

Therefore, you should carefully read the instructions of your vehicle before using it for the first time, and make sure you follow them closely. Some vehicles may require an initial battery charge of 12 hours before using them.

The reasons why overcharging usually happens include the fact that the charger has higher power than needed or that it is broken or severely worn. Replacing the original charger with a lower-quality one may also lead to charging failures and wear down the battery faster.

Undercharging

It is much more common to actually undercharge the battery of a scooter than overcharge it, although the effects are equally disastrous in the long term. Not allowing your battery a full charging cycle leads to failures. Some vehicles should be left charging for a little while even after a green light appears that usually indicates a full charge.

Using a cheap or faulty charger is another reason why your battery might die faster after a while. The same goes for people who don’t use their scooters on a regular basis and forget that the battery should still be charged and fully operational every day.

Keeping your scooter outside or in a cold environment can negatively impact the battery autonomy too and usually means you’ll have to replace the battery or the scooter altogether more often.

What can you do to prolong your battery life?

Although battery wear cannot be avoided, there are some practices that might slow down the process and help you enjoy your scooter’s normal autonomy for longer. If you are taking good care of the vehicle itself and its battery, chances are you won’t have to buy another one for at least a few years and even travel long distances with it.

The first thing you can do to make sure your battery lasts longer is to charge it after each ride, as we previously mentioned. Even if you don’t use all the battery on your scooter and feel like you may ride it for two days in a row with a single charge, don’t do this.

Properly charging the battery after each scooter use will allow you to maximize the service life, getting the most out of it. Leaving the battery partially charged for more than a few hours in a row can lead to oxidation which will drastically reduce your battery life.

If you don’t plan on using the vehicle in the wintertime, make sure you properly store it in a cool and dry place, away from high humidity or extreme temperatures. If you live in an area where winters are long and cold, you might want to store the scooter in a heated place or at least cover it with a blanket to preserve an optimum temperature.

When storing the electric vehicle for a few months, don’t forget to disconnect the battery from the scooter and charge it to 100% at least once a month to prevent oxidation and other faults. In time, you will notice that the battery won’t wear down too fast, meaning you will get to enjoy the same autonomy and travel for distances of up to 15-20 miles with a single charge.

Last but not least, keep in mind that extreme temperatures and exposure to improper conditions can affect the life of your scooter battery. Avoid storing your vehicle or the battery in cold or hot places or in direct sunlight. If you plan on keeping the scooter outside in the summertime, make sure it is always covered and kept away from dust, debris, wind, and direct sunlight.

Don’t forget that batteries are conductive items so they should always be stored on plastic or concrete surfaces to avoid discharging at a faster rate.

Conclusion

Battery charge autonomy differs from one vehicle and brand to another and can last anywhere from 10-15 minutes to 45-50 minutes. However, properly looking after the battery and learning how to correctly charge it each time can prolong its lifespan and help you enjoy the same autonomy when riding for a longer time.

Unfortunately, not all scooters come with replacement batteries so you may have to buy another vehicle every couple of years after the battery wears off.