Maximizing the Life and Safety of Your Electric Bike's Lithium Battery
Electric bikes are becoming an increasingly popular mode of transportation. To ensure you're using and maintaining your electric bike's battery correctly, we've put together some key tips to help you get the most out of your battery while minimizing any risks.
Understanding the Media Hype
Recently, you've probably seen or heard of alarming news stories about lithium battery fires, sparking concerns about the safety of these batteries. While these reports grab attention, it’s important to put the facts into perspective: statistically, lithium batteries are far safer than many people realize. In fact, the failure rate of lithium-ion batteries is extremely low. The vast majority of fires and failures are the result of misuse, poor maintenance, or third-party modifications, not the batteries themselves.
Lithium-ion batteries, like those found in electric bikes, phones, and laptops, are designed with multiple safety features and when used correctly, they pose a very minimal risk. The rare cases of battery failures are often preventable, which is why it’s crucial to follow proper care and safety guidelines. The media tends to focus on the few incidents without always clarifying that misuse such as overcharging, exposure to water, or using non-genuine chargers is usually to blame.
When maintained according to manufacturer recommendations, lithium batteries are extremely reliable. Understanding this can ease your concerns and allow you to enjoy your electric bike confidently, knowing that it’s designed with your safety in mind.
Common Causes of Battery Fires
In the rare instances that lithium batteries fail, it’s usually due to one or more of the following factors:
- Non-Genuine Chargers: Using aftermarket or non-genuine chargers not designed for your bike can lead to malfunctions.
- Exposure to Elements: Water, extreme heat, or cold exposure can damage your battery. Water damage is a leading cause of failure in reported battery fires.
- Modifications: Aftermarket battery modifications for extra performance can lead to overheating and system failure, as the bike wasn’t built for these enhancements.
- DIY Customisations: Customizing a bike’s systems for increased power or range beyond manufacturer specs can strain the battery, causing unsafe conditions.
- Grey Brand Imports: Cheap, uncertified imported batteries often use low-quality components that lack proper manufacturing standards or waterproof protection.
- Overcharging: Leaving your battery plugged in after it’s fully charged or charging in direct sunlight can cause overheating.
- External Damage: Impact or damage to the battery or charger should be addressed immediately to prevent potential risks.
Best Practices for Lithium Battery Care
To keep your electric bike’s battery in top condition and ensure safe use, follow these key guidelines:
- Avoid fully discharging to empty: It’s best to charge your battery well before it runs completely out and avoid letting the battery fully drain regularly, as this can make it harder to recharge and could damage the battery over time. So in a summary it is best to do small partial charges and not full charges from empty.
- Unplug when fully charged: Once fully charged (charger light turns green), unplug the battery to avoid overcharging.
- Store in cool, dry places: Avoid charging or storing your battery in direct sunlight or hot areas.
- Keep the battery active: Charge your battery at least once a month during periods of inactivity to keep the cells healthy.
- Avoid excessive vibrations: Protect your battery from strong vibrations that could damage its housing or connections.
- Check contacts regularly: Inspect battery contacts for damage, burn marks, or any foreign objects.
- Charge on safe surfaces: Always charge your bike on a hard, non-flammable surface to prevent any risk of overheating.
- Keep batteries dry: Never allow your battery to get wet, as moisture can lead to short-circuits and internal damage.
- Use genuine chargers: Only use the manufacturer-approved charger—avoid using aftermarket or unbranded versions.
- Handle damage immediately: If your battery or charger sustains any damage, discontinue use immediately and have it inspected or safely disposed of.
- Safe disposal: Take old batteries to a recycling center or contact local waste management. Never throw lithium batteries in general trash.
Safety You Can Trust
At Ampd Bros, we only use top-quality, certified components in all of our products, ensuring you’re getting the safest and most reliable electric bikes available. With proper care and maintenance, your lithium battery will provide long-lasting performance, keeping your rides safe and enjoyable.
