Hints for charging your electric scooter

Offering affordability, convenience and style, electric scooters have become a popular way to get around for many Canadians. Here are some helpful hints for charging your electric scooter and caring for its battery.

Every electric scooter is different, but all have some way of notifying you if the battery is running low. This is typically in the form of a red light or a flashing red light. When this occurs, it's imperative that you find an electrical outlet to charge the scooter immediately.

• Most electric powered scooters can travel anywhere from 40 to 70 kilometres on one charge. However, this varies depending on the battery type – for instance, 48-volt, 20 amp batteries go a bit farther than 48-volt, 14 amp ones.
• Keep track of how far you've travelled so you know when you will have to charge next and can plan accordingly.

Electric scooters have a port for plugging the charger directly into the battery.

• First, plug the charger into the wall outlet; then, plug the charger into the scooter's battery.
• Typically, the scooter's LED battery light will show red or flashing red when it is charging. It is vital to wait for the light to turn green, as partially charging the battery can damage it or affect its lifespan. A full charge takes anywhere from three to six or more hours.
• Don't let the battery charge for more than 10 to 15 hours, as this can also negatively impact the battery's lifespan.
• When unplugging, first unplug the charger from the scooter, then unplug from the wall.

Make sure the charger's voltage is appropriate for the scooter.

• Check the owner's manual of your electric scooter for specific info. A voltage that's too high can short out the scooter's battery.
• If you are keeping your electric scooter in storage, charge it at least one or two times per month as routine charging will help ensure the battery performs at its top level when you start using it regularly again.
• Charging the battery full each night is advised as well.
• If you have to replace a charger or battery, try to find the exact same model as the original. Batteries and chargers that are made to match each other last longer and perform better.

Charging an electric scooter is relatively simple. By taking care of your scooter's battery every day and following recommended charging procedures, you'll be able to benefit from its maximum lifespan.