The battery is the most expensive part of your e-scooter or e-bike, and it suffers the most in the Swiss winter if you store it incorrectly.
At a glance
- Store the lithium-ion battery dry at around 10 to 20 degrees, so in the apartment or heated basement, not on the balcony or in the garage.
- Best storage with about 40 to 60 percent charge, never full and never completely empty.
- Never charge the battery directly after a ride at subzero temperatures; let it warm up to room temperature first.
- Check briefly every one to two months and recharge if necessary, otherwise deep discharge threatens.
- Cold temporarily reduces range, that’s normal and not a defect; permanent damage only occurs through improper storage.
Contents
- Why doesn’t the battery like the cold?
- At what temperature should I best store the battery?
- How full should the battery be during storage?
- Where should I store the battery properly over winter?
- Can I still ride in winter?
- How do I get the maximum lifespan?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why doesn’t the battery like the cold?
Cold slows down the chemistry in the battery. Every e-scooter and e-bike has a lithium-ion battery, and it works best at normal room temperature. When it gets really cold, the chemical processes inside slow down, the battery delivers less power, and the range noticeably decreases.
Important to understand: This range loss at subzero temperatures is usually only temporary. When the battery warms up again, the performance returns. It does not suffer permanent damage from a cold ride, but from improper storage over weeks or charging in the frozen state. That’s exactly where you come in.
At what temperature should I best store the battery?
Best at about 10 to 20 degrees, so room climate. This is the range where a lithium-ion battery ages the least. Too hot is just as bad as too cold: heat over a longer time causes the cells to wear out faster, frost below freezing can permanently damage the cells, especially if you charge in this state.
| Temperature at the storage location | What this means for the battery |
|---|---|
| about 10 to 20 degrees | Ideal. The battery ages slowest here. |
| 0 to 10 degrees | Okay for a short time, but not ideal. Bring to room temperature before charging. |
| below 0 degrees (frost) | Avoid. Never charge when the battery is frozen, this damages the cells. |
| constantly above 30 degrees | Avoid. Heat noticeably accelerates wear. |
Practically, this means: bring it inside the apartment or into a heated room, take it out of the cold garage and off the balcony.
How full should the battery be during storage?
About half full, so around 40 to 60 percent. This is the most relaxed state for a lithium-ion battery over a longer period. Both extremes are unfavorable: constantly fully charged at 100 percent stresses the cells, and an empty battery can be deeply discharged, which can permanently damage it or make it completely unusable.
Here's how you do it specifically:
- Charge or ride to about 50 percent before the winter break.
- Do not store fully charged and leave it sitting.
- Never leave the battery completely empty during a break.
- Check briefly every one to two months: if the charge has dropped significantly, recharge briefly to about 50 percent.
This small routine check every few weeks is the most important point of all. A battery left unattended in the basement for months is the most common reason for a damaged battery after winter.
Where should I store the battery properly over winter?
Dry, at room temperature, and protected from direct sunlight. The ideal place is a normal apartment or a heated, dry basement room. Moisture is poison, so unheated garages, garden sheds, and balconies are out.
What to watch for in the storage location:
- Keep dry; no damp basements or outdoor storage.
- Do not store in direct sunlight or directly next to a heater.
- Keep away from hot or easily flammable items.
- Keep the contacts free; do not leave them loose next to metal parts like keys or tools, as this can cause a short circuit.
- If possible, remove the battery and store it separately in a warm place instead of parking the whole device in the cold.
Can I still ride in winter?
Yes, riding in winter is no problem; you just have to treat the battery warmly. The reduced range in cold is normal; just plan slightly shorter routes. What matters is what you do before and after the ride.
- Store the battery warm before the ride and only insert it shortly before, so you start with full range.
- Never charge immediately after a cold ride. Let the battery reach room temperature first, which often takes half an hour to an hour, then connect to the charger.
- On snow and wet surfaces, braking distance is longer and it is more slippery; ride more defensively and keep more distance.
- After the ride, dry the device so that no moisture gets on the battery or contacts.
If you want to know what is allowed on Swiss roads, you can find the rules summarized under which E-scooters and E-bikes are approved in Switzerland.
How do I get the maximum lifespan?
By avoiding extremes: extreme temperatures and the extreme states of 0 and 100 percent. A lithium-ion battery lasts longest when treated moderately. This applies not only in winter but all year round.
The most important habits at a glance:
- In everyday use, rarely charge fully or run completely empty; the range in between is the gentlest on the battery.
- Use the original charger whenever possible, as it is matched to the battery.
- Do not leave permanently on the charger; unplug after full charge.
- Keep battery and contacts clean and dry.
- For longer breaks, apply the 40-to-60-percent rule and routine check.
You can find our current models with their respective ranges in the overview eMobility by TWHEELS. For beginners: compact commuter scooters like the E-Scooter Pro and the E-Scooter Lite are suitable for everyday use, and on the e-bike side, the E-Bike City Classic for the city and the E-Mountainbike for off-road are popular.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the battery stay on the cold balcony overnight?
Better not. Frost can damage the cells, and charging a cold battery in the morning makes it worse. Bring the battery inside and store it warm.
How full should I store the battery over winter?
About half full, so around 40 to 60 percent. Not fully charged and definitely not empty, because an empty battery can be deeply discharged and damaged.
My e-scooter has much less range in winter; is the battery defective?
Most likely not. Reduced range in cold weather is normal and usually temporary. When the battery warms up again, the performance returns. If the range remains permanently low even when warm, it’s worth checking the battery.
Can I charge the battery when it’s ice cold?
No, that’s the most common care mistake. Let the battery warm up to room temperature after a cold ride before plugging it in. Charging when frozen can permanently damage the cells.
Do I really have to check the battery every few weeks in winter?
Yes, that’s the most important step. Check the charge level every one to two months and recharge to about 50 percent if needed. This prevents the battery from discharging deeply unnoticed.
Is it enough to keep the whole device warm, or does the battery have to come out?
If the battery is removable, store it separately in a warm place; this is the easiest and safest. If it cannot be removed, keep the entire device dry and at room temperature, not in the cold garage.
Conclusion
Battery care in winter is not rocket science; it’s three things: store warm and dry, store half full, never charge when frozen. Also, check briefly every one to two months. If you do this, you’ll have a battery in spring that runs just as well as in autumn, saving you the most expensive replacement hassle for an e-scooter or e-bike. The rest is handled by the technology itself.
