How to store an electric scooter in Winter
Learn how to store your electric scooter in winter so it lasts longer and is ready to ride when the weather warms up. Read our tips on what to do to prepare your scooter for winter storage, including charging the battery and storing it in a dry, protected place.
We’re going to show you how to properly store an electric scooter in this post. After several months of not riding an electric scooter, or after the winter, people complain about poor riding experiences. Many people are unaware of what they should do when they store their electric scooters.
There will come a time when you’ll have to store your electric scooter. If you plan to use it again, you must properly store it so it will continue to function.
Scooters are easy to store, but they are not a completely passive task, since you don’t leave them there and forget about them. By following this checklist, you will be able to store your scooter safely.
How to store an electric scooter in Winter- complete checklist
- Find a dry room at room temperature, warm temperatures is one way of optimize your e-scooter battery.
You should charge the battery at least once every month to a level of about 60%
Cleaning your scooter will help keep it from rusting because water can corrode it
You can turn it off
You can fold it
It can both be locked using its mechanism and with external security measures
Put it in its box, along with any protective cover it might have come with
You should protect it by putting it inside a waterproof cover
It should be checked regularly, to make sure everything is still there and functioning properly.
Where to store your electric scooter
No technical knowledge is required. The process is straightforward. It requires no complicated steps. Having the right knowledge is essential if you’re planning to store your electric scooter properly!
For storing your electric scooter, a shed without heating isn’t the best solution
I will give you some practical tips to store your electric scooter.
Please stay with me!
When you have completed everything from the beginning of this post, you are ready to close the case. The places you should avoid are equally important. You shouldn’t keep your scooter outside.
Also, here are some examples to avoid:
Moisture-filled basements
An unheated shed
Areas adjacent to heat sources
- Areas with extreme temperatures
In flood-prone areas
There is no point in letting your electric scooter near these places if you can avoid it.
You have to avoid those areas if you don’t want your battery and the other components to suffer.
Let’s check out where you can store your electric scooter!
THE BEST PLACES for storing your electric scooters are:
- Areas around 10 degrees Celsius (50 Fahrenheit)
The area must be dry (without any moisture at all)
Areas that are clean (free of dirt and dust)
Identify at least one or two places in your home that meet these criteria – that’s great. There will be no problem storing your electric scooter.
Scooters are sometimes hung on walls using hooks. On Amazon or other places where most people shop for everyday items, you can find electric scooter wall holders. The Xiaomi scooter wall bracket is a popular choice.
Having my favorite scooter on my wall is not only practical but looks cool as well. I’m sure anyone who loves electric scooters would appreciate that.
Warm sheds, or an attic free of dust, or perhaps an isolated area in a heated workshop would do. That’s an excellent strategy, especially if you want to store Razor scooters. The chains on some of these are prone to rusting in the springtime.
Here are the best ways to store electric scooters.
While I am not familiar with your options, respect your electric scooter’s requirements. It is important to plan for the winter storage of your electric scooter. In this way, you will be able to keep your scooter in excellent condition for a long time.
Then, when the time for riding comes again, you can rely on your electric machine to be powerful and ready.
How to store your electric scooter during the winter
To, some it is very possible to ride an e-scooter during winter as we saw on our previous article. However, not everyone is able to do that. Those who cannot ride during winter time are worried about storing their scooters in a safe place.
Your scooter’s battery should be the number one priority.
Lithium-ion batteries are used in almost all electric scooters. If you keep your scooter in a low-temperature environment, make sure that it does not go below 0 degrees Celsius. Over time, batteries will suffer from damage caused by temperatures below freezing point.
You might consider removing the battery from your scooter and storing it separately if you cannot find a place big enough for the scooter.
In case your warranty is voided, you should avoid doing this.
In such a case, it should stay in your home. When it comes to winter storage, the battery is the most important aspect, and by doing this you are minimizing the risk of something going wrong.
Putting the battery in a specially designed bag will not only keep it safe from outside elements but will also protect the rest of your home from accidents involving the battery.
Prepare the wheels
During the summer, you need to avoid losing these caps on your nozzles.
To properly store an electric scooter, it’s necessary to adjust the wheels’ pressure. To keep the suspension in place, it needs to be deflated to half its manufacturer’s recommendations.
The wheels of the scooter can be left inflated to their maximum if the scooter will be stored standing on the floor. This use applies only to electric scooters with air-inflatable tires.
It is important to note that the optimum pressure is usually listed on the wheels. Neoline T25, for example, comes to 30 psi. You should lower the pressure to 15 psi if you plan on hanging it for the winter. Since inflating is another way of maintain an e-scooter, here are tips how to put air in a tire.
Take care of the battery
In terms of storing your scooter, the battery will be the most important component. You should make sure it is protected at all times.
You should also consider the charge level of your battery in addition to the temperature of the place where the battery is kept.
Batteries preserve most of their life when they are stored with a charge of 40%.
Even when you’re not using your battery, you shouldn’t let it completely discharge. The battery will be irreparably damaged if you let it discharge completely. That’s why you should store your electric scooter correctly. Be careful not to fully discharge the battery!
Furthermore, you shouldn’t store it fully charged. The battery will lose its lifespan and capacity more quickly when it is fully charged. Here is an e-scooter battery guide for all types of scooter.
What is the recommended charge?
Whenever your battery is stored, you should charge it up to 40% once per month. Keeping it at this level will ensure that it stays charged throughout the storage process.
When charging the battery, make sure that the room temperature is between 5 and 45 degrees Celsius (32 and 113 degrees Fahrenheit). Lithium-ion batteries are negatively affected by charging outside the temperature range. Technically, they could be charged at 0°C to 5°C, but the current would then have to be reduced.
Lithium-ion batteries will experience a phenomenon called plating if they are charged below 0 °C, causing irreversible damage that will increase their chances of failure.
Take your scooter into a room that’s at room temperature, and let it warm up for a few minutes (touch it and make sure it’s not too hot or too cold). You should only charge the battery after that.
As a final option, you can use the trickle charger, which slowly charges your battery so it is never depleted. Having never tried it, I can’t vouch for its safety or efficacy, but other people say that it works. Considering that your battery will get damaged when charged at temperatures below 0 °C, charging in a cold storage room is not an option.
Then, whenever the time comes, you and your electric friend can have lots of fun together.
Take care of your battery properly
There is more to it, unfortunately. If you are interested in learning how to store an electric scooter correctly, this will require some of your time.
Your electric scooter’s battery should be removed. Never leave the battery inside. If something is wrong with the battery or wires, you can check them before putting them to rest.
If you’re going to keep it for a long time, I’d suggest putting it in a bag. Besides preventing dirt from entering the battery, these bags will also prevent fires. Before you purchase one, make sure you pay attention to the dimensions!
As I mentioned above, the “set it and forget it” mentality was very helpful for me to not worry too much. The only thing you must do is take one action. We recommend recharging it once per month.
Battery maintenance is a very important part of your electric scooter, and you should handle it as responsibly as you can. Therefore, you’ll never have a dead battery when you need it most.
What to do with the battery
Lithium-ion rechargeable batteries are typically used in electric scooters, which must be stored with care. As a result, your scooter may travel shorter distances next season if your battery capacity decreases.
The scooter should be fully charged before storage, and the charge should be periodically monitored: turn it on every month and, if needed, charge it to the desired level.
The electric scooter battery should be stored at a temperature of between 25 and 0 degrees Celsius. If your scooter has a non-removable battery, it is best to store it at home or in a garage that is heated. You should also learn all possible ways to charge an e-scooter without a charger.
The Li-ion battery of the electric scooter will not be damaged if subjected to subzero temperatures for a short period. When a battery is left for an extended period, irreversible chemical changes begin to occur, and it will no longer hold a charge after a while.
The following are simple rules you can follow to prevent such problems:
Charge the electric scooter only when it’s warm, you cannot do it right after frost has occurred
If the battery is not removable (or if the scooter has a non-removable battery), the battery should be stored at room temperature
Be aware of the battery’s parameters, make sure that it does not completely discharge during storage
Furthermore, make sure that the room that is going to be used to store the electric scooter during the winter is dry and does not have wet closets. The scooter should also not be exposed to direct sunlight or fluctuating temperatures in the room. Cover the scooter with a protective material if possible.
How long will your battery last?
The number of cycles your battery has will tell you how much charging you should do.
Consider a battery that can be recharged 500 times. You will lose 80% of your battery’s capacity after 500 cycles of charging and discharging. Batteries are affected by a variety of factors. Here, we’ll make sure that your battery lasts as long as possible. In reality, you can do this in real life, too.
When charging the electric scooter battery, make sure only to use the original charger.
After that, you should charge it between 50% and 70%. DO NOT charge it up to 100%.
People think it is good for batteries, but the truth is that it is exactly the opposite. By doing that, you shorten the battery’s life cycle. A charge between 50%-70% makes for perfect storage voltage inside the battery, which is healthy for it.
This is how you should charge an electric scooter battery if you’re unsure how to do it. Despite what you may think, an electric scooter can be used without a battery. You can use it manually.
Your level of suffering depends on the weight of your scooter when you’re trying to leg-push it all the way.
Clean your scooter before storing it
The best way to keep your scooter clean is to clean it often. In addition to looking better, it is also likely to last longer.
Especially if it will be stored for a longer period, cleaning it thoroughly will reveal if any damage has occurred.
More importantly, you will prevent corrosion if you remove any dirt or water. The electronics of your scooter may be damaged or rust will develop if water or other corrosive agents get onto it or inside it.
In this case, having your scooter spotless before storing it is important. Before you park the scooter for a long period, we recommend wiping it down with a damp cloth. This will help to remove dirt and dust from the scooter.
The charging port cover needs to be closed to prevent moisture from entering.
You should not use any type of “Körcher” or similar high-pressure washer on the deck, as water will easily get inside and damage the componentry.
If you want to get the most out of this, you could put the scooter in the bathtub and wash the wheels and the interior of the fenders with the showerhead. After it has been cleaned, a hairdryer should immediately be used. Don’t start the scooter until it has been dried.
Set it up for storage
Let us summarize this:
Make sure your scooter is turned off
The scooter can be folded and locked in any way it can be locked
If you still have the original box, place the scooter in it and pack it with any protective materials that you may still have
Protect it from theft
You’re not much good if your scooter gets stolen after you keep it from breaking down.
Consider locking your scooter further with external locks after you have locked the ones included with it.
Scooter locks come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Among the most common locking methods are:
U-lock or D-lock – you could also use a bicycle lock if you plan to store the scooter outside of a box. Just place one wheel of the lock between a solid object and the bars of the lock.
- Heavy duty chain – same as above, make sure it is tight as possible
A cable lock can be used only if your scooter is not kept in its box, and a waterproof cover is recommended for scooters that are small and easy to transport
Disk locks prevent the scooter from moving by attaching to the brake discs. The thief cannot drive the scooter with this lock, but if it is a light scooter, it can still be easily carried away
A grip lock is only appropriate for scooters with brake levers. It prevents the thief from driving away with the scooter and disables the brake, but lighter scooters can still easily be taken away.
Alternatives to scooter locks
Your scooter might need more than one lock, or different types of locks if you keep it in a risky area.
Alternatively, you can purchase a scooter alarm. The sensors activate in case the scooter moves, or even if it is tilted, and you are even notified via an app on your smartphone. It’s very convenient.
You will be able to turn your scooter into a mini bank vault if you add two types of locks and an alarm. It’s important not to underestimate the resourcefulness and willpower of potential thieves, but with a reasonable budget, you have limited options. Invest in a lock and an alarm, and you’ll be safe.
Use a lubricant
Spray a silicone bicycle spray (for example, so) on the mechanical parts of the electric scooter after washing and drying.
The parts are as follows:
- axles (bearings) on wheels
- Mechanism for folding
- Fixed footrest system
- Seals, plugs, and all rubber connections
Additionally, the tires should be blackened with automobile blackener rubber, or with the same silicone grease that is used on bicycles. Microcracks will not form and rubber quality will be maintained.
It is important not to use thick liquids, grease, or the like as lubricants. This type of lubricant not only won’t penetrate hard-to-reach areas, but will also collect dirt, dust, and sand.
Additionally, WD-40 should not be used as a lubricant. The solvents used in this product are detrimental to the paint and accelerate the wear of metal parts.
Put it in a waterproof cover
You should protect your scooter even more by putting it in a waterproof cover after it’s in its box.
The number one enemy of your scooter during the winter months is moisture, which can often inundate basements, cellars, and garages. You can feel more at ease with one of these waterproof covers. There are, however, e-scooters whose IP rating makes them resistant to water.
There are many waterproofs covers available, which are not expensive, and they will cover your scooter completely, so you can keep it even if you live in a flooded basement. You can find some good options for inexpensive electric scooter covers presented in this guide.
Every once in a while, check the scooter
Check the battery of your scooter every month for starters, and then make sure the scooter is still there.
Make sure everything is still working properly by turning on and off your scooter.
In addition, if your tires are air-filled, you should also inspect them. Inflate the deflated one if it becomes deflated. You should turn them a little now and then for good maintenance.
How to take your electric scooter out of storage
The scooter should be taken out when the winter is over, or after you return from vacation.
Make sure the battery is fully charged. You should discharge it to a single-digit level the next time you charge it since it hasn’t been used in a long time. This is because you should treat it as if it is brand new.
Make sure everything is working properly before turning on the scooter. Most likely everything will work just fine if you’ve followed the instructions carefully.
Check these items off the list before riding your bike again:
Inflate tires if necessary
The power button, screen, controls
Check the scooter’s motor to make sure it is working and that it can run
Check the scooter’s throttle and acceleration
- All brakes should be bled one by one, as before
- if you have any lights, check that they are all working
Once they are all ready, hop on your scooter. You deserve an amazing ride after such a long time!
Storing Or Using Electric Scooters During Winter
It is necessary to avoid exposing the battery to water, humidity, sand, and salt (when roads are sanded) when using the scooter in winter. Throughout the day, make sure to clean your scooter with a soft, dry cloth. Low temperatures will cause your scooter to perform poorly, this is true even when you have best scooters for winter.
During winter, there are several things to keep in mind when storing or using scooters. Below is a list of guidelines to make sure your driving pleasure continues come spring. Battery-powered devices, like all other electronic devices, require some care during the cold weather.
- A clean and dry location is necessary when storing the scooter – the storage location should be dry and not too hot or too cold – a temperature between 15 and 25 °C is ideal
- During storage, it is important to have the scooter at 40% to 70% charge
- Charges for the scooter need to be done every three to four months at most.
- Devices with batteries must generally be kept away from flammable materials
The incorrect storage of the battery or a prolonged period of inactivity can cause a depth discharge that is irreparable. There is no warranty for this issue.
It is best to treat the scooter like a brand new one following the winter break. Ensure that all safety-relevant features are working properly (brakes, lights, folding mechanisms, etc.). You need to charge the battery completely and then let it run until it is empty. There may be cases where the charge state is not appropriately indicated – this will be resolved by this procedure.
Final Thoughts on How to store an electric scooter in Winter
The best way to store your electric scooter is to follow a specific procedure. Make sure you follow these instructions.
Additionally, if you follow all the steps and make sure you apply them, you’ll end up with a reliable and functional electric scooter. Learning as much as possible about your electric scooter’s battery is important.
The freedom and happiness that electric scooters provide are amazing. At the very least, we should take care of them when they need it most.
Share these tips about storing electric scooters with someone like us who loves them as much as we do.
References
Matt. (2021, July 28). How To Store Your Electric Scooter (9-Step Detailed Checklist To Prevent Damage And Theft). Retrieved from https://escooternerds.com/how-to-store-electric-scooter/#where-to-store-your-electric-scooter
Preparing Your Scooter for Winter Storage – EZ Bikes And Scooters, Exeter NH NH. (2017, October 26). Retrieved from https://ezbikesandscooters.com/preparing-your-scooter-for-winter-storage/