How Long Does It Take to Charge a Scooter Battery
One of the most beautiful things about electric scooters is that they use rechargeable batteries instead of the combustible fuel that cars use. So, all you need to keep your commuter running is electricity and the appropriate charger. But then, one important question surrounding this convenience is “how long does it take to charge a scooter battery?”
The amount of time an electric scooter takes to charge depends mostly on the quality of the device and its battery. There are a few other determining factors, but they all boil down to how powerful the device is.
High-end scooters have strong batteries, powerful motors and engines, so it takes longer to boost them than it takes to boost low-end scooters.
In the following paragraphs, we will answer the question of how long it takes to charge a scooter battery. We will also highlight some of the factors that determine the time it takes to boost these power packs.
How Long Does It Take to Charge an E-scooter?
Ideally, some manufacturers highlight the charging time on the user manual. However, if you can’t find it, you can calculate how long it takes to rave up a scooter battery using some essential parameters including the energy capacity of the battery, the charging efficiency and the charger current.
Before we get to the formula for calculating the charging time, it is important to note that the type of battery also plays an important role. Most modern micromobility brands come with LIthium-ion power packs, while the older models are built with lead-acid batteries.
The charging time for an electric scooter can be estimated using the energy capacity of the battery, the charging efficiency, and the charger current. The type of battery also affects the charging time, with lithium-ion batteries having an average charging efficiency of 80-90% and lead-acid batteries having an efficiency of 50-95%.
To calculate charging time, use this formula:
Charging time = Energy capacity of the battery (Ah) (Charger current (A) x Charging efficiency (%))
What Is the Average Charging Time for E-scooters?
As earlier mentioned, the average time it takes to boost an electric scooter’s power pack depends on the kind of product. Some low-end brands could have an average charging time ranging from 1 to 3 hours. This is because they have small batteries, a low range, a low speed limit and are unable to climb hills.
The time it takes to fully power scooters from high-end brands, on the other hand, range from 4 to 10 hours. This is because they have a high battery life, a high range, a higher speed limit, and they can go uphill seamlessly.
A high-quality scooter brand like the Äike T takes 4 hours to charge if you use its original charger, but if you use the regular 100 W USB-C charger, it takes 8 hours to charge fully.
Can I Decrease the Charging Time of My Electric Scooter?
To reduce the charging time, use the original charger or a faster one with a higher current. Ideally, the higher the current, the lower the charging time.
Some brands come with a fast charging feature, which allows you to reduce the charging time of your scooter. However, this feature may reduce your electric scooter battery life eventually, so it’s best to use it only when it is highly necessary.
What Factors Affect the Charging Time?
The time it takes to power your commuter depends primarily on the factors mentioned in the equation given above. They include:
- Battery type
- Charger current
- Battery’s energy-storing capacity
Lithium-ion batteries boost faster than lead acid batteries. Furthermore, a battery with a high power storage capacity takes more time to power than the low capacity variants.
Apart from these factors, your battery’s condition also affects the charging time. If it’s old, weak, and worn out, it’ll take a longer time.
The temperature of the room also matters. The ideal temperature for charging your scooter battery is between 10 °C and 30 °C. Charging at extremely high or low temperatures may take more time, and could weaken the battery.
How Do I Charge My Electric Scooter Correctly?
The best way to boost your scooter’s power pack is by using the original charger. Each brand and model has an adapter specially programmed for it. Only this recommended accessory can give you the optimal charging efficiency.
Plug in the charger and turn on the switch, then allow the scooter to start boosting without operating it at the same time. Moreover, ensure that it reaches its peak power each time, and remove the adapter thereafter.
It is also necessary to allow your battery to become relatively low before you plug it in, but ensure not to let it drain completely.
Can a Scooter Battery Be Overcharged?
You can overcharge your micromobility device’s cell by leaving it to continue charging even when it has reached its full capacity. Doing this weakens the power pack and could cause it to swell up in the worst case, ultimately leading to damage. However, modern power packs are usually not being damaged when they are being charged overnight or for a few days.
Can I Prolong Battery Life of My Ride?
To prolong the lifespan of your power pack, you must do the following:
- Only use the recommended charger.
- Don’t leave it plugged when it fills up.
- Avoid contact with water or any other liquid.
- Don’t leave it exposed to direct sunlight.
- Avoid letting your power pack to drain completely before you plug it in.
- Buy an extra power-pack so you can alternate between them.
How Do I Know If My Scooter Battery Is Worn Out?
There are different signs to know if your device’s power pack has become weak. They include:
- Charging difficulty even when you used the recommended charger.
- Swelling at the sides of the power pack.
- Inability to reach full capacity even after charging for many hours.
- The power starts to run down more rapidly than usual.
Conclusion
People always ask “how long does it take to charge a scooter battery”, especially when they’re new to the micromobility world. Generally, the power capacity of the battery determines how long it takes for it to fill up, that’s why charging high-quality scooter brands takes between 6 and 8 hours.
Unlike many other high-end brands, it takes only 4 hours for the Äike T to become fully boosted. It is incredibly fast compared to other high-quality brands. It saves you a lot of time, and takes you on a long ride before you’d need to recharge again. And, you can charge with your USB-C laptop charger. Order yours here.