Since we all know that electric scooters don’t make emissions, what do they run on? The answer is “batteries.”
A battery in e-scooters functions similarly to fuel tanks on engine vehicles. It contains all the energy consumed by the motor, headlights, controller, and other accessories of an e-scooter.
A few years ago, the only scooter with batteries was made available for kids. These scooters came with lead-acid batteries and weren’t as powerful as the e-scooters today. Moreover, they wouldn’t last long and were manufactured for recreational purposes only.
But today, electric scooters have become the fastest-growing segment of transportation. They are more powerful and used for share rides and personal commutes. These electric scooters are integrated with a battery pack made from individual cells.
The battery management system in electric scooters keeps them going and lets users operate them successfully. In this guide about electric scooter batteries, you will learn some critical information, including:
- Types of batteries
- Capacity ratings
Types of Batteries
Different batteries are available in the market, and not all are created equally. In addition, they come in different sizes, capacities, outputs, and ranges.
As far as e-scooter batteries are concerned, they determine how well scooters perform on the road and whether the scooter is reliable. As mentioned earlier, the batteries in an e-scooter are responsible for a lot of operations, including range and speed.
You need a powerful battery if you’d like your scooter to perform well. So, how can you determine which electric battery is optimal for your electric scooter?
There are three common types of batteries available,
- Lithium-Ion Batteries
- Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries
- Sealed Lead-Acid Batteries
Lithium-Ion Batteries
The most common type of battery that the manufacturers of electric scooters are currently using is a lithium-ion battery. It has taken the market by storm due to its efficiency and power.
The selling point of this battery is that it is available in various chemistries, all of which are more powerful than the next. In addition, these batteries can store far more energy than their weight compared to other batteries.
Moreover, lithium-ion batteries don’t require maintenance, are lightweight yet more powerful, and even last longer. Lithium-ion batteries are available in some of the following chemistries,
- Lithium Polymer (LiPo)
- Lithium manganese nickel (LiNiMnCoO2); also known as INR, NMC
- Lithium nickel cobalt oxide (LiCoO2); abbreviated as NCO
- Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2); widely known as ICR, LCO, Li-cobalt
- Lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4); available as IMR, LMO, Li-manganese
- Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4); aka IFR, LFP, Li-phosphate
These batteries are much safer, can last long, and have stellar capacity with a stable current output.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stores more energy because of high-density | Will last around 500-1000 charges |
| Don’t need a lot of maintenance | Can overheat quickly |
| Ensure excellent voltage for e-scooters | Pretty expensive |
| Lightweight yet carries more power |
Sealed Lead Acid Batteries
The oldest type of battery that is also used in cars is the sealed lead-acid battery. You may also find this battery in large electric vehicles such as gold carts and lawnmowers. Previously most electric scooters for kids used this battery as the power source.
Although lead-acid batteries are the cheapest power source for electric vehicles, they are not as efficient as lithium-ion batteries.
This is because they weigh much more and carry less energy per cell. In addition, these batteries have less power density and require much more maintenance, making them costlier in the long run.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable price point as compared to lithium-ion batteries | Heavier than most batteries |
| Excellent current capacity | Don’t carry much power |
| Can withstand tons of abuse | It takes time to recharge |
| Available in different sizes |
Nickel Metal Hydride Battery
The Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries, known as NiMH, are the hybrid version of electric scooter batteries. These are usually integrated into chargeable electronic devices and offer excellent energy capacity.
These batteries are similar to lithium batteries because they have a higher power density and carry commendable energy. The only drawback is that NiMH batteries take considerable time to recharge, and fast-charging cables can damage their integrity.
Also, they can overheat quickly, so these batteries are only preferred if a specific temperature can be maintained.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can store more energy | Lower voltage output |
| Can tolerate overheating | It takes much time to recharge |
| Safe to use | Require temperature maintenance |
Final Verdict
So, this is all that we can gather for electric scooter batteries. If necessary, you can always replace your e-scooter battery with another one. The most popular and efficient batteries are lithium batteries.
They are powerful, have high power density, and can last long. Not to mention, they don’t require regular maintenance. But it is up to your budget and requirement that will determine which battery you would go for.
