1. Timeliness of charging:
(1) Batteries are generally in a half-charged state when they leave the factory. When riding for the first time, it is best to let the battery discharge completely. Firstly, self-discharge will reduce the charge of the lithium-ion battery, and secondly, it can activate the active materials in it.
(2) Do not completely deplete the battery during each ride, as over-discharge is very harmful to lithium-ion batteries. Long-term over-discharge can reduce battery life by 3 times. At the very least, when the electric vehicle displays a low battery warning, stop riding immediately and recharge the lithium-ion battery.
2. Charging timeliness:
(1) Lithium-ion batteries are effective at any time, even if they still have 50% charge before charging. This is because they are different from nickel-metal hydride batteries, which have a memory effect while lithium-ion batteries do not.
(2) Never overcharge. Stop charging when the indicator light comes on after charging is complete.
3. Recharging to compensate for self-discharge:
If the battery is not used for a long time, it must be charged once every 60 to 90 days. This is because the optimal storage condition for lithium-ion batteries is half-charged (i.e., stored at 40% to 60% of the battery's nominal capacity). We know that the maximum voltage of a lithium-ion battery is 4.2V, so the storage voltage is best between 3.8V and 3.9V, at which point the capacity is basically half.
4. Original charging equipment:
Use the original lithium-ion battery charger whenever possible. Original chargers offer superior performance and a suitable charging rate. While there are fast charging stations available now, it's advisable to limit their use; using them once or twice a year is acceptable. Excessive current charging can also cause significant damage to the battery's internal structure.
5. Temperature environment during storage:
Polymer batteries have a relatively wide temperature range, from -20℃ to 45℃, but the optimal temperature is actually room temperature. From an aging perspective, temperature is likely a major factor causing the gradual decline in the capacity of lithium-ion batteries. For countries like my country with large regional temperature differences, the northern regions need to develop low-temperature resistant lithium-ion batteries, while the southern regions need to develop high-temperature resistant lithium-ion batteries.
6. Strictly follow the precautions in the instruction manual:
When not in use, lithium-ion batteries should be placed in a cool, ventilated place, protected from high temperatures and humidity. Avoid riding in the rain, and even if you do ride, take precautions to prevent water from entering the lithium-ion battery.
