Cold, rain, salted roads, darker evenings: winter is when electric scooters break down the most. After years spent repairing scooters, these are the points I would check on yours before the first cold snap. It takes about twenty minutes, and most of it needs no tools.
1. The battery: never charge it cold
This is the most important point, and the least known. Lithium-ion batteries don't like the cold:
- Don't charge it straight after a ride in the cold. Let the scooter come back to room temperature (about an hour indoors) before plugging in the charger. Charging a freezing battery wears it out prematurely.
- Keep it indoors, not in an unheated garage or on a balcony.
- Expect less range. In cold weather, losing 20 to 30% of your range is common. It isn't a fault: the range comes back when temperatures rise.
- If you don't ride over winter, store the battery about half charged (neither empty nor at 100%) and top it up every 4 to 6 weeks. A battery left empty for several months can go into protection mode and refuse to charge.
A charger that gets unusually hot, or whose light no longer turns green, should be replaced before it damages the battery: see our electric scooter chargers and our batteries and components.
2. Tyres: pressure and wear
- Cold weather lowers tyre pressure. Check it every two weeks. The right value is printed on the tyre sidewall or in your scooter's manual. An under-inflated tyre punctures more easily (pinched inner tube) and drains the battery faster.
- Check the wear. On wet roads, a bald tyre slips. If the grooves have almost disappeared, replace it before winter rather than after a fall.
- Punctures multiply in winter: gravel, debris and glass stay on the side of the road. Tired of punctures? Switch to puncture-proof tyres, or to a tubeless tyre with anti-puncture gel.
All sizes are in our tyres and inner tubes section. If your scooter has inner tubes, keeping a spare one at home will save you days off the road.
3. Brakes: wet roads are less forgiving
- On wet roads, braking distances get longer. Brake earlier and more gradually, especially on road markings and manhole covers.
- Check your brake pads. Pads that are already worn become dangerous in the rain. Here are the 4 signs of worn brake pads. You'll find replacement brake pads for most models in our shop.
- Keep an eye on the brake cables. Moisture makes them rust inside their housing: the lever becomes stiff or springs back badly. If so, replace the brake cable.
4. Water: the worst enemy of electronics
- Your scooter resists splashes, not immersion. Most models are only protected against splashing water. Avoid deep puddles and heavy downpours.
- Never use a pressure washer or a direct water jet: a damp cloth is enough.
- After a ride in the rain, wipe the scooter down and let it dry indoors before charging it.
- Check the charging port cover. This small rubber cap is often cracked or lost, and that is exactly where water gets to the battery.
An error code showing up after the rain? Our page on electric scooter error codes helps you identify the fault.
5. Road salt and corrosion
- De-icing salt attacks metal: folding mechanism, screws, wheel axles. After riding on salted roads, wipe the lower part of the scooter with a damp cloth, then dry it.
- A drop of lubricant on the folding mechanism protects it all winter. Careful: never put lubricant on the brake discs or pads.
- Tighten the screws of the folding mechanism and the stem: vibrations and moisture create play. Everything you need is in our tools and consumables.
6. See and be seen
It gets dark early and the weather is often grey. Check that the headlight and rear light work, and keep them on during the day in bad weather too. An extra LED light or reflective gear from our safety and prevention section makes a real difference for drivers.
Your pre-winter checklist
- Battery kept indoors and charged at room temperature
- Tyre pressure checked, wear inspected
- Brake pads and cables in good condition
- Charging port cover in place
- Folding mechanism cleaned, lubricated and tightened
- Front and rear lights working
Not sure about a part, or whether it fits your model? Write to us with the brand and model of your scooter, and we'll reply with the right reference.