How to store an e-bike battery over winter

Step by step: putting the battery away

Follow these steps when you know the bike will not be used for a few weeks or more.

1. 1

   Switch the system off and remove the battery from the bike, if it is removable.

2. 2

   Wipe the casing and contacts with a dry cloth; do not use a hose or pressure washer.

3. 3

   Check for swelling, cracks or damage. Do not store a damaged battery; take it to a specialist.

4. 4

   Charge or discharge it to the storage level your manual suggests, often around 40 to 70%.

5. 5

   Store it indoors in a cool, dry place away from direct heat, sunlight and damp.

6. 6

   Put a reminder in your calendar to check the charge level every month or two.

The right charge level

A lithium-ion battery kept at 100% for months ages faster than one kept part-charged. A battery left completely flat is at risk too: it slowly self-discharges, and if it drops too low the BMS may lock it out, so it will not charge again without a specialist.

That is why a middle state of charge is the usual advice. On a display with five bars, two or three bars is a sensible target. If your battery has its own level indicator, use that.

Temperature and where to keep it

Room temperature is ideal, and a cool room is better than a warm one. Avoid places that freeze, such as an unheated shed in a cold snap, and avoid places that get hot, such as next to a radiator, boiler or in a sunny conservatory.

Fire services advise against storing or charging e-bike batteries in hallways or on escape routes, because a battery fire there could block your way out. A spare room or a dry, frost-free garage away from the house exit is often a better choice. Keep it on a hard surface, away from anything that burns easily, and somewhere covered by a working smoke alarm.

Note:Lithium battery safety: charge only with the charger supplied for your battery, do not leave it charging unattended or overnight while you sleep, charge away from escape routes such as hallways, and stop using any battery that is swollen, cracked, leaking, very hot or smells odd. See the London Fire Brigade guidance on lithium batteries.

Monthly check and top-up

Batteries lose a little charge while stored. Check every month or two. If it has dropped noticeably, give it a short charge back to the storage level and stay nearby while it charges. You do not need to cycle it fully.

When spring comes, bring the battery to room temperature, charge it fully the day before your first ride and check that the bike powers on normally. If it will not charge, see our guide to an e-bike battery not charging.

Riding in winter instead

If you keep riding through winter, store the battery indoors between rides and charge it once it has warmed up. Expect less range on cold days; that is normal and recovers when the weather warms. Our range guide explains why.

If your battery is already losing range after years of use, the replacement battery guide covers what to match when you replace it.

Frequently asked questions

Can I leave my e-bike battery on the charger all winter? No. Leaving it charging for long periods keeps it at 100% and means it is on charge unattended. Charge it to storage level, unplug it and check it periodically.

Can I store the battery on the bike? If the battery is fixed in the frame, keep the bike indoors somewhere cool and dry, switched off, at storage charge. If it is removable, take it off.

Is a garage OK for storing an e-bike battery? A dry garage that stays above freezing can be fine, ideally away from the door into the house. Avoid damp, freezing or very hot spaces.

How long can an e-bike battery be stored? Several months, as long as it is at storage charge and checked and topped up every month or two.