How to Store Your Electric Scooter, E-Bike or Electric Unicycle for Winter

If you’re putting your electric ride away for winter, give it a little attention first. A few simple steps can help protect the battery, prevent moisture-related problems and make getting back on the road easier in spring.

The essentials: store your ride clean and dry, choose a suitable location and check the battery throughout winter. The recommended battery charge level and maintenance intervals vary by model, so always follow the manufacturer’s manual.

1. Clean Your Ride Before Putting It Away

Don’t leave dust, mud and road salt sitting on your ride until spring. Use a soft brush and a slightly damp cloth to clean it, paying particular attention to areas under the mudguards and anywhere dirt collects. Do not use a pressure washer. Keep water away from the charging port, connections and electronics. Before cleaning, switch your ride off, disconnect the charger and close the charging port cover. Let everything dry completely before storage. For e-bikes, clean and lubricate the chain with a suitable product. Keep lubricants away from brake discs and pads.

2. Don’t Store the Battery Empty

Your battery needs attention even when you’re not riding. Leaving it at a very low charge for an extended period can lead to deep discharge, after which it may no longer charge normally.

What charge level should you aim for? There is no single percentage that suits every model. For example, Bosch recommends a 30–60% charge for long-term storage of its e-bike batteries, while the Segway E2 Plus II manual specifies at least 50%. Follow the instructions for your particular model.

Set a monthly reminder on your phone to check the battery level. This doesn’t mean you need to charge it every month: top it up according to its charge level and the manufacturer’s instructions. If the manual requires more frequent checks, follow that schedule.

3. Choose a Dry Location with a Stable Temperature

A damp shed or a balcony exposed to freezing temperatures isn’t a good default choice. Choose a dry indoor space where the temperature stays reasonably stable. Keep the battery away from radiators and direct sunlight.

Store it at 10–20°C in a dry environment. Check your own model’s manual for its permitted temperature range. A temperature the battery can tolerate is not necessarily ideal for long-term storage: the minimum temperature listed in the manual may not be the best choice for several months.

If the battery is designed to be removed by the user, remove and store it separately according to the instructions. Don’t dismantle your ride to remove a built-in battery.

4. Let a Cold Battery Warm Up Before Charging

Just brought your ride indoors from the cold? Don’t plug the charger in straight away.

Before charging, the battery must reach the manufacturer’s permitted charging temperature, and both your ride and its charging port must be dry. Condensation can form when a cold device is brought into a warm room. There is no fixed waiting time that suits every model: a large battery takes longer to warm up than the surface of its casing.

Use a manufacturer-approved charger. Never leave your ride charging unattended or connected to the charger throughout winter.

5. Check the Tyres and Any Issues from the Riding Season

If your ride has pneumatic tyres, check their pressure before storage and periodically throughout winter. Refer to your model’s manual for the correct pressure: electric scooters, e-bikes and electric unicycles don’t all use the same setting.

Have the brakes become less effective? Is there play in the handlebars? Does a tyre keep losing air, or have you noticed a new creaking sound?

These problems won’t fix themselves over winter. Make a note of anything you’ve noticed and arrange the necessary maintenance before the next riding season. That way, the first warm day won’t be spent figuring out why your ride isn’t ready.

Before Your First Spring Ride

Check the tyre pressure, brakes, fasteners and lights. Charge the battery according to the manual, then take a short test ride in a quiet, safe location. If you notice an unusual sound, an error message or unexpected behaviour, have your ride checked before heading out on a longer trip.

Is Your Ride Ready for Winter Storage?

If you’re unsure where to start or what’s causing that unusual noise, email the Voltride service team at [email protected]. Include your model and describe what you’ve noticed – we’ll help you figure out what needs attention.

Don’t have a suitable place to store your ride over winter? Bring your electric scooter, e-bike or electric unicycle to Voltride for winter storage. Book your winter storage here.

Get your ride ready before winter so you can enjoy it again in spring!