Battery care and maintenance

First charge

To begin with, a full charge is recommended, since the battery is delivered partially charged. The battery has full capacity right from the start and does not need to be fully charged several times.

Tips for optimal charging

The service life of lithium-ion batteries depends on many different factors, such as charging cycles and storage. Even when you're not using your eBike battery, it will gradually lose capacity.

• Be sure to charge your battery with the original Bosch charger.
• Only charge your battery in a dry area that's fitted with a working smoke detector.
• If possible, charge the battery at room temperature.
• After charging, disconnect the battery and charger from the power supply.
• Avoid regularly draining the battery down to zero.

The battery can be charged in any charge state. Interrupting the charging process will not harm the battery.

Heat

Make sure to park the eBike in the shade or in a cool room. The eBike battery can be damaged at high temperatures, which is why excessive heating and direct sunlight should be avoided. The intelligent Bosch battery management system protects the battery from excessive operating temperatures and ensures safe operation.

Using the battery in winter

During winter use (particularly below 0°C) we recommend charging and storing the battery at room temperature before inserting the battery in the eBike immediately before riding it.

Storing the battery in winter

For longer storage we recommend:

• Store the battery at a charge status of 30-60%.
• Store the battery at room temperature, in a dry room.
• Do not store the battery in the vicinity of combustible or flammable materials.
• Store the battery in a room with a smoke detector installed.

Service life

The service life of the battery is influenced mainly by the type and duration of use. With appropriate use and treatment, the distance covered by a Bosch eBike battery during its service life can reach up to 60,000 km.

Cleaning & care

A damp cloth is recommended for cleaning the battery. The plug poles should be cleaned occasionally and lightly greased with technical Vaseline. The battery should first be removed before cleaning the eBike. To protect the electronic components, the batteries must never be cleaned with a direct jet of water or high pressure hose.

Moisture

The battery mount is designed in such a way that water can drain off and the contacts can dry. To ensure that this happens, the mount and plug area should be kept clean. The contacts are supplied with a coating which protects the surface against corrosion and wear. Technical Vaseline may also be used if required.

Repair

For safety reasons, faulty, old or "worn out" batteries cannot be repaired or refreshed. Lithium-ion batteries are complex, finely tuned systems with a high energy content. Correct function and optimum interaction with the Battery Management System can no longer be guaranteed if a battery is repaired. In addition, when the battery is re-assembled, the housing seal can no longer be assured.

For safety reasons, batteries must pass extensive series tests in accordance with national and international legislation and normative requirements before they can be placed on the market. These series tests are not feasible for an individual repaired battery due to the number of test samples required. This includes, for example, leakage testing, as well as overcharging and short-circuit tests. If these tests are not performed, there is a high risk that, for example, moisture will penetrate the battery and, in the worst case, cause a short circuit and thus pose a hazard. All of this can have safety-related consequences. For safety reasons, Bosch therefore strongly advises against having the battery repaired.

eBike battery check

Before buying a Bosch eBike battery you can check whether information is available for the relevant battery serial number.

You will find an eBike battery check  here.

Disposing of the eBike battery

You can hand in your old or defective eBike battery free of charge to any bicycle retailer, who will recycle it in an environmentally friendly way. No purchase of a new battery is required to do so.

Please note that heavily damaged batteries should not be touched with bare hands, as electrolyte may leak out, causing skin irritation. Please keep any defective batteries in a safe place outdoors, with the contacts taped off, and take them to your bicycle retailer for proper disposal as quickly as possible.