Battery care and maintenance
Charging for the first time
As the battery is delivered only partially charged, we recommend charging it fully at the beginning. The battery gets its full performance right from the start and does not need to be fully charged more than once.
Tips for optimal charging
The service life of lithium-ion batteries depends on many different factors e.g., 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.
- Charge the battery at room temperature if possible.
- After charging, disconnect the battery and charger from the power supply.
- Avoid regularly draining the battery to zero.
The battery comes with a temperature monitor that only allows charging at temperatures between 32°F (0°C) and 104°F (40°C).
The battery can be charged at any charge level. Interrupting the charging process will not damage 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 heat 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 at temperatures below 32°F (0°C), we recommend charging and storing the battery at room temperature and then inserting it in the eBike immediately before riding.
Storing the battery in winter
For longer periods of storage we recommend:
- Store the battery with a charge level of 30-60%.
- Store the battery at room temperature, in a dry room.
- Do not store the battery near flammable or combustible objects.
- Store the battery in a room fitted with a working smoke detector.
Service life
The service life of the battery is mainly influenced by the type and duration of use. The distance covered by a Bosch eBike battery during its service life can be as much as 37,282 mi with appropriate use and treatment.
Cleaning & care
Use a damp cloth for cleaning the battery. The plug poles should be cleaned occasionally and lightly greased. Always remove the battery before cleaning the eBike. To protect the electronic components, the batteries must not be cleaned with a steam jet or high-pressure cleaner.
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 have a coating which protects the surface against corrosion and wear. You can use technical lubricant occasionally as necessary.
Repair
For safety reasons, defective, old or "exhausted" batteries cannot be repaired or refreshed. Lithium-ion batteries are complex, finely tuned systems with a high energy content. In the event of a repair, correct functioning and optimum interaction with the battery management system can no longer be guaranteed. In addition, the tightness of the housing cannot be ensured when the battery is reassembled.
For safety reasons, rechargeable 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 a single repaired battery due to the prescribed number of test samples. This includes, for example, housing tightness testing, as well as overcharging and short-circuit tests. If these tests are not carried out, there is a high risk of moisture penetrating the battery, for example. In the worst case, this can cause a short circuit and thus create a hazard. All this can have safety-relevant consequences. Therefore, for safety reasons Bosch strongly advises against having the battery repaired.
Bosch eBike batteries must not be opened under any circumstances – including during repair by a third party. Opening the battery means interfering with its as-delivered condition approved by Bosch, and entails safety-related risks. There is a risk that, once opened, the Bosch eBike battery may catch fire due to a short circuit, for example because of squashed or incorrectly routed cables, detached components, or poor quality electrical connections. Once an eBike battery has been opened, these dangers persist if it continues to be used.
Disposing of an eBike battery
You can hand in your old or defective eBike battery free of charge at any bicycle retailer, who will forward it for environmentally friendly recycling. You do not need to purchase a new battery to use this service.
Please note that you should not touch severely damaged batteries with your bare hands, as electrolyte can leak out and cause skin irritation. Please store defective batteries in a safe place outdoors with the contacts taped off and take them to an approved bicycle retailer for correct disposal as soon as possible.
More information on battery recycling in North America can be found here.
