Winter battery care guide

We understand that your electric tricycle is more than just a fun runaround; it’s your ticket to fresh air and making your world feel like a bigger place - no matter the time of year and what the weather outside holds in store! 

Whether you use your tricycle for daily trips to local shops or weekend adventures in the countryside, caring for your battery during the chillier autumn and winter months will help keep things running smoothly and protect its long-term health. Our tricycle experts have put together a few top tips to help you care for your tricycle battery this winter.

How cold weather affects your electric tricycle battery

If you’ve noticed that your battery range seems a little shorter on a freezing December morning compared to a balmy July afternoon, then you’re probably not wrong. But there’s no reason to worry.

Our electric tricycles use lithium-ion batteries. Inside these batteries, chemical reactions produce the power that assists your pedalling. When temperatures drop below 10°C, these chemical reactions slow down. This increases the battery’s internal resistance, meaning it has to work a little harder to deliver power.

In practical terms, riding in cold weather can temporarily reduce your total battery range by 15% to 30%. The good news is that this performance drop is only temporary; as soon as milder spring weather returns, your full range returns with it.

6 essential rules for winter battery care

By following a few simple battery care routines, you can protect your battery, make the most of your winter riding, and extend the overall lifespan of your electric tricycle.

1. Store your battery somewhere warm and dry

The most effective thing you can do for your tricycle during winter is to keep it out of the cold. Your tricycle itself can happily sit in a dry garage or shed, but lithium-ion batteries do not like being left out in sub-zero temperatures.

Take it out after your ride: All of our tricycle batteries can be removed, so after each ride, take your battery out and store it somewhere warm and dry, such as inside your home or in a warm, dry garage. Ideally, it should be kept at a normal room temperature of between 15°C and 20°C.

Avoid direct heat: Do not place your battery directly against a radiator or heater. Gentle room temperature is perfect.

2. Never charge a freezing battery

This is one of the most important rules of electric tricycle care. Never plug your battery into its charger if the battery itself is at or below freezing temperatures (0°C).

Charging a frozen battery can permanently damage the internal lithium cells (a process known as lithium plating), reducing your battery’s capacity and creating safety risks.

Warm it up first: If you’ve just come back from a cold ride, bring your battery inside and let it sit at room temperature for at least an hour before plugging in the charger.

3. Keep your battery charged during storage

If you decide to take a short break from riding during the wettest weeks of winter, proper storage charging is essential. Leaving a battery empty or fully charged for weeks on end, especially somewhere cold, puts unnecessary stress on the cells.

The ideal storage charge: If you are storing your battery for more than two weeks without riding, aim for a charge level of 50% to 70%.

Check it regularly: Set a calendar reminder to top up the battery every 2 to 4 weeks so it never runs completely flat.

4. Charge safely on a flat, dry surface

When charging your battery, always follow safe charging practices:

• Only use the charger supplied with your Jorvik tricycle or a genuine Jorvik replacement charger such as those available on our accessories page

• Charge on a hard, flat surface away from flammable materials

• A full charge takes around 5 to 6 hours, so don’t leave your battery charging unattended overnight and unplug it once it’s full.

5. Keep water away from your battery connections

Winter riding often means rain, puddles, and road spray. After a wet ride, give your tricycle a wipe down and let it dry somewhere sheltered; also make sure the battery contacts and connectors are dry before you re-fit or charge the battery. Avoid pressure washers, as they can force water into electrical parts; a soft brush and damp cloth are all you need.

6. Take advantage of dual battery systems

If you own a dual-battery electric tricycle, such as our all-terrain DRAKKAR II or the VANDRA II, your two batteries are managed by a battery balancer. When both batteries are fully charged, they drain together. If one has more charge than the other, the system draws from the fuller battery first until both are level, then uses them together. Sharing the load like this reduces the strain on each battery and helps keep your power steady, even in cold weather.

If you don’t own a dual battery tricycle, a spare battery can be a great way to extend your winter rides. We stock spare tricycle batteries, so if you’re unsure which one is right for your tricycle, just get in touch with our friendly team, and we’ll help you out.

Top riding tips to maximise winter battery range

Looking to get the most out of every charge when heading out into the chilly weather? Try these practical riding habits.

Fit a warm battery just before you ride

Charge your battery indoors and fit it just before you set off. A battery that starts warm will give you more range than one that’s been sitting in the cold.

Start in a lower assistance mode

Pulling away using high pedal-assist levels draws a heavy current from a cold battery. Start pedalling in lower assist modes and gradually increase as your legs and the motor warm up.

Keep your tyres inflated

Cold air can cause tyre pressure to drop, and low tyre pressure then increases rolling resistance, which makes your motor and battery work much harder. Check your tyre pressures weekly, using the pressure shown on the tyre sidewall for reference.

Look after your chain and drivetrain

Road salt, grit and dampness can cause friction in your chain and gears. A quick wipe-down and a fresh coat of wet chain lube will keep your pedalling smooth, and our cleaning bundles have everything you need to keep your tricycle in great shape through the winter.

Ready for winter adventures?

Riding an electric tricycle through autumn and winter is a wonderful way to enjoy fresh air, stay active and explore the world around you. With a little extra care for your battery, you can enjoy journeys without worrying, whatever the weather. For more tips on riding at this time of year, have a read of our autumn riding guide and our guide to riding safely in winter.

If you have any questions about battery care, charging, or maintaining your tricycle, our tricycle experts are here to help.