Electric motorbike battery: lifespan and care

A lithium battery doesn't die suddenly: it gradually loses capacity. With quality 21700 cells (such as the LG M50LT in the Falcon Pro), expect typically 500 to 800 full cycles before dropping to around 80% capacity — roughly 35,000 to 60,000 km of mixed use (estimate). At 80% the battery is still perfectly usable: you lose about 20% of range. Two 50% charges count as one cycle.

Wear depends mainly on temperature and the current drawn, expressed as "C" (power drawn ÷ battery energy). On the road in L1e-B mode (4 kW max), a 2.5 kWh battery works at 1.6C at most, often far less: very gentle. At full off-road power (10 kW) it reaches about 4C. Bursts of a few seconds are fine; long full-power sessions, especially in hot weather, are what age a pack. After hard riding, let the battery cool for 30 minutes before charging.

For the same power, a 72 V battery delivers less current than a 60 V one: at 4 kW, about 56 A versus 67 A. Heating rises with the square of the current: at comparable resistance that's about 30% less heat, so more consistent performance at low charge and slower ageing.

• Day to day, charge between 20% and 80–90%. Keep 100% for rides where you need full range, and ride soon after.
• Never leave the battery at 0% for days.
• Don't charge a battery below 0 °C: let it warm to room temperature.
• Use only the original charger or a certified compatible one.
• For storage longer than a few weeks: 40–60% (see winter storage).

Range dropping sharply from one ride to the next, a battery that gets unusually hot when charging, charging time getting much longer, a swollen or deformed case, an unusual smell: stop using the battery and contact the workshop. Never charge a swollen battery.