How to Charge Your Electric Motorcycle Safely and Efficiently This Summer?
Urgent reminder to electric vehicle users: The hot summer has arrived and the temperature is still rising. The batteries used in electric motorcycles will face the challenge of high temperatures – high temperatures will affect battery performance, charging speed and overall safety.
In this article, we will guide you on how to charge your electric motorcycle correctly, ensure your battery stays healthy, and share some important summer safety tips to guarantee a smooth ride and a healthy battery.
Understanding Your Electric Motorcycle’s Battery and Charging Requirements
When it comes to motorcycles, understanding the battery and charging requirements is essential. This understanding ensures that the proper charger is selected, and that maximum efficiency is maintained while preventing long-term damage.
- Battery Specifications
Lithium-ion batteries, which are modern and lighter relative to older and cheaper lead-acid batteries, are now commonplace among electric motorcycles. In addition to being cheap, lead-acid batteries are known for their high energy density and the ability to be recharged hundreds of times unlike lithium-ion batteries which are heavy and cheaper.
- Battery Specifications
Your bike’s battery typically comes in kilowatt-hours (kWh) and ampere-hours (Ah) and both of these standard units are different energy capacity measuring systems. Clearly, having both measures equating to more leads to higher energy storage and range for the bike. That being said, range and energy is directly proportional to the charging time.
- Voltage and Charger Compatibility
Manufacturer recommended chargers are the safest bet because they are also the most compatible. A battery’s lifespan can be permanently damaged or shortened by the use of devices with improper voltage and amperage. Also, some motorcycles can accept Level 2 chargers which enable faster charging at certain charging stations.
- Guideline Compliance
Your electric motorcycle’s manufacturer has countless pieces of advice which ensure the smooth operation of the motorcycles. Proprietary manuals often include maximum charging current, optimal charging temperature range, and recommended best storage conditions.
How to Charge an Electric Motorcycle?
With a good grasp of the technology, let’s look at the convenient locations and hows of charging your bike. You’ve got many choices — from the simplicity of home charging to the speed of public charging locations.
Home Charging
For most riders, more than 80% of charging is done at home. It’s the most convenient and affordable method.
- With Level 1:Â Level 1’s simplicity is one of its best features. You take the charging cable that comes with your motorcycle, plug it into any ordinary garage or outdoor wall receptacle, and plug the other end into your motorcycle. Â Â Â Charging overnight is perfect. If you drive 30-40 miles a day, a Level 1 charger can refill that with ease overnight so you start the day with a “full tank.” Â Â Â
Tip: Avoid using run-of-the-mill, thin extension cords. If you must use one, use a heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cord (12-gauge or 10-gauge) to prevent overheating and power loss.
- Level 2 upgrade:Â If you have a larger battery, you drive a lot every day, or you’d like faster turnarounds, installing a Level 2 charger at home is an excellent investment. This will most likely involve hiring an electrician to install a 240V outlet and purchasing a wall-mounted or portable Level 2 EVSE. The cost will run anywhere from a few hundred up to well over one thousand dollars, but the pay-off of reducing your charge times by 50-75% is generally well worth it.
Public Charging Stations
Public charging stations are increasing exponentially, making longer trips and city-to-city excursions more available than ever before. They are a blessing for apartment dwellers who don’t have home charging capabilities.
Finding Stations: Your apps are your best friend. PlugShare is a must-have app, crowdsourcing information on nearly every public charging station, from location to connector type, to price, and user rating of its working status. ChargePoint, Electrify America, and EVgo are other network-specific apps that users love. They all let you locate chargers, search live availability, and in some cases pay for it.
How to Use a Station: The procedure is generally simple. You’ll typically have the app for the network on your phone.
- Pull into the station and select the appropriate connector for your bike (typically J1772 for Level 2).
- Launch the app, select the station number, and lock the session. There are also tap-to-pay credit card readers in some stations.
- Insert the connector into your motorcycle charge port. The station and bike will communicate with one another, and charging will begin, typically indicated by a dashboard light on your bike and an indication on the station’s screen.
- To end the session, do so via the app and then unplug the connector.
Workplace or Shopping Mall Charging
This is commonly called “opportunity charging.” It’s a routine of topping off your battery when you’re parked that you can. Many companies now offer EV charging as a company benefit, and malls have them for customers. These are virtually always Level 2 and occasionally even gratis. Refuelling for an hour or so when you’re shopping or working can put on a fairly large number of miles for your range, giving you more flexibility for your home trip or evening trip out.
How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Motorcycle?
Many riders ask: how long does it take to charge an electric motorcycle? The answer depends on several factors.
- Battery Capacity
A larger battery takes longer to charge. For example, a 4 kWh battery might take 3–4 hours on a standard charger, while a 14 kWh battery could take 8–10 hours.
- Charger Power Output
Level 1, 2, and 3 chargers come equipped to power batteries in kWh. For example, a 3 kW charger will fill a 9 kWh battery in roughly 3 hours, while a 1.5 kW charger would take twice as long.
- Starting Charge Level
As is the case for advanced, fully equipped battery charging management systems, the majority tend to slow the charging bulk flow in the latter phases to preserve battery life.
- Summer Heat Impact
In dire conditions, the Battery Management System could go so far as to halt the charging/postpone the power on until the battery cools down.
Example Charging Time Table:
| Battery Size | Charger Type | Approx. Time (20% → 80%) | Approx. Time (0% → 100%) |
| 4 kWh | 1.5 kW AC | 2 hrs | 3 hrs |
| 7 kWh | 3 kW AC | 3 hrs | 4.5 hrs |
| 14 kWh | 6 kW AC | 2.5 hrs | 4 hrs |
Summer Electric Motorcycle Charging Safety Tips
The warm weather can make it more difficult to charge electric motorcycles. To charge motorcycles more safely and efficiently, consider:
- Best Time to Charge – Heat is less of a factor in the early morning and late evening.
- No Direct Sunlight – Park indoors or in the shade whenever it is available.
- Let the Battery Cool First – Wait 15–30 minutes after riding before plugging in.
- Thermal Diagnostic – Overheating of the connectors can signal a fault so it is best to check the temperature of the connectors and cables.
- Avoid Excess Charge – Overheating can occur with too much heat during charging, so make sure to unplug once charging is done.
- Ensure Good Airflow – Good airflow can prevent the hot air from accumulating around the battery.
Keep Your Rides Powered and Safe All Summer
Every standardized charging operation not only extends the service life of electric motorcycles but also provides a powerful safeguard for public safety. Let’s start from the little details of life and take practical actions to safeguard the safety of every trip, allowing technology and civilization to coexist in harmony.
This summer, keep your motorcycle powered, enjoy riding, and keep your battery in top condition – make every journey as exciting and thrilling as the first one.
