Battery life test for electric scooters for the elderly: ensuring long-term reliable travel

Battery life test for electric scooters for the elderly: ensuring long-term reliable travel
When choosing a battery for an electric scooter for the elderly, it is crucial to understand its life. As a core component, the performance and life of the battery directly affect the cost of use, endurance and overall reliability of the vehicle. This article will delve into various aspects of battery life testing for electric scooters for the elderly to help international wholesale buyers make wise purchasing decisions.

1. The importance of battery life
Battery life determines the long-term use value of electric scooters for the elderly. A longer battery life means that the vehicle can maintain good performance for a longer period of time, reducing the cost and trouble of frequent battery replacement. For the elderly, this means that they can use the scooter more safely without worrying about interrupting their travel due to battery problems. In addition, a longer battery life is also beneficial to environmental protection and reduces the generation of waste batteries.

2. Common battery types and life characteristics
(I) Lead-acid battery
Lead-acid batteries are a more common type of battery in electric scooters for the elderly. Its advantages are low cost and mature technology. However, the life of lead-acid batteries is relatively short. Generally speaking, the cycle life of ordinary lead-acid batteries is between 300 and 500 times. If you use the electric scooter to travel a certain distance every day, for example, if you use a 58ah battery to travel 80 kilometers, travel 50 kilometers every day, and use the car 300 days a year, the lead-acid battery can be used for about 3 years; if you travel 20 kilometers every day and use the car 300 days a year, it can be used for about 7 years.
(II) Lithium batteries
Lithium batteries are increasingly widely used in electric scooters for the elderly, mainly lithium iron phosphate batteries and ternary lithium batteries. Lithium batteries have the advantages of high energy density, low self-discharge rate, and long cycle life. Taking lithium iron phosphate batteries as an example, their cycle life is usually more than 1500 times, and the attenuation rate is less than 20% after 5 years, and it can still maintain a good endurance. The cycle life of ternary lithium batteries is also about 800-1000 times, and some high-quality lithium batteries can reach a cycle life of 500 to 600 times under suitable conditions. Generally speaking, lithium batteries can be used for 6 to 8 years, and some lithium batteries can even reach a lifespan of 8 to 10 years under reasonable use.

3. Battery life test methods
(I) Cycle life test
This is one of the most direct methods to evaluate battery life. The battery is placed under specific charge and discharge conditions and subjected to repeated charge and discharge cycles. The capacity change of the battery is recorded in each cycle until the battery capacity decays to a certain extent (such as less than 80% of the rated capacity). The number of cycles experienced at this time is the cycle life of the battery. This test needs to be carried out under standard conditions such as constant temperature and humidity to ensure the accuracy of the results. For example, a lithium battery is charged and discharged at a rate of 1c at 25 degrees Celsius until the battery capacity drops to 80% of the initial capacity. The number of cycles is counted to determine the battery life.
(II) Charge and discharge efficiency test
Measure the energy loss of the battery during the charge and discharge process. Efficient batteries have low energy conversion losses during charge and discharge, which usually means better battery performance and life. During the test, the battery is fully charged first, and the input power is recorded; then the battery is discharged under a certain load, and the output power is recorded. The charge and discharge efficiency is calculated, that is, the ratio of the output power to the input power. The changes in this efficiency are tracked during multiple charge and discharge cycles to evaluate the performance changes of the battery during its service life. For example, if the charge and discharge efficiency of a lithium battery is about 90% in the initial stage, its efficiency may gradually decrease as the number of uses increases. When the efficiency drops below 80%, it can be considered that the battery life is close to the end.
(III) Self-discharge rate test
Self-discharge refers to the phenomenon that the battery discharges itself when it is idle. Batteries with low self-discharge rates can still maintain a large amount of power when not used for a long time, which is very important for electric scooters for the elderly, because some elderly people may not use the vehicle every day. During the test, the battery is fully charged and placed under certain environmental conditions (such as 25 degrees Celsius and 50% humidity). After a period of time (such as 1 month or 3 months), the remaining power or capacity of the battery is measured and its self-discharge rate is calculated. The self-discharge rate of lead-acid batteries is relatively high, while the self-discharge rate of lithium batteries is low, which is one of the reasons why lithium batteries are gradually replacing lead-acid batteries.
(IV) Environmental adaptability test
The life of the battery is also affected by environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. High temperature may cause problems such as accelerated chemical reactions inside the battery and evaporation of the electrolyte, thereby affecting the battery life; low temperature may reduce the performance and capacity of the battery. When conducting environmental adaptability tests, the battery is placed in an environment with different temperatures and humidity to simulate various extreme climate conditions that may be encountered in actual use. For example, the battery is charged and discharged in a temperature range of -20 degrees Celsius to 60 degrees Celsius and a humidity range of 10% to 90% to observe the performance changes and life attenuation of the battery. Through these tests, the reliability and life expectancy of the battery in different environments can be determined.
(V) Actual road test
In addition to various tests in the laboratory, actual road testing is also an important part of evaluating battery life. The elderly electric scooter equipped with the battery is tested for a long time in actual road conditions and usage scenarios. Record the vehicle’s mileage, charging frequency, battery performance changes and other data. For example, choose different routes, including flat roads, ramps, bumpy roads, etc., to simulate various situations of daily travel for the elderly. During the test, different load conditions should also be considered, such as single-person use, carrying shopping bags or other items, to more comprehensively evaluate the battery’s life and performance in actual use.

4. Factors affecting battery life
(I) Battery quality
High-quality batteries usually use advanced manufacturing processes and high-quality materials, which makes the chemical reaction inside the battery more stable and the electrode structure less prone to damage, thereby extending the battery’s life. When choosing a battery, buyers should pay attention to information such as the battery brand, the manufacturer’s reputation, and the battery’s quality certification. For example, some well-known brands of lithium batteries use electrode materials processed by nanotechnology and high-purity electrolytes, which can effectively improve the battery’s cycle life and safety.
(II) Usage habits
Reasonable usage habits have a vital impact on battery life. Elderly people should pay attention to the following points when using electric scooters:
Avoid overcharging and over-discharging: Overcharging can cause problems such as decomposition of the electrolyte inside the battery and damage to the electrode; over-discharging can cause irreversible changes in the electrode material, reducing the battery capacity and life. It is recommended that the elderly charge the battery in time when there is 20% – 30% remaining battery power, avoid charging after the battery is completely exhausted, and also avoid overcharging for a long time. For example, using a smart charger can effectively prevent overcharging. When charging, try to choose a cool and ventilated place to avoid direct sunlight and high temperature environment.
Control the frequency and intensity of use: Frequent use of scooters for long periods of time and high intensity will accelerate the loss of batteries. Elderly people should arrange their use plans reasonably according to their travel needs to avoid unnecessary long-term continuous use. If not necessary, try to reduce the frequency of use in extreme weather conditions, because high or low temperatures will have an adverse effect on battery performance, thereby affecting battery life.
Maintain an appropriate load: Elderly electric scooters are designed with certain load limits. Overloading will overburden the battery, leading to problems such as battery overheating and over-discharge, thereby shortening the battery life. Elderly people should pay attention to the load of the vehicle when using it, avoid carrying too many items or people, and ensure that the vehicle is driven within a reasonable load range.
(III) Charging method
The correct charging method is the key to extending the battery life. It is crucial to use a charger that matches the battery type. Different types of batteries (such as lead-acid batteries and lithium batteries) require different charging voltages, currents and other parameters. Using an unmatched charger may cause problems such as overcharging, over-discharging or undercharging of the battery. In addition, attention should also be paid to the temperature and humidity of the charging environment when charging. In the cold winter, it is recommended to charge the scooter in a warm indoor environment to improve charging efficiency and battery performance; in the hot summer, avoid charging in direct sunlight or hot and humid environments to prevent battery overheating and safety hazards. For example, when charging a lithium battery, the output voltage of the charger should accurately match the rated voltage of the battery, and the charging current should also be within the acceptable range of the battery. It is generally recommended to use a constant current and constant voltage charging method to ensure the safety and life of the battery.
(IV) Battery maintenance
Regular maintenance of the battery can effectively extend its service life. Maintenance work includes cleaning the battery surface, checking whether the battery connection wires are loose, and whether the battery box is damaged. Keeping the battery surface clean can prevent dust, dirt and other impurities from entering the battery and affecting the battery’s performance and life. Check the tightness of the connection wires to ensure a good connection between the battery and the vehicle’s electrical system to avoid power loss and abnormal charging due to poor contact. For maintainable batteries (such as some lead-acid batteries), it is also necessary to regularly check the electrolyte level and add distilled water when necessary to ensure normal chemical reactions inside the battery.

5. How to choose a battery based on test results
After evaluating the various battery life test results and the factors that affect battery life, buyers can choose batteries suitable for electric scooters for the elderly based on the following points:
(I) Clear demand
Determine the use demand and expected life of electric scooters for elderly consumers in the target market. If the target customers are mainly urban elderly people, and their daily travel distance is short, they may not have high requirements for battery life, but hope that the battery has a long life and simple maintenance; if it is for rural or suburban elderly people, they may need a longer range to meet the needs of longer distance travel. At this time, when choosing a battery, it is necessary to strike a balance between range and life. For example, for urban elderly consumers, lithium batteries with long cycle life and low self-discharge rate can be selected. Even if their initial cost is slightly higher, they are more cost-effective in long-term use; for rural elderly consumers, lithium batteries with relatively high energy density and moderate cost or lead-acid batteries with better performance can be selected, and the battery capacity and model can be determined based on actual test data.
(II) Comprehensive evaluation of test data
Compare the cycle life test results, charge and discharge efficiency test data, environmental adaptability test performance, etc. of batteries of different brands and models. Select battery products that perform well and stably in various tests. For example, a certain brand of lithium battery has reached more than 1,500 times in the cycle life test, and its performance degradation is small in high and low temperature environments. At the same time, its charge and discharge efficiency is also within a reasonable range. Such a battery may be a better choice. In addition, attention should also be paid to the performance of the battery in actual road tests, such as whether the mileage is stable and whether it is prone to failure. These are important bases for evaluating battery quality.
(III) Consider the compatibility and scalability of the battery
Ensure that the selected battery has good compatibility with the electrical system, body structure, etc. of the elderly electric scooter. At the same time, considering the possibility of future product upgrades or expansions, choose a battery system with good scalability. For example, the battery’s installation size, connection interface, etc. should match the design of the vehicle to facilitate installation and replacement. In addition, if the scooter is likely to add some auxiliary functions in the future (such as a more powerful lighting system, electronic auxiliary braking device, etc.), it is necessary to consider whether the battery can meet these additional power requirements, or whether it is convenient to upgrade or expand the battery capacity to ensure that the performance and battery life of the vehicle after the upgrade are not affected.
(IV) Pay attention to after-sales service and quality assurance
Choose a battery supplier that provides good after-sales service and quality assurance. This includes whether the supplier can provide battery repair and replacement services in a timely manner, and whether it has a complete quality traceability and after-sales service system. When there are quality problems with the battery, whether the supplier can respond quickly and provide a reasonable solution is very important for both buyers and elderly consumers. For example, some well-known battery brand manufacturers will provide a longer warranty period for their products (such as a 5-year or 8-year warranty for lithium batteries), and will repair or replace the battery for free during the warranty period for non-human damage and other problems. Such suppliers are more trustworthy in after-sales service, and buyers should consider this as an important consideration when choosing batteries.

6. Case Analysis
When selecting a battery supplier, an international wholesaler of electric scooters for the elderly conducted comprehensive testing and evaluation of a variety of batteries on the market. They first conducted a cycle life test on lead-acid batteries and lithium batteries. Under the same test conditions, they found that the cycle life of a certain brand of lithium batteries reached 1,200 times, while the same specification of lead-acid batteries was only 400 times. In the charge and discharge efficiency test, the average efficiency of lithium batteries was 88%, and that of lead-acid batteries was 75%. In addition, in the environmental adaptability test, lithium batteries can still maintain good performance in the temperature range of -10 degrees Celsius to 50 degrees Celsius, while the performance of lead-acid batteries decreases significantly in low temperature environments.
Based on these test results, and considering the target elderly consumers’ expectations for battery life and performance, the wholesaler finally chose this lithium battery as its main purchase object. In the actual sales process, this elderly electric scooter using lithium batteries has been widely praised by elderly consumers. The battery life and performance are in line with expectations. At the same time, it also reduces consumers’ use costs and the frequency of battery replacement, and improves the market competitiveness of the product.

7. Conclusion
The battery life test of elderly electric scooters is a key link to ensure product quality and meet the needs of elderly consumers. By deeply understanding the importance of battery life, common battery types and life characteristics, test methods and influencing factors, buyers can more accurately evaluate and select battery products. In actual purchasing decisions, test data, usage requirements, compatibility, after-sales service and other factors should be comprehensively considered to provide elderly consumers with reliable and durable elderly electric scooters to help them achieve long-term safe and convenient travel.