Electric scooters in winter: how to ride and look after yours

Cold, rain, wet leaves and darkness by 5 pm: winter is the toughest season for an electric scooter, and for its rider. With a few good habits, though, you can ride all winter without nasty surprises. Here is what we recommend at the workshop.

1. Batteries do not like the cold

A lithium-ion battery loses capacity as the temperature drops. Between 0 and 5 °C, it is common to lose 15 to 25% of your summer range, and the scooter also feels less lively when accelerating. This is normal and reversible: the range comes back with warmer weather.

• Never charge a cold battery. Below 0 °C, charging damages the cells permanently. After a ride in the cold, leave the scooter at room temperature for at least an hour before plugging it in.
• Store it indoors, dry and frost-free, rather than in a freezing garage or cellar.
• Allow some margin on your journeys: do not set off with a half-empty battery counting on your summer range.

Not riding this winter? Store the scooter charged to 50 to 60%, somewhere dry and mild, and top it up once a month. A battery left flat for months may never charge again.

2. Rain and water: the real limits

Most scooters display a water-resistance rating, written IPX followed by a number. The higher the number, the better the scooter handles water:

• IPX4: splashing water. Light rain, nothing more.
• IPX5: water jets. Showers and wet roads are no problem. This is the case for most of the Teverun and Rovoron scooters in our range.
• IPX6: protection against powerful water jets from any direction. This is the level of scooters designed to ride all year round, heavy rain and spray from cars included, such as the Punk Rider and Punk Roamer.

None of these ratings means waterproof: they do not cover immersion. Even with IPX6, riding through a deep puddle or leaving the scooter out in the rain all night is still best avoided.

• Avoid puddles when you cannot see the bottom: water can reach the motor, controller and battery.
• Never clean it with a pressure washer. A damp cloth and a suitable cleaner are enough.
• After riding in the rain, wipe the scooter down and let it dry indoors before charging it.
• Water damage is not always covered by the warranty: check your manufacturer's terms.

3. Tyres: grip and pressure

On wet cobbles, fallen leaves, road markings and tram tracks, grip drops sharply. Tyres in good condition and properly inflated make all the difference.

• Check the pressure every two weeks. Air contracts in the cold, and an under-inflated tyre wears faster, punctures more easily and grips less in corners. Stick to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer.
• Keep an eye on wear. A bald tyre no longer clears water. If the tread is worn or cracked, it is time to replace it.
• Consider tubeless tyres with gel if you get frequent punctures: the gel automatically seals small holes.

At the workshop, pressure checks and inflation are free, and replacing a tyre or inner tube starts from €30 labour. All our tyres and inner tubes are online. To top up at home, a portable pump fits in a backpack.

4. Braking on wet roads

In the rain, braking distances get noticeably longer. Adapt the way you ride:

• Ride more slowly and leave more distance to the vehicle in front.
• Brake earlier and more progressively, using both brakes at once.
• Avoid braking hard in corners, on white markings or on manhole covers.
• Have your brake pads checked before winter: worn pads on a wet disc mean braking that comes too late.

If your stock brakes feel weak, our guide to hydraulic brakes for the Ninebot Max G3 and GT3 E explains how to upgrade to much stronger and more consistent braking, rain included.

5. See and be seen

In winter, many journeys happen in the dark. In Belgium, an electric scooter must have a white or yellow front light, a red rear light and reflectors. Lights are mandatory at night, and a light may also be worn by the rider rather than fitted to the scooter. Devices with handlebars must also have a bell.

• Check that your lights work before every ride. If the stock headlight is weak, add an extra lamp.
• Wear light-coloured clothing or reflective strips: a vest alone does not replace lights, but it helps.
• Find our replacement headlights, rear lights and indicators for the main models.

And do not forget your helmet: it has been mandatory since 1 September 2026 for scooters that can exceed 20 km/h. Everything is explained in our article on the helmet requirement.

6. Salt, mud and corrosion

Road salt and mud attack screws, bearings and the folding mechanism.

• After riding on salted roads, wipe the deck, wheels and folding area with a damp cloth, then dry them.
• A little lubricant on the folding mechanism and joints stops them from seizing.
• A workshop tip: in cold weather, cable housings stiffen. Wait until the scooter has warmed up before folding it, or they may crack.

7. The pre-winter service

The best time to have your scooter serviced is just before the bad weather sets in. Our full service costs from €50 and takes about an hour: brakes, tyres, battery, tightening, lubrication, cleaning and an electronics check, with a report at the end. If a part needs replacing, we give you a quote before doing any work.

Frequently asked questions

Can I ride in the rain?
Yes, if your scooter has a good water-resistance rating (ideally IPX5 or IPX6) and you adapt your riding. Avoid deep puddles and dry the scooter when you get home.

My scooter has lost range since it got cold. Is the battery worn out?
Not necessarily. A 15 to 25% drop in cold weather is normal. If the range is still low in spring, or drops suddenly, come to the workshop: we run a battery test.

Can I keep my scooter in an unheated cellar or garage?
For storage, yes, as long as it is dry. But do not charge it in the cold: bring it back to room temperature first.

Do I need special tyres for winter?
For city riding, no. What matters is having tyres in good condition, properly inflated, and adapting your riding.

Sources (in French): Belgian Federal Police, Belgian Highway Code. Article written on 28 September 2026.