Battery maintenance and charging — electric vehicles for children

Battery charging and maintenance

A well-maintained battery makes the children's electric vehicle last for years. Here are the golden rules.

How to recharge

Use only the charger supplied with the vehicle.
Top up at room temperature (15–25 °C), never below zero.
Full charging time is typically 8–10 hours for both 6V, 12V and 24V.
Do not leave on charge for more than 12 hours: risk of overheating and reduction of useful life.

Conservation

If you do not use the vehicle for more than 2 weeks, recharge the battery to 50% and disconnect it if possible.
During the winter, keep your vehicle in a dry, cool place (not in extreme cold).
Avoid completely discharging the battery: get your child used to stopping when the speed drops.

When to replace the battery

A lead acid (SLA) battery lasts on average 1–2 years with regular use; lithium for up to 3–4 years. End of life signs:

Battery life reduced to less than 20 minutes.
The vehicle loses power when climbing hills.
The battery heats up excessively while charging.

Lithium vs lead

The models with lithium battery (like the Fiat 500e) are lighter, recharge faster and last longer. Lead-acid models cost less but need to be replaced more often.