❄️ Lead-acid battery care in winter (AGM / GEL)

Lead-acid batteries are reliable, simple, and the most commonly used option in rural areas.

✔ How to store during winter

  • Store at a temperature no lower than +3…+5 °C
  • Fully charge before winter
  • If the tricycle is not in use:
  • switch off all fuses / circuit breakers
  • do not keep the charger permanently connected

 

✔ Can it be stored without charging all winter?

Yes, for one season it is possible if:

  • the batteries were fully charged
  • the storage temperature is around +4 °C

 

Recommended:

Fully recharge once during winter (January–February)

 

❌ What to avoid

  • Do not allow the batteries to fully discharge
  • Do not store at sub-zero temperatures if the batteries are not fully charged

Conclusion

Lead-acid batteries are very well suited for winter storage – they are durable, low-maintenance, and forgiving of minor mistakes.

❄️ Lithium battery care in winter (Li-ion / LiFePO₄)

Lithium batteries are lighter and more modern, but they require more careful handling.

✔ How to store during winter

Optimal storage temperature: +5…+15 °C

Before storage:

  • charge to 40–60%
  • store without load, with the tricycle switched off

 

❗ Very important: DO NOT charge a lithium battery if its temperature is below 0 °C. Even brief charging in cold conditions can significantly shorten battery lifespan.

 

❌ What to avoid

Long-term storage below freezing

  • Leaving the battery fully charged at +20 °C throughout the winter
  • Unknown or uncontrolled charging

Conclusion

Lithium batteries do not tolerate cold well, so during winter they require a warmer space and more discipline.

 

⚖️ When to choose lead-acid vs lithium batteries?

Situation / need Recommended battery

Rural area, farm use ✅ Lead-acid

Tricycle stored in an unheated garage ✅ Lead-acid

Used infrequently ✅ Lead-acid

Simple maintenance required ✅ Lead-acid

 

Longer riding range ✅ Lithium

Lighter tricycle ✅ Lithium

Heated storage available ✅ Lithium

Frequent, year-round use ✅ Lithium

 

Pricing and practical choice

A tricycle with a lithium battery usually costs around €200–300 more.

 

In practice:

~95% of rural customers choose lead-acid batteries

They are:

  • cheaper
  • more resistant to cold
  • easier to maintain
  • more forgiving of user mistakes

 

Therefore, in most cases, a lead-acid battery is the more rational and reliable choice.

 

✅ Our recommendation for customers

If the tricycle is stored in an unheated garage, used seasonally, and you want simple maintenance – choose a lead-acid battery.

If you have heated storage, ride frequently, and want a lighter tricycle – a lithium battery will be the better choice.