How Long Does a Tuttio Soleil01 Battery Last?

The question of how long the Tuttio Soleil01‘s battery lasts can be broken into two parts: how much riding you can get from a single charge, and how long it will be before you need to replace the battery.

In this article, we’ll provide the real-world range achieved by testers and owners of the Soleil01, compare these results with Tuttio’s claims, and explain the key factors affecting range and battery lifespan of the included 21Ah lithium-ion battery.

Factors That Affect How Long the Battery Lasts (Range)

Battery range depends on a range of factors, some of which are outside of a rider’s control, but others can be manipulated in order to extend range. Here are the most noteworthy factors.

Power Mode

Firstly, the Tuttio Soleil01 has three power modes: Eco, Tour, and Sport. Tuttio claims that the bike will reach 15mph in Eco mode, 22mph in Tour, and 37mph in Sport. Max range decreases the faster a bike goes, as more power is used to maintain higher speeds.

Tuttio lists two range estimates. In Eco mode, range should be approximately 40 to 45 miles or around two hours of continuous riding. In Sport mode, they estimate 18 to 20 miles or 30 minutes of ride time.

In real-world testing, expert reviewers get 15 to 17 miles of range in Sport mode, slightly less than Tuttio’s estimate.

Terrain and Elevation

The type of terrain you ride has a massive impact on how quickly the battery drains. As the Tuttio01 isn’t road-legal, most of your riding will likely be done off-road. However, riding on hard-packed off-road surfaces drains the battery more slowly than riding on softer dirt trails or grass.

Likewise, going uphill requires more energy than riding on the flat, so the more hills you tackle, the less range you’ll get.

Steady vs. Stop/Start Riding

If you average 20mph on your ride, but you’ve been stopping and starting regularly throughout, the total range you get will be less than if you had ridden steadily at 20mph with fewer stops, as the energy it takes to get up to speed from a stop is significant, as anyone who rides a traditional bicycle will be familiar with.

Weather – Temperature and Wind

Another massive influence on range is the ambient temperature. Estimations by one publication show that freezing conditions (32°F) reduce battery capacity by around 30 percent. On very hot days, the effect is bigger, with a 40% reduction at 104°F.

Fighting against wind resistance also increases energy demands, so riding into a headwind reduces the range you can expect from your Soleil01.

Load

The weight of the rider and their gear is another major contributor to max range. If two riders complete the same ride at an average speed of 20mph, the smaller, lighter rider will have more charge left at the end, as less energy is required to propel the rider at that speed. This effect is even more notable on hilly terrain, where overcoming gravity means heavier riders demand more power from the motor than lighter individuals.

Factors That Affect Battery Lifespan

The quality and lifespan of lithium-ion batteries vary greatly. Battery lifespan is rated in charge cycles. One charge cycle is equal to a full discharge of 100 percent.

In theory, the higher the battery’s charge cycles rating, the longer it takes for the battery’s capacity to decrease. With every charge cycle, the max range you get from the battery decreases by a tiny amount, which adds up over time until you’re getting poor max ranges, meaning it’s time to replace the battery.

Tuttio doesn’t provide a charge cycle rating for its battery, but as a low-cost product, it’s unlikely to have as long a lifespan as batteries that come with more expensive bikes.

Nonetheless, there are some good habits that will slow the natural degradation of your Soleil01’s battery.

Use the Original Charger

Always use the charger supplied by the manufacturer or a replacement purchased from the manufacturer’s website. Using a mismatched charger can degrade the battery’s capacity faster or damage the battery. Using a mismatched charger is also a big safety hazard, and can result in a fire.

Charge Regularly – Don’t Allow Full Charge and Discharge Cycles

Maintaining your battery’s charge between 20 and 80 percent will help prolong its lifespan. Waiting until your battery reaches the low-battery warning or charging the battery until 100 percent are habits that increase how fast your battery loses its total capacity. As such, we recommend charging your battery for a while after each ride when possible.

Store the Bike With a Partial Charge and in a Temperature-Controlled Area

When storing your bike for a week or longer, it’s essential to charge it to between 40 and 70 percent, as leaving it empty or full can reduce its lifespan. Additionally, for longer-term storage, you’ll need to charge it every few weeks to keep it in that range, as it will discharge slowly over time even when the bike is turned off. Lithium-ion batteries should also be stored in an area that doesn’t experience big changes in temperature.

Always Using Sport Mode

Using the bike’s max power degrades the battery faster, as this creates heat that increases the wear of the battery. Avoid this by using all three modes, and avoid prolonged use of Sport mode on hot days.