How maintenance extends the life of traction batteries

15 January 2026

The total service life of a traction battery is directly related to how well it’s maintained. Allowing problems to develop can lead to downtime and necessitate expensive replacements. A system of regular checks is what prevents small issues from becoming major failures. That's why our Energic Plus experts have laid out the required process in this blog, broken down into the essential daily, weekly, monthly, and long-term maintenance checks.

Daily maintenance

Visual Inspection: Check for visible damage, electrolyte leaks (lead-acid batteries), loose connections, and damaged cables. Ensure that the battery is clean and dry.
Check the charge status and usage: Charge the battery when it has been discharged up to 80% (lead-acid batteries). Avoid deep discharge and do not interrupt charging cycles prematurely. Avoid leaving discharged batteries standing for too long, especially lead-acid batteries. Always disconnect the battery correctly from the vehicle or system before charging.

Weekly maintenance

Cleaning: Use battery cleaner to clean the top of the battery and the terminals or connectors. This will prevent creepage current and corrosion. Keep the container clean and dry.
Electrolyte level of lead-acid batteries: Check the level after fully charging the battery and leaving it to rest. If necessary, top up with demineralised water to the prescribed level, which is usually the bottom of the basket. Never top up with sulphuric acid! Only start watering after the first 10 cycles of a new battery to avoid the battery boiling over.

Monthly maintenance

Voltage and specific gravity measurements: Measure the voltage of each lead-acid cell, as well as the overall battery voltage. After a full charge, record the specific gravity (as measured by a hydrometer) of the electrolyte in the lead-acid cells.

Long-term maintenance

Professional service: Arrange for a specialist technician to carry out a comprehensive inspection of the cable insulation, cell connections and housing. Conduct a capacity test (discharge test) to determine the battery's remaining capacity. This is crucial for warranty purposes and planning replacement.
Regeneration: Periodically subjecting the batteries to a regeneration session (every six months or annually) can reduce their gradual ageing and capacity loss due to sulfation. Energic Plus regenerators are ideal for this purpose.
Equalising charge (lead-acid): If permitted and required by the battery type, perform an equalising charge to balance cell voltages and prevent sulfation.

Find out even more about Energic Plus

Read some of our other blogs to find out more about industrial batteries, chargers, and advanced battery maintenance solutions from Energic Plus:

How to charge traction batteries correctly
How to discharge lead-acid batteries
How to choose the right high-quality battery charger
Things you should know before using a battery charger
Why machines should not be used while charging
Why a high-frequency charger is the better choice
How to choose between a built-in and a stand-alone charger
Save batteries with the Energic Plus battery regenerator
5 tips to maintain a starter battery
How to maintain lead-acid batteries
How to install block batteries correctly and safely
Maximise the lifespan of block batteries with regular maintenance
3 phases for correctly installing traction batteries

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About the authors

This blog post is brought to you by your Energic Plus team.

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