Battery Safety & Responsible Use
Please review this information thoroughly before charging or riding your Voltebyk electric cycle
🔥 Thermal Emergency — What to Do
High-energy lithium-ion cells can undergo thermal runaway — a rapid, self-reinforcing heating process triggered by internal damage, overheating, or electrical faults. This can result in severe fire or explosion risk.
Should the battery feel unusually hot, begin to expand, produce fumes, or catch alight:
- • Remove power immediately — unplug the charger or power leads. Use insulating gloves if available; avoid direct skin contact with a hot battery casing.
- • Take the cycle outdoors to open space well away from structures, parked vehicles, and stored fuel.
- • Lithium fires must not be extinguished with water — this generates hydrogen gas and worsens the fire. Use a dry-powder or CO₂ extinguisher, or call 112 for fire services.
- • Ventilate the area; combustion gases from burning lithium batteries are hazardous to breathe.
- • Decommission the battery — do not attempt further use after a thermal incident. Contact our support team for guidance.
Liability statement: All Voltebyk customers acknowledge, upon purchase, that they accept responsibility for the proper use, storage, and charging of the supplied battery. Voltebyk Private Limited accepts no liability for losses — including property damage, physical injury, or fatality — arising from improper use, impact damage, storage failures, or deviation from these safety instructions.
📍 Approved Charging Environments
The charging environment must be selected carefully before each session. Key requirements:
- • Choose a ventilated room or sheltered outdoor area with consistent airflow. Confined or poorly ventilated spaces are prohibited.
- • Enforce a minimum 1-metre fire-exclusion zone around the charger and battery — no paper, fabric, wood, foam, or liquid fuels within this radius.
- • Never place the battery on beds, sofas, or carpeted floors while charging, as these materials inhibit heat dissipation and may ignite.
- • Optionally, charge in a fireproof charging bag or ceramic container for additional protection — a dry-powder extinguisher should always be within reach.
🔌 Approved Chargers & Active Supervision
The battery must be powered only from the original Voltebyk charger or an officially verified replacement obtained through Voltebyk directly. Third-party chargers, fast-charge adapters, modified packs, and any devices not bearing Voltebyk's explicit approval are incompatible and prohibited.
- • Attended charging only. Once charging begins, do not leave it unsupervised. Disconnect promptly when the charger signals completion — do not continue charging a full battery.
- • Mandatory cool-down before charging: After riding, wait a minimum of 45 minutes for the battery pack temperature to normalise before plugging in.
- • Visual inspection before every charge: Look for cracks, bulging, corrosion at terminals, or any unusual smell. If any anomaly is detected, the battery must not be charged — report it to support.
Warranty notice: Confirmed use of non-approved chargers or modified battery packs renders the warranty null and void from the date of the first such use, releasing Voltebyk from any resulting liability.
🌡️ Temperature Specifications
Battery performance, safety, and longevity depend critically on operating within defined temperature windows.
- • Permissible riding range: 0°C to 45°C — performance will reduce outside this range.
- • Permissible charging window: 10°C to 40°C — charging at lower temperatures causes lithium metal deposition on the anode (creating an internal short-circuit risk); charging above 40°C speeds up irreversible capacity loss.
- • Recommended storage conditions: 10°C to 25°C — avoid hot vehicles, conservatories, or direct sunshine. Interior car temperatures can exceed 60°C in summer.
- • Never exceed: 60°C (maximum) or go below -10°C (minimum) — either extreme risks immediate, catastrophic cell failure.
⚠️ Impact, Crush, Puncture & Flood Damage
Physical trauma to a lithium-ion battery — even when the external shell looks intact — can cause separator failure and internal short circuits that develop into thermal runaway hours after the event.
- • Any drop from significant height, run-over, or puncture requires the battery to be treated as compromised and removed from service immediately.
- • No charging of physically damaged batteries. This is non-negotiable.
- • Quarantine and observe: Place the battery on bare concrete or stone outdoors and monitor continuously for 24 hours, watching for heat, swelling, or off-gassing.
- • After flooding: A submerged or water-infiltrated battery must not be powered. Isolate it as above and contact Voltebyk for proper handling instructions.
- • A certified Voltebyk technician must clear the battery as safe before it can be returned to service.
💧 Water Resistance — Actual Limits
Voltebyk batteries and electronics carry an IP65 splash-resistance rating. This protects against incidental rainfall and road splash under normal riding conditions. It does not offer protection against sustained water exposure or pressurised washing.
- • Riding through flooded areas or deep puddles is prohibited. Even brief submersion can breach the sealed housings.
- • Jet washing, pressure hosing, or steam cleaning the battery, motor, or controller will breach IP seals and voids water-damage warranty claims.
Water infiltration leaves identifiable evidence in sealed electronics and batteries. Any such damage falls outside the warranty.
📦 Long-Duration Storage Protocol
For any storage period exceeding four weeks, observe the following to preserve battery integrity:
- • Target a storage charge level of 40% to 60%. Full charge storage stresses the cathode; near-empty storage risks deep discharge damage that may make the battery unrecoverable.
- • Monthly charge level check: If state of charge has dropped to 30% or below, recharge back to the 40–60% band. Visually inspect for swelling or abnormalities at the same time.
- • Suitable storage locations are cool, dry, and well-ventilated — between 10°C and 25°C. Avoid areas with wide temperature swings or humidity.
- • In garages or sheds shared with petrol-powered equipment or LPG, remove the battery from the cycle and store it separately in a fire-resistant enclosure.
♻️ End-of-Life & Damaged Battery Disposal
Lithium-ion batteries are categorised as hazardous waste (e-waste) under Indian environmental regulations. Incorrect disposal is both unlawful and a serious fire and pollution risk.
- • Do not place in household waste, incinerate, or physically destroy a lithium battery as a method of disposal.
- • Contact Voltebyk customer support or a Voltebyk authorised dealer to arrange free, compliant battery return for certified recycling.
- • Disposal is governed by the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Non-compliance may attract legal penalties.
- • Batteries that are damaged, swollen, or leaking should be placed in a dry sand-filled metal bin, kept outdoors away from structures, until collected by an accredited e-waste processor.
⚖️ Acceptance of Inherent Product Risks
High-density lithium-ion batteries, by their nature, carry risks that responsible engineering reduces but cannot eliminate. The customer is informed that by taking ownership of and using any Voltebyk product, they freely and knowingly assume all inherent risks, which include but are not limited to:
- Thermal runaway, fire, or explosion resulting from battery cell failure under any circumstance.
- Electrical short-circuit or component failure caused by impact, submersion, or long-term wear.
- Personal injury, death, or property damage from road accidents, loss of control, or mechanical failure.
- Decline in range and power delivery as the battery ages or is used outside specified conditions.
- Legal or regulatory consequences resulting from the customer's manner of operation on public roads.
Voltebyk Private Limited, VOLT E BYK, and all associated entities, officers, and employees expressly disclaim all liability for losses, injuries, or damages arising from these inherent risks, regardless of whether such outcomes were foreseeable.
🚴 Purchaser's Fitness & Responsibility Warranty
Every person who places an order with Voltebyk represents, warrants, and guarantees the following at the time of purchase:
- They are physically fit and mentally capable of safely operating a motorised cycle.
- They either possess existing riding proficiency or will undertake appropriate training before first use.
- They have reviewed, understood, and accept this Battery Safety & Responsible Use document in its entirety.
- They will not permit minors or untrained individuals to operate the product without direct supervision.
- They will ride wearing a certified safety helmet and follow all traffic laws of India.
- They will keep the product registered and insured as required by applicable motor vehicle laws.
Dissatisfaction due to riding difficulty, physical discomfort, or inability to operate the product is not a manufacturing defect and confers no right to return, refund, or warranty claim.
🚫 Strict Prohibition on Modifications
Customers are categorically prohibited from modifying, opening, or tampering with the battery pack, battery management system, motor, controller, wiring harness, or any other sealed or integrated electrical component. Specifically prohibited acts include:
- Opening or disassembling the battery enclosure for any reason.
- Replacing individual lithium cells with cells from a different supplier or specification.
- Bypassing, cutting, or overriding BMS protection functions or over-current cut-offs.
- Reprogramming or flashing the motor controller to increase speed, torque, or power beyond factory limits.
- Connecting any electrical load, device, or charger not approved by Voltebyk to the battery output.
Any modification immediately and permanently voids all warranties and transfers full liability for all consequences — including fire, injury, and death — to the person who performed or authorised the modification.
🔧 Mandatory Use of Authorised Service Centres
Any inspection, maintenance, repair, replacement, or disassembly of the battery system, motor, or controller must be undertaken exclusively by a Voltebyk-certified technician at an authorised service location. Using an unqualified repairer:
- Voids all product warranties — immediately and without possibility of reinstatement.
- Removes any basis for a claim against Voltebyk for subsequent failures or incidents.
- Substantially increases the risk of fire, electrocution, and structural damage to the product.
- May expose the repairer and the customer to criminal liability under the Electricity Act, 2003.
Reach Voltebyk service at support@voltebyk.com or via the website before engaging any repair.
📜 Contributory Negligence Framework
Under the law of torts as applied in India, a claimant whose own conduct contributed to the occurrence of the harm may have their right to recover damages proportionally reduced or entirely denied.
In the context of any battery-related claim against Voltebyk, the following will be assessed:
- Whether these published guidelines were reasonably accessible to and expected to have been read by the customer.
- Whether an incompatible charger was used, or charging was left unattended.
- Whether the customer used a battery exhibiting warning signs (swelling, heat, odour) rather than discontinuing use.
- Whether the battery was stored in a manner explicitly prohibited herein.
- Whether the customer failed to respond to any BMS warning, display alert, or unusual behaviour.
Voltebyk will cite any documented departure from these safety guidelines as contributory negligence in any complaint, proceeding, or claim, whether before a consumer forum, civil court, or regulatory body.
🛡️ Cap on Voltebyk's Liability
Subject to and to the maximum extent permitted under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019:
- Voltebyk's aggregate liability to any individual customer, under any theory of law, is strictly capped at the actual amount paid for the product that is the subject of the claim.
- Voltebyk expressly excludes liability for all consequential, special, incidental, or punitive damages — including but not limited to bodily injury, death, destruction of property, loss of earnings, or emotional distress.
- No liability attaches to Voltebyk for battery fires, explosions, or thermal events where safety guidelines were not followed.
- Voltebyk has no liability for any damage or harm suffered by third parties as a result of the customer's misuse, improper storage, or negligent disposal of the battery.
All products are provided without warranties beyond those expressly stated. All implied warranties — including fitness for a particular purpose and merchantability — are excluded to the maximum extent permitted by law.
🏛️ Governing Law & Exclusive Jurisdiction
These guidelines, and all rights and obligations arising under them, are governed exclusively by the laws of the Republic of India. The primary legislative instruments applicable include:
- Consumer Protection Act, 2019 and Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020
- Indian Contract Act, 1872
- Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 and E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016
- Electricity Act, 2003
- Information Technology Act, 2000
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
The courts of Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh, India shall have exclusive jurisdiction over all disputes, claims, or proceedings relating to Voltebyk products or these safety guidelines. Each party irrevocably submits to this jurisdiction and waives any right to challenge it.
✅ Binding Customer Acknowledgement
The act of purchasing, receiving, installing, or operating any Voltebyk product that incorporates a lithium-ion battery constitutes your full, final, and legally binding acknowledgement of the following:
- ✓ You have read and understood this Battery Safety & Responsible Use document in its entirety.
- ✓ You accept all inherent risks of lithium-ion battery use and electric cycle operation.
- ✓ You will observe all charging location, supervision, temperature, damage, storage, and disposal guidelines.
- ✓ You will not use a non-approved charger, modify any component, or permit unauthorised repairs.
- ✓ You recognise that non-compliance constitutes contributory negligence and may bar your right to recover.
- ✓ You consent exclusively to the jurisdiction of courts in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh for all disputes.
- ✓ You accept that Voltebyk's maximum liability is limited to the purchase price of the product concerned.
Continuing to use the product after reading this document represents ongoing, active acceptance of every term above. Should you disagree with any provision, stop using the product immediately and contact Voltebyk support.