Why Did My New Battery Arrive with a Low Charge?Updated 7 hours ago
It's common for customers to receive a brand-new Foil Drive battery showing a low State of Charge (SoC), sometimes around 10% or even lower. While this can seem concerning, this is completely normal and does not mean your battery has been damaged or has lost capacity.
Why are new batteries shipped with a low charge?
Lithium batteries are classified as Dangerous Goods and are subject to strict international transport regulations.
To comply with air freight legislation, all lithium-ion batteries must be shipped at less than 30% State of Charge (SoC). This requirement is set by international transport authorities and applies to all manufacturers shipping lithium batteries by air.
This lower charge level significantly reduces the amount of stored energy inside the battery, making it safer to transport in the unlikely event of damage during shipping.
In other words, your battery didn't arrive low because there is a problem—it arrived low because it was shipped safely and legally.
Is a low State of Charge bad for a brand-new battery?
No.
A brand-new battery spending time below 30% before it has ever been used does not reduce its lifespan or performance.
The science behind it
Lithium-ion batteries naturally age through two mechanisms:
- Calendar ageing – the battery slowly ages over time, even when it isn't being used.
- Cycle ageing – the battery ages as it is charged and discharged during normal use.
For a battery sitting in storage before its first use, calendar ageing is the only factor.
One of the biggest influences on calendar ageing is cell voltage.
A brand-new battery stored at lower voltages (lower State of Charge) experiences:
- slower chemical reactions inside the cells
- less stress on the electrodes
- reduced electrolyte degradation
- slower loss of long-term capacity
This is one of the reasons transport regulations require batteries to be shipped below 30% SoC—not only is it safer, but it also places less stress on the cells during storage and transit.
Why do we recommend storing a used battery around ~60%?
You may have seen our Battery Storage Guidelines recommending that used batteries be stored at roughly ~60% State of Charge when they won't be used for an extended period.
This recommendation is often confused with shipping requirements, but they are intended for different situations.
A brand-new battery
- has never been cycled
- is expected to be charged and used soon after you receive it
Being shipped below 30% for a short period is exactly what the battery was designed for.
A battery you already own
Once a battery has been used, the goal changes from safe transport to long-term storage.
If a used battery is left at a very low State of Charge for weeks or months, it will continue to self-discharge naturally.
If that self-discharge causes the battery voltage to fall below the Battery Management System's (BMS) protection threshold, the battery can enter deep discharge. In severe cases, this can permanently damage the cells and reduce battery capacity.
Storing the battery at roughly ~60% provides a safety buffer against normal self-discharge while still keeping the cells at a relatively low voltage, which helps minimise long-term ageing.
Think of it like this:
- Below 30% for shipping: Safe for transport for brand new batteries
- ~60% for storage: Best balance for used batteries that will sit unused for weeks or months.