How Fast Can Electric Scooters Go in 2023? Top Speed Guide for Beginners

January 4, 2023

You are probably wondering how fast can electric scooters go. The answer varies since different brands and models have something different to offer in terms of speed and range. Some people like to go fast, especially more experienced riders, which is why they select the models with the right amount to satisfy their need for speed.

The legal speed limit for an electric scooter differs in every state, but the most common street-legal specification is around 15 miles per hour. This is why some electric scooter manufacturers build their commuter scooters in compliance with legal requirements.

However, some people crave faster speed more than others. For those people who like to ride fast, they always have a choice to purchase an electric scooter that delivers. Faster models, however, are much more expensive because of the materials used to boost the range.

How Fast Can Electric Scooters Go?

Some electric scooters go as slow as 7.5 miles per hour, and these scooters are marketed for beginners and kids. Most commuter scooters range from 15 to 18 miles per hour. The fastest scooters can reach speeds as fast as 50+ miles per hour. These are mostly for adventure and off-road riding and other recreational purposes.

Electric Scooter Speed by Model

Here is a list of some of the best electric scooter models and their maximum speed (from fastest to slowest):

Outstorm MAXX 5000-watts: 60 miles per hour
Wolf Warrior: 50 miles per hour
Dualtron Ultra: 50 miles per hour
Dualtron Thunder: 50 miles per hour
Nanrobot D4+: 40 miles per hour
Qiewa Q1 Hummer: 37 miles per hour
Mercane Wide Wheel: 25 miles per hour
Unagi Model One: 20 miles per hour
Segway Ninebot ES4:18.6 miles per hour
Razor E300S: 15 miles per hour
Razor E200: 12 miles per hour
Gotrax GKS: 7.5 miles per hour

Factors that Impact Electric Scooter Speed

If you are planning to buy an electric scooter, the top speed written in the specs is not always accurate. There are several factors that may affect how fast electric scooters can go. Make sure to consider these when buying an electric scooter based on the speed you desire.

Rider Weight

If the rider is heavier than the suggested weight capacity of the electric scooter, the maximum scooter speed will most likely get affected. The motor, together with the battery, will have to work harder to accelerate if the rider is heavy. Therefore, the electric scooter’s top speed and acceleration are compromised.

A heavy rider will also cause the battery to drain quicker than usual. Make sure you get an electric scooter that is suitable for the rider’s size and weight to get the most speed and range.

Motor and Power Output

The motor of a scooter needs to be at least 350 watts or higher to have the right amount of power to carry heavier riders. Some electric scooter companies do not include the rider weight factor when advertising their maximum speed and range. For this reason, it is best to base your decisions on the size of the motor.

For commuter electric scooters, a 350-watt motor can run at street-legal speed. However, for heavier riders, you may want to choose something bigger so that the acceleration will not get affected. When choosing an electric scooter motor, you must also consider the type of terrain you will be using the scooter on.

Battery

The battery does not only play a role in the maximum range of an electric scooter, but it also has something to do with the speed and power output. A massive 3500-watt motor is meaningless without the right battery voltage.

For massive motors, they would usually have 48v batteries installed. The amount of voltage will have an impact on the electric scooter’s speed and acceleration. There are different types of electric scooter batteries (1) that will affect the price, speed, range, and overall performance of an electric scooter.

With some scooter models, the speed starts to slow down when the battery is running out. Make sure you always keep the battery charged and avoid riding it to zero. By doing the right preventive maintenance on your battery, the scooter will always perform at its best. Plus, longevity is maximized.

Type of Terrain

The type of terrain will also have an effect on the electric scooter’s top speed and acceleration. Going up steep hills will slow down an electric scooter. If hills are part of your daily commute, make sure you choose an electric scooter with a bigger motor and higher battery capacity.

Just like with heavy riders, an electric scooter’s motor will also get too worked up when going up hills, causing it to slow down and drain the battery much faster.

The incline or hill grade is only one factor. You should also consider the smoothness of the terrain. If you will be riding on smoother surfaces, the electric scooter will accelerate faster than riding on rough roads. Road imperfections such as potholes, speed bumps, and cracks are also factors of the road that affects the top speed of an electric scooter.

Fortunately, some electric scooters are built to handle any kind of terrain. These scooters are usually equipped with a reinforced frame with shock absorption, and equipped with air-filled tires for a smoother ride.

Electric scooters with these specs are a lot more expensive than regular commuter scooters, but having a reliable scooter with the right amount of speed you need will be worth the investment.

Tire Pressure

If a scooter is equipped with air-filled or pneumatic tires (2), they need to be filled with air from time to time and within the right amount of pressure. Riding on tires with a pressure that is either too low or too high will affect the electric scooter’s maximum speed.

The pressure will also affect shock absorption and the tire’s ability to ride through road imperfections. Getting a smooth ride depends on how you fill the tires. You can read the electric scooter owner’s manual to determine the recommended amount of pressure for a specific model.

Can you Make an Electric Scooter Go Faster?

Yes. Certain modifications, such as installing a new battery or a more powerful motor, will do the trick.

Do this on top of keeping the battery at an optimum level, properly filling the tires, and choosing the right motor for your weight.

Before you even think about doing these modifications, you need to make sure you know what you are doing, or know someone who can perform these special modifications. Doing these alterations may void the warranty of your electric scooter. Sometimes, it is safer to opt-in buying a new scooter with better specs than performing a motor and battery overhaul by yourself.

Either way, it is up to you.

Rider Safety Tips for When Reaching Maximum Scooter Speed

Now that you know how fast an electric scooter can go, it is best to learn how to manage speed with these safety tips. Riding fast can be fun, but it can be dangerous too, especially for beginners.

Here are some useful tips you should know before riding fast:

Wear protective gear (helmet, knee pads, elbow pads)
Make sure you know how to operate an electric scooter
Do not ride fast in highly populated areas
Know the speed limit in the area

Conclusion

Riding electric scooters is fun and enjoyable for anyone in the family. Some can go really fast, so it is best to purchase one that is suitable for the abilities of the rider. Remember that fast can be dangerous for you and other people around you when not managed properly. Before riding at top speed, make sure you know what you are doing. Have fun riding!

References

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Daniel