How Fast Do Electric Scooters Go (Research + Data + Everything You Need To Know)

When people think about buying an electric scooter, one of the first questions they have is how fast they can go. Scooters look very non-threatening at first, so the answer, to many people, is very surprising.

How fast do electric scooters go?

The average top speed across all electric scooters for adults today is 28 mph / 46 kmh. However, a large number of them can go quite faster than that, with the fastest electric scooter today being able to reach speeds of 100 mph / 160 kmh.

9 key factors determining the electric scooter speed

The speed your electric scooter can achieve is primarily determined by the following elements:

Motor power

A higher wattage motor generally generates more power, which directly translates into greater speed. In some cases, scooter owners may upgrade their motor to a higher wattage to increase the top speed of their scooter, but it’s essential to ensure that the scooter’s components can handle the increased power.

Battery capacity

A higher capacity battery stores more energy, allowing the scooter to draw more power for propulsion. The scooter’s battery capacity affects the range and, to some extent, the speed. The larger the battery, the more power it can deliver, leading to increased speed.

Terrain

Riding on flat and smooth surfaces, such as well-paved roads or bike lanes, allows your scooter to reach and maintain its maximum speed more easily. These conditions offer minimal resistance, making it ideal for achieving high speeds.

Weight

The combined weight of the rider and any additional cargo impacts the scooter’s speed. Lighter loads typically lead to faster speeds. Additionally, heavier loads can cause the battery to deplete faster, potentially reducing both speed and range.

Aerodynamics

The scooter’s design and wind resistance can affect speed. Sleeker designs and reduced wind resistance promote higher speeds.

Also, the rider’s body position can also influence aerodynamics; a more crouched or streamlined posture can reduce drag and enhance speed compared to an upright or exposed position.

Tire size and type

Larger tires and those designed for speed offer better performance in terms of velocity. Pneumatic tires with suitable tread patterns are generally preferred for achieving and maintaining higher speeds and providing a comfortable, stable ride.

Regulations and safety features

Many scooters have built-in speed limits for safety and legal compliance. These limits can restrict the top speed.

Modifications

Some scooter owners make modifications to increase speed, such as upgrading the motor or adjusting firmware. Another thing is adding aerodynamic components, such as fairings or streamlined windshields, which can reduce air resistance and enhance the scooter’s speed.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures that all components are in optimal condition, allowing the scooter to perform at its best speed.

Electric scooter top speeds

For an accurate response regarding electric scooter speeds, check out the table below which lists top speeds for each scooter model.

How fast do electric scooters go?

The average top speed for electric scooters, determined from all model speeds, is 26 mph / 42 kmh.

Nevertheless, this figure is significantly influenced by the fastest electric scooters that aren’t widespread.

For the majority of scooter riders, a more relevant question might be the typical speed of regular scooters.

How fast can the regular electric scooter go?

Regular, affordable electric scooters, bought by lots of people, will have an average top speed of 18 mph / 29 kmh.

By “regular”, we mean scooters that cost less than $1000 and would be within the budget for most people.

What is the fastest electric scooter?

The fastest confirmed electric scooter is Weped SST, with a recorded speed of 82 mph / 132 kmh.

According to the specs, the Rion2 RE90 claims the title of the fastest electric scooter on paper, with speeds reaching up to 100 mph / 161 kmh.

Is the speed of electric scooters limited?

Many scooters, including the majority, possess the technical capacity to attain higher speeds.

Manufacturers limit the electric scooter speed, and while it’s possible to increase it through tweaks or custom software, it may not always be an easy thing to do.

These limitations are primarily in place for legal and safety reasons, given the increased danger associated with high-speed riding.

Can I make my electric scooter faster?

Getting a few more kilometers per hour out of your scooter is usually possible, though not always easy.

Among the simplest things you can do are:

• unlock or remove any speed limitations that your scooter has
• fully charge your battery
• reduce the load that your scooter has to carry
• add a second battery

There are other, more advanced ways to speed up your scooter. If you are determined to go that route, check out our complete guide on making your scooter faster.

Matt Trajkovski

My name is Matt Trajkovski. I love electric scooters, and electric vehicles in general. I like doing a lot of testing, reviewing, and research on various electric scooter models and brands, following our proprietary rigorous editorial and testing process developed here at EScooterNerds, looking for great value and performance, both through data and experience. All of the content published on this blog goes through a rigorous review and editorial process, and our product reviews not only include the hands-on experience of our own team members, but the experience of our audience members as well. My goal is to provide you with the best information about electric scooters possible. You can see all of my posts in my articles archive.