Riders often think that electric scooter charging is a simple process, one just needs to…
How fast do electric scooters go
Electric scooters have become an increasingly popular mode of transportation, zipping through city streets to riding along scenic paths. These eco-friendly, convenient and compact vehicles offer a solution for both short commutes and leisurely rides. But, one question always pops up when someone considers buying an electric scooter “How fast do electric scooters go? This article will cover the speeds, factors that affect the speed, regulations in US cities and some personal experience on what riding at different speeds feels like.
Different ranges of speed for electric scooters:
- Shared electric scooters are available through companies like Lime, Bird and Spin, and are well-chosen for short and mostly urban trips. In most US cities, these scooters have a capped top speed of 12 to 15 mph. It prioritises the rider’s safety and ensures that vehicles are manageable for people of all experience levels.
- Personal electric scooters are meant for individual owners and usually have a flexible range of speed, entry-level models have a speed range between 15 to 20 mph and are ideal for city commuting or nearby rides. These can be the perfect choice for beginners or riders who use scooters for regular travel. The Segway Ninebot Max is one of the examples.
- Most powerful scooters have a range of speed between 30 to 50 mph or higher. These are also known as high-performance scooters which cover long distances or can go for adventurous rides. It is available in the premium range and requires more skills and expertise to ride. The Kaabo Wolf Warrior 11 is one of the examples.
Note – One should know the Rules and regulations of the state before owning such a powerful electric scooter.
Speed gives us the advantage of reaching our destination faster. But we should always remember that those who drive too fast, often have less control over the vehicle compared to those who maintain a safe speed or follow the speed limit mark. We should understand that how fast we drive is not as important as how safely we drive.
The major factors that can make your electric scooter go faster:
Weight – The weight of the rider and the weight he or she carries with them on an electric scooter will affect the speed. For example, if the weight is higher it causes more stress on the motor and the battery will decrease in speed. In the same way, if the rider is lighter then simultaneously it will not cause less stress on the motor and the battery will increase the speed of the e-scooter.
Tyres – The speed and range of the electric scooter depend on the tyres it possesses. Various electric scooters consist of different types of tyres. These tyres vary in size, air pressure and shape. The size of the tyre and motor are co-related hence the motor, is mounted into the scooter wheel hub. Tyres with low pressure create more friction making it difficult for the scooter to reach its maximum speed. Inversely when there is high tyre pressure, there is an increase in speed and a decrease in friction.
Motor size – Motors are of various sizes. The sizes vary in power and consumption of electricity. Generally, It is observed that electric scooters with large motors produce higher power than motors of small sizes. The size and weight of the motor generally, depends on its power level which is between 250 Watts to 1000 Watts.
| Electricity (Watts) | Average Speed (mph) |
| 250 | Close to 15 mph. |
| 350 | Ranges between 15 mph to 22 mph |
| 500 | Ranges between 25 mph to 30 mph |
| 1000 | More than 30 mph |
Note – Motors with high electric capacities often have higher RPM (revolution per minute) and torque.
The capacity of battery – All electric scooters contain lithium-ion batteries, which have a long-lasting battery life with minimal maintenance. Batteries are measured in amp hours (Ah). High ampere hour provides longer mileage. The battery capacity is measured in Watt hours (Wh). As the battery capacity of the electric scooter increases, the electric storage capacity of the scooter increases. This increase in electric storage leads further to an increase in range.
Landscape or ground surface – Different road and ground surfaces affect your vehicle’s speed. Free sidewalks may insist you check your scooter’s speed limit. Remember the permitted speed limit and always check your surroundings. The motor and the battery work hard to maintain the speed depending on the terrain like flat and smooth one or step incline and uneven surface. In many high-performance electric scooters, a self-designed program for speed mode, helps the rider adjust speed and acceleration depending on the riding condition and skills.
Speed limit – The average speed limit range is 15-30 mph, where 30 mph is meant for a high-power electric scooter and 20 mph is meant for an average top-speed electric scooter. Whenever the speed increases there is a high chance of a direct effect on battery charging time and travel distance. It is always advisable to follow the government electric scooter speed limit.
Weather conditions – We often notice that weather also plays an important role in speeding up your electric scooter. Mostly you will observe, that in windy and rainy weather the speed decreases due to resistance and makes the motor reach its maximum speed. On sunny days the extreme temperature affects the battery causing it to be faster and limiting the speed.
How you ride an electric scooter fully depends on your commute, overtime you will develop a habit. My electric scooter generally tops at 30 mph depending on the inclination of the road and the weather (wind). It only happens on smooth roads otherwise, it slows down to 15 mph to 25 mph when there is traffic. Please note that tilting at a speed of 35 mph to 40 mph is not advisable, always check for potholes, blind corners, intersections, road quality, traffic-free roads, and no pedestrians or other bikers on roads to reduce accidents.
Speed Regulations in US Cities:
| Name of State | Speed Limit |
| Colorado | 30 mph |
| California | 15 mph |
| Chicago | 15 mph |
| Arkansas | 15 mph |
| Connecticut | 20 mph |
| Washington DC | 10 mph |
| Georgia | 20 mph |
| Illinois | 20 mph |
| Lowa | 20 mph |
| Louisiana | 25 mph |
| Maine | 20 mph |
| Maryland | 20 mph |
| Massachusetts | 20 mph |
| Michigan | 45 mph |
| Mississippi | 15-20 mph |
| Missouri | 30 mph |
| Nevada | 20 mph |
| New Jersey | 19 mph |
| New York | 30 mph |
| North Carolina | 30 mph |
| North Dakota | 30 mph |
| Ohio | 20 mph |
| Oklahoma | 35 mph |
| Oregon | 24 mph |
| Tennessee | 20 mph |
| Utah | 15-25 mph |
| Virginia | 20 mph |
| Minnesota | 15 mph |
Enhance Safety at Different Speeds:
Here are some useful tips to help you to stay safe while riding an electric scooter at different speeds:
- If you are a beginner, best to start with models having a 15 mph speed range. Very soon you will be accustomed to the controls and the scooter handling. Once you gain the experience you can switch to faster models that allow higher speeds.
- Always follow and check your local regulations before purchasing or riding an electric scooter as speed limits vary from city to city. Even you will be safe from any fines and accidents.
- Electric scooters often share space with pedestrians, bicycles and cars, so it is important to be aware of your surroundings. Better to slow down at crowded places, signals, and turning points.
- It is crucial to wear a helmet at any speed. Protective gear like gloves, elbow pads and knee pads are additional for riding at higher speeds. Falling at a slower speed can also cause serious injuries. Hence precautions are a must.
Electric Scooter Maintenance:
- Clean the scooter
- Check tyre pressure
- Lubrication of chain
- Brake maintenance
- Charge the electric scooter properly
- Check bolts
- Keep the battery charged
- Store the electric scooter properly
- Battery Care
Conclusion
These factors will help you choose the right electric scooter to suffice your needs and regular maintenance will keep its speed and efficiency for a long period. Whenever you purchase a fast-paced electric scooter, always check it has a proper braking and motor system, handlebars, stability, strong sturdy build, and, so on.
Disclaimer
My motto is not to support high speed, it is just a sharing of knowledge only. Speed brings full excitement and fun, but it also welcomes risk. Higher the speed, you need safety gear like, a helmet, gloves, elbow and knee guard, closed-toe shoes and so on.
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