Quick Guide on How To Make Your Electric Scooter Faster

If you’ve ever wondered how to make your electric scooter faster, you’re definitely not alone. Lots of scooter owners poke around for tweaks or hidden features to get a bit more speed.

Maybe you want to zip to work a little quicker or just enjoy a faster cruise. Good news: there are a handful of ways to make electric scooters faster.

If you want to make your electric scooter faster, there are a few effective ways to do it. You can upgrade the motor, switch to a higher-voltage battery, or replace the controller with a more powerful one.

Removing factory speed limiters, which are usually located near the battery or controller, can also help boost your top speed. Even simple changes like reducing extra weight can improve performance.

For some models, you can use an app, but others need a few manual adjustments. Just make sure to stay safe and know your scooter’s limits. Ready to ride quicker and smarter? Keep reading for simple ways to pick up the pace!

How Your Scooter’s Speed Is Limited

Your scooter’s speed depends on a few built-in factors. Some limits come from the electrical parts, while others are there for safety or legal reasons.

Understand Voltage, Motor, and Controller Caps

iScooter iX5S Electric Scooter 11" Off-Road Tires

The speed really comes down to the battery voltage, motor power (watts), and the controller. Higher voltage gives the motor more juice, which can push up your speed and acceleration.

Most scooters use a 36V or 48V battery. Motor wattage sets the cap for how much power hits the wheels. A 250-watt motor just can’t keep up with a 500-watt or 1000-watt one, no matter what tricks you try.

The controller acts as the “brain,” managing how much power flows from battery to motor. Most controllers are programmed with speed limits for safety or to comply with laws.

Even if you reduce your weight or stick to flat ground, those built-in caps in the battery, motor, or controller will set your top speed. Some scooters have electronic speed limiters too.

Modern models might let you tweak things with an app, but you can’t bypass hardware limits without serious modifications.

Level-Up the Hardware

Upgrading hardware parts can boost your scooter’s top speed and overall power. Matching the right components keeps everything running safely and smoothly.

Boost Battery, Motor, and Controller Power

Swapping your stock battery for a higher voltage, larger capacity lithium-ion battery gives your motor more power. A higher battery voltage means the motor spins faster, which directly increases your max speed.

Make sure new batteries fit with your scooter’s battery management system and speed controller. Stick with batteries that use good quality cells and offer safe charging features.

Upgrading to a more powerful brushless motor can give you more torque and top speed. Motors with a higher k-value spin faster per volt. Pair these with a speed controller that can handle more current.

Changing the gear ratio can also affect acceleration and top speed. But you have to balance this with battery and motor upgrades to avoid straining the system.

Double-check compatibility before installing any new hardware. Trust me, it’s not fun to fry your controller.

Tweak Software and Firmware

Messing with your scooter’s software settings can unlock extra speed and performance. A lot of scooters have built-in speed limiters or modes you can adjust with firmware updates or a few tweaks.

Remove Speed Governors and Tune Safely

Most modern scooters use software to control speed. They often come with limiters to keep you under a certain speed for safety or legal reasons.

Some have modes like "Eco" or "Turbo" that limit how much power the motor uses. You can sometimes remove these limiters by updating or flashing the firmware.

For certain models, there are tools and apps that help you unlock the fastest mode. This usually means connecting your scooter to a computer or smartphone with Bluetooth.

Before you make changes, check if altering the firmware will void your warranty. Tweaking limiters or settings can wear out the battery and motor faster.

Always follow instructions and steer clear of sketchy updates.

Improve Efficiency and Riding Setup

Simple changes to your routine and scooter setup can add a few extra mph. Good care and the right adjustments help you get the most from your scooter without extra cost or risk.

Get More Speed from Maintenance and Setup

Keep your scooter in top shape—it really does make a difference. Regular maintenance like cleaning the drivetrain, checking brakes, and tightening bolts keeps things running smoothly.

If you let parts get worn or dirty, your scooter will slow down and wear out faster. Tire pressure is one of the easiest things to optimize.

Under-inflated tires drag you down. Check tire pressure weekly and keep it close to the upper limit listed on the sidewall.

Some riders safely inflate 3–5 PSI above the recommendation for a little more speed, but always stay within safe limits. For street use, street tires roll faster than off-road ones.

Reducing aerodynamic drag can help, too. Wear slimmer clothes, tuck in loose items, and keep your body upright and close to the scooter.

If your scooter has an eco mode, turn it off—it usually just limits your top speed to save battery life. Ditch extra weight when you can, and your scooter will accelerate and climb hills a bit better.

Balance Performance with Safety and Legality

When you make your scooter faster, you have to keep safety, braking, and local laws in mind. Ignoring these areas bumps up your risk of accidents or legal trouble.

Upgrade Brakes

Going faster means you need to stop better. Upgrading your brakes isn’t optional—it’s necessary.

Most scooters use disc or drum brakes. If yours are basic or worn out, consider switching to higher quality disc brakes.

Good brakes cut your stopping distance and help you stay in control. Don’t forget to check your brake pads and swap them out when they’re worn.

Also, check tire pressure and tread. This affects how your scooter handles sudden stops and sharp turns.

Check Weight

Manufacturers set weight limits for a reason. If you go over, the motor strains and controlling the scooter gets harder—especially when you’re moving faster.

Heavy loads stretch out your stopping distance. If you can, lighten your load and only carry what you need.

Your speed and battery life will improve, and handling gets safer with less weight. Always check your scooter’s manual for weight restrictions before making upgrades.

Know Rules

Speed limits for electric scooters vary. In a lot of cities, the top speed allowed is between 15 mph (24 km/h) and 18 mph (29 km/h).

In some European countries, 25 km/h is the limit. If you go above these speeds, you could get fined or have your scooter confiscated.

Wear protective gear like helmets and pads—even if it’s not required. Use safe riding techniques, signal when turning, stay alert, and never use your phone while riding.

Knowing the local laws helps you avoid legal headaches and cuts down on the risk of serious accidents.

When To Upgrade or Buy a Faster Scooter

iScooter iX7 Pro Off-road Electric Scooter, 2000W Motor, 50Miles Long Range

Sometimes, tweaks and upgrades just aren’t enough. If your current scooter hits its limits, you might need to consider a faster model or a proper upgrade.

Know When It’s Time to Move On

If your scooter struggles to hit or hold its top speed—even after you inflate the tires, check the battery, and lighten your load—it probably means the motor or controller isn’t up to the job.

Frequent battery drains, overheating, or slow acceleration can all mean your scooter’s parts are wearing out. If you rely on your scooter for daily commuting and it can’t keep up with traffic, that’s a safety problem.

Upgrading older scooters often costs as much as buying one with better specs. Newer scooters usually have higher-rated motors (over 500W), improved battery life, and safer braking systems.

Signs You May Need an Upgrade:

• You keep hitting the top speed limit and it’s just not enough.
• Your scooter loses power quickly, even on short rides.
• Steep hills or rough terrain slow you down way too much.

If your scooter can’t keep up even after basic improvements, it might be time to look at faster, more efficient models. Don’t be afraid to shop around—sometimes, moving on is the best way to get the speed you want.

Scooters from iScooter come with many of these essential features built in—no extra upgrades or mods needed. You get more power, better range, and smarter design right out of the box.

Final Thoughts

Speeding up your electric scooter isn’t just about power—it’s also about understanding what your scooter can handle. With the right upgrades and tweaks, you can boost your top speed safely and easily. Just remember to balance performance with safety.

Whether you’re upgrading your battery, unlocking firmware, or just inflating your tires the right way, small changes can lead to noticeable gains. Choose the method that works best for your needs, and you’ll be cruising faster in no time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I increase the speed of my electric scooter?

Try upgrading the battery or swapping out the motor for something with more power. Also, check your tire pressure regularly—it’s surprising how much that can help.

Cut down on extra weight if you can. Some scooters let you adjust speed settings through software or a manufacturer’s app, which is pretty handy.

Is a 15 mph speed too fast for an electric scooter?

Fifteen mph is the usual top speed for a lot of electric scooters, and most people find it safe enough for city rides.

Still, it might feel quick, especially if you’re new or in a crowd. Don’t forget your helmet, and maybe double-check your city’s scooter speed limits just in case.

How do I remove the speed limiter on an electric scooter?

Some scooters let you take off the speed limiter by resetting the controller’s software or using a mobile app. Others make you open up the scooter and disconnect wires, which isn’t for everyone.

Heads up: removing the limiter can void your warranty and might not even be legal where you live.

Can electric scooters go faster?

Yeah, some scooters can go faster than the default settings. If you upgrade the motor, throw in a better battery, or tweak the controller, you’ll probably see more speed.

Just know that not every scooter can handle these changes, and you’ll burn through battery life faster at higher speeds.

How to make an e-scooter charge faster?

Stick with the charger that came with your scooter. If fast charging’s an option, grab a compatible charger recommended by the brand.

Charging quickly can make the battery heat up, so avoid plugging in when it’s already hot out.

How can battery improvements lead to a faster electric scooter?

If you use a battery with higher voltage, the motor gets more power. That extra juice can really boost your scooter’s speed and acceleration.

High-quality lithium-ion batteries deliver electricity more efficiently. They also handle higher output, so your scooter can keep up its top speed for longer.

Before you swap anything out, check if the scooter’s electronics can handle the upgraded battery. You don’t want to fry anything important.