Want More Speed from Your Electric Scooter?
The popularity of electric scooters is a result of their compactness and convenience, but one question everyone eventually asks themselves is whether they can make their scooter go faster. You may want to reduce your travel time, improve hill climbing, or simply take your ride faster; the reasons are just the tip of the iceberg, and there are a few ways to enhance the performance, although not all of them are safe and not all are legal.
So how do you actually make your electric scooter faster?
This ultimate guide will cover mechanical adjustments, software updates, and intelligent additions that will allow you to unlock the maximum capacity of your scooter as well as awareness of what is safe and what is not. These tricks are common to most of the famous scooters that are sold in the UK and the rest of the world.
First, understand what controls speed.
Before making any changes, it’s essential to understand what determines your scooter’s top speed. These factors include
- Motor Power (Wattage)
The majority of electric scooters have power of 250W to 800W. Greater wattage provides an increase in the torque and speed of your scooter. - Battery Voltage
Greater voltage—greater power to the motor. The most common standard battery is a 36V affair, but the more hardcore you want to get, the better the performance scooter will use a 48V (or even 60V) system. - Controller Limits
The scooter’s control board is programmed to limit current flow. This is often where the speed cap is enforced. - Rider Weight and Terrain
Heavier riders or steep hills will naturally slow things down. Lightweight riders on smooth surfaces will see better performance.
Knowing these variables will help you decide the right upgrade path.
Easy Ways to Make Your Scooter Faster
Let’s look at some reliable and effective ways to boost your scooter’s speed—starting with the simplest.
1. Switch to Sport Mode (If Available)
Many newer scooters come with built-in speed modes—typically Eco, Standard, and Sport.
Sport mode removes acceleration and speed restrictions, offering the full power output of the motor.
To activate it:
- Turn on the scooter
- Press the power button or mode switch 1–3 times
- Check the display for mode confirmation
This method is manufacturer-approved and doesn’t void warranty or pose risks.
2. Reduce Weight and Drag
Simple adjustments can improve your scooter’s performance:
- Empty the deck or basket of unnecessary items
- Wear tighter-fitting clothes to reduce wind resistance
- Check for mud buildup or brake drag on the wheels
- Inflate tyres to optimal PSI for smoother rolling
These tweaks may only gain you a few km/h, but they help maintain peak performance.
3. Upgrade to a Larger Battery
Consider going with a higher voltage battery, which could allow boosting the speed and the torque, in case your scooter can.
For example:
- Replacing 36V with 48V may yield speed increase of 1020 percent
- Replace the batteries that do not match the motor and the controller of your scooter
- Fix the battery in a place that is not prone to movement or shorts
Most high-performance scooters can have their batteries upgraded *see compatibility with your scooter’s brand or local retailer.
4. Unlock the Speed Limiter
There are scooters with a software speed limiter. You can remove or modify it to open the real potential maximum of your scooter.
Steps vary by model:
- Connect to the scooter’s mobile app
- Look for “speed limit” or “performance mode.”
- Disable the limiter or switch to max setting
- Alternatively, flash custom firmware via Bluetooth
Note that disabling the limiter can cause the warranty to be rendered invalid and also make the use of unlocked rides on the roads of the United Kingdom illegal. Always abide by the law, which may be different where a scooter is customized.
5. Upgrade the Controller
The amount of power on the motor is controlled by the controller on your scooter. Top speed can be increased by replacement with a more powerful or programmable one.
Benefits of controller upgrade:
- Higher current output
- Customizable acceleration curves
- Ability to support larger motors or batteries
This is a more advanced mod and may require soldering or new housing. It’s best done by experienced DIYers or e-mobility service centers that specialize in scooters.
Additional Performance Factors
Speed isn’t everything — performance also includes torque, hill climbing, and overall ride quality. Here’s how different upgrades contribute:
| everything— | everything— | Improves Acceleration | Helps Hill Climb | Affects Ride Quality |
| Higher Voltage Battery | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Larger Motor (Wattage) | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Controller Upgrade | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Tyre Change | No | No | No | Yes |
| Suspension Upgrade | No | No | No | Yes |
| Lubrication or Maintenance | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
This can be used to give priority to what is important to your riding style.
Important Legal and Safety Considerations
Modifying the speed of your scooter can be a fun thing to do, but it is something that has actual risks as well when it comes to nations such as the UK.
UK Road Law on Speed Mods
In the UK:
- Privately owned scooters cannot be used on public roads—regardless of speed
- Modified scooters cannot be used in rental trials
- Police may seize illegal scooters and issue fines
- Uninsured riders may be held liable in case of accidents
Always test speed modifications on private land only, and understand the legal consequences.
Don’t Sacrifice Safety for Speed
Higher speeds increase the need for:
- Stronger brakes
- Better suspension
- Helmets and protective gear
Stable frame and tyres
In case your scooter was not made to reach more than 25 km/h, accelerating its speed without making it more secure may cause unsafe conditions. Think about moving to a performance standard scooter rather than trying to wring out extra power out of one that is entry level.
Performance Upgrade Summary
Here’s a simple overview comparing stock scooters versus modified or upgraded ones:
| Performance Factor | Stock Scooter | Fully Upgraded Scooter |
| Top Speed | 20 to 25 km/h | 30 to 50 km/h |
| Acceleration | Moderate | Fast |
| Hill Climb Ability | Limited | Strong |
| Range | Standard | Extended |
| Safety Features | Basic | Upgraded |
| Legal for Road Use | Yes (if stock and compliant) | No (if modified) |
These are general figures and will vary by brand and model.
Best High-Speed Scooter Alternatives
Instead of heavy modifications, consider buying a faster scooter made for speed and safety. Here are some popular options:
- Apollo Ghost
- Top speed: 55 km/h
- Dual motors: 800W each
- Full suspension system
- Kaabo Mantis 10
- Top speed: 60 km/h
- Hydraulic brakes
- 60V 24Ah battery
- Dualtron Mini
- Top speed: 50 km/h
- 52V 17.5Ah battery
- Portable and powerful
You will be able to check high-performance models of reliable retailers that are focused on scooters and provide a complete scan of tuned riding.
Final Word: Speed Comes with Responsibility
You can make your electric scooter faster, and on some occasions, this can be easy. There is a lot to squeeze out of performance, including firmware updates and battery optimization.
However, the faster one goes, the greater the risk.
Test on any private land at all times, upgrade properly, and never exceed the capacity that your scooter is built for. And in case you want the scooters that can go fast yet remain safe, then upgrading to a performance model is an option you should be considering.
The best and safest way to a quicker ride is to select the proper scooter according to your needs and interests.