Your electric scooter probably has more speed potential than you think. Most manufacturers deliberately cap top speed well below what the motor and battery can actually deliver. They do it for liability reasons, regulatory compliance, and to protect components from being pushed too hard by riders who don’t know what they’re doing.
But you do know what you’re doing — or at least you want to learn. That’s why you’re here.
This guide covers seven methods to make an electric scooter faster, organized from free and easy to advanced and expensive. Each method includes realistic speed gains, costs, and risks so you can decide what makes sense for your setup. The easiest way to increase speed is optimizing tire pressure and removing the speed limiter. For bigger gains, a battery or controller upgrade will get you there — but the stakes go up too.
Let’s get into it.
Quick Overview: 7 Methods Compared
Here’s the full picture at a glance. We’ll break each method down in detail below.
| Method | Cost | Difficulty | Speed Gain | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tire pressure optimization | Free | Easy | 1–3 km/h | None |
| Remove speed limiter | Free | Medium | 5–15 km/h | Warranty void |
| Weight reduction | Free | Easy | 1–2 km/h | None |
| Riding technique | Free | Easy | 2–4 km/h | None |
| Firmware flash | Free–$20 | Advanced | 5–20 km/h | Brick risk |
| Battery upgrade | $100–400 | Advanced | 5–15 km/h | High if wrong specs |
| Motor/controller upgrade | $150–500 | Expert | 10–30 km/h | Warranty void, safety |
Method 1 — Optimize Tire Pressure (Free, 5 Minutes)
This is the easiest speed gain you’ll ever get. Under-inflated tires create more rolling resistance, which means your motor has to work harder to maintain speed. That wasted energy could be propelling you forward instead of squishing rubber into the pavement.
Most electric scooters with pneumatic tires run best between 40–50 PSI. Check your owner’s manual for the exact recommendation — it’s usually printed on the tire sidewall too. A basic floor pump with a pressure gauge is all you need.
The difference between 30 PSI and 50 PSI is genuinely noticeable: expect 1–3 km/h more top speed and noticeably better acceleration. The tradeoff is a slightly harsher ride, since firmer tires absorb fewer bumps.
If you’re running solid (honeycomb or airless) tires, this method doesn’t apply to you. Solid tires have higher rolling resistance by nature, which is one reason many speed-focused riders stick with pneumatics.
Tip: Check pressure weekly. Tires lose 1–2 PSI per week naturally, and cold weather accelerates the loss. A $10 portable pump pays for itself fast.
Method 2 — Remove the Speed Limiter
This is where things get interesting. Almost every consumer electric scooter ships with a speed limiter — either hardware, software, or both. Removing or bypassing it is the single biggest free speed upgrade available.
Hardware Speed Limiter (Wire)
Some scooters, especially budget Chinese models under $500, use a physical wire between the throttle and controller that caps the output signal. You can identify it by opening the deck panel and looking for a cable with a clip-style connector near the controller board.
Disconnecting this wire typically removes the cap immediately. The motor runs at whatever speed the controller and battery can deliver. On a 350W scooter with a 36V battery, this alone can unlock an extra 5–10 km/h.
Software/Firmware Speed Limiter
Most modern scooters use software-based speed limiting. How you access it depends on your scooter model:
- P-Settings on LCD displays — Scooters using common displays like the QS-S4 or LT01 have adjustable P-Settings (usually P8 or P9) that set the top speed. Changing the value from the factory default is often all it takes.
- App-based controls — Xiaomi M365/Pro and Ninebot series scooters can be unlocked through their companion apps or third-party apps like m365 Tools.
- Custom firmware — For Xiaomi and Ninebot riders, ScooterHacking.org offers custom firmware that removes the electric scooter speed limiter entirely and lets you set your own max speed.
⚠️ Warning: Removing the speed limiter voids your warranty on virtually every brand. It may also make your scooter illegal for public road use depending on where you live (more on that below).
Method 3 — Reduce Weight for Better Acceleration
Physics doesn’t care about your brand loyalty — less mass means less energy needed to accelerate and maintain speed. Every 10 kg of extra weight (rider + scooter + gear) costs roughly 1–2 km/h in top speed on a typical 350W scooter.
Start with the scooter itself. Remove accessories you don’t need: baskets, phone mounts with heavy clamps, extra mirrors, aftermarket mudguards. If you’re serious, look into swapping steel bolts and brackets for aluminum equivalents. Each piece is small, but they add up.
Then look at yourself. If you’re riding with a heavy backpack loaded with a laptop and books, that’s easily 5–8 kg pulling you down. If top speed matters for a particular ride, leave the bag at home.
This method won’t transform your scooter, but combined with tire pressure optimization, you’re looking at a free 2–5 km/h improvement with zero risk.
Method 4 — Improve Your Riding Technique
How you ride matters more than most people realize. Small changes to posture and route selection can squeeze extra speed out of the same hardware.
Body position: At speeds above 25 km/h, wind resistance becomes a significant factor. Tucking slightly — bending your knees and leaning forward — reduces your frontal area and lets you cut through the air more efficiently. You don’t need to go full MotoGP. Even a slight crouch helps.
Smooth acceleration: Slamming the throttle from a stop wastes battery current on heat rather than speed. Progressive acceleration keeps the motor in a more efficient RPM range and preserves battery voltage — which means more power available when you actually want top speed.
Route selection: Flat, well-paved roads make a real difference. A scooter that hits 30 km/h on smooth asphalt might only manage 25 km/h on rough pavement with cracks and patches.
Use sport mode: If your scooter has multiple riding modes (Eco, Standard, Sport), make sure you’re in Sport mode when you want maximum speed. This seems obvious, but a surprising number of riders forget they left it in Eco.
Method 5 — Flash Custom Firmware
Custom firmware is the most powerful free method to increase electric scooter speed, but it’s not for everyone. This is where you flash modified software onto your scooter’s controller to override factory settings.
Who is this for? Primarily riders with Xiaomi M365/Pro/1S, Ninebot Max G30, and other scooters supported by the modding community. If your scooter isn’t in the supported list, this method isn’t an option.
What you can change: Maximum speed, acceleration curve, regenerative braking strength, motor power constant, and battery current limits. A Xiaomi M365 limited to 25 km/h can be pushed to 32+ km/h with the right firmware settings. A Ninebot Max G30 can go from 30 km/h to 35+ km/h.
Tools you’ll need:
- A smartphone with Bluetooth
- An app like m365 Tools, Xiaomi Flasher, or the ScooterHacking.org firmware generator
- 10–15 minutes and a calm hand
The process typically involves connecting via Bluetooth, uploading the custom firmware, and waiting for the flash to complete. Do not turn off your scooter or close the app during the flash.
⚠️ Risks: A failed flash can brick your scooter — meaning it won't turn on at all until you reflash the stock firmware (which requires a second device in some cases). Always back up your original firmware before flashing. This also voids your warranty and may be illegal for road use in your region.
Method 6 — Upgrade the Battery
Here’s where the real gains start — and where costs go up. A scooter battery upgrade from a lower voltage pack to a higher one directly increases the motor’s maximum RPM, which translates to higher top speed.
The math is simple: Moving from a 36V to a 48V battery increases your voltage by 33%, which can boost top speed by 20–30%. A scooter that topped out at 25 km/h on 36V might reach 32–35 km/h on 48V.
Compatibility is critical. Your controller must support the higher voltage. Plugging a 48V battery into a 36V controller will fry the controller, damage wiring, or worse. Check your controller’s voltage rating before buying anything. Most budget controllers are rated for a single voltage — upgrading the battery often means upgrading the controller too.
Expect to spend $100–400 depending on capacity (Ah) and brand. Stick with reputable lithium-ion packs from known suppliers. Cheap no-name batteries with inflated capacity claims are a fire risk — literally.
⚠️ Warning: An incorrectly matched battery can cause overheating, swelling, or thermal runaway (fire). If you're not confident working with lithium battery packs, have a professional handle the install. This is not the place to wing it.
Method 7 — Upgrade Motor or Controller
This is the most extreme method to make electric scooter go faster, and it’s reserved for riders with real mechanical and electrical skills. Swapping out the motor, the controller, or both can transform a commuter scooter into something significantly faster.
Controller upgrade: A higher-amperage controller sends more current to the motor, which means more torque and potentially higher top speed. Going from a 15A controller to a 25A controller on a 500W motor gives a massive improvement in acceleration and hill-climbing, and often bumps top speed by 5–10 km/h.
Motor swap: Replacing a 350W hub motor with a 500W or 800W unit changes the entire character of the scooter. Acceleration gets dramatically stronger, and top speed can jump 10–30 km/h depending on the motor rating and battery voltage.
Before you buy: Verify that the new motor fits your scooter’s wheel hub and mounting points. Check that the motor voltage matches your battery. Make sure the controller can deliver enough current for the new motor. And consider whether your frame, brakes, and tires can handle the extra speed safely.
Budget $150–500 for parts, plus tools and time. This is a weekend project at minimum, and you may need to fabricate brackets or adapt wiring harnesses.
Safety First: What to Consider Before Going Faster
Speed is fun. Uncontrolled speed is not. Before you apply any of these methods, run through this checklist.
Brakes: Can your braking system handle the extra speed? Most budget scooters come with drum brakes or basic disc brakes designed for 25 km/h. If you’re pushing 40+ km/h, you need quality hydraulic disc brakes with fresh pads. Stopping distance increases exponentially with speed — doubling your speed roughly quadruples your stopping distance.
Protection: A helmet isn’t optional at any speed, but at 30+ km/h you should seriously consider a full-face helmet, gloves, and knee/elbow pads. Road rash at 40 km/h is no joke.
Battery drain: Faster speeds drain your battery significantly faster. If you modify a scooter with a 30 km range to go 40% faster, expect your range to drop to roughly 18–22 km. Plan accordingly.
Component stress: Faster speeds put more stress on bearings, axles, the stem, and the folding mechanism. Budget scooters weren’t engineered for sustained high-speed riding. Inspect your scooter regularly for cracks, loose bolts, and bearing play.
Legal Speed Limits by Region
Modifying your scooter’s speed can push it outside the legal definition of an «electric scooter» in your jurisdiction, which may reclassify it as a moped or motor vehicle — requiring registration, insurance, or a license.
United States: Laws vary by state. Most states cap electric scooter speed at 15–30 mph (24–48 km/h) for public road use. California, for example, limits e-scooters to 15 mph on bike paths and 25 mph on roads. Exceeding these limits with a modified scooter is a gray area that most riders ignore, but it’s a liability risk if you’re involved in an accident.
European Union: Most EU countries follow the 25 km/h speed limit for e-scooters on public roads. Going above this legally reclassifies the vehicle and may require type approval, insurance, and registration. Germany and France enforce this strictly.
United Kingdom: Electric scooters are currently illegal on public roads, bike lanes, and pavements. They can only be ridden legally on private land. The government has been running rental trials but has not yet legalized private e-scooter use.
Bottom line: Modifying your scooter for extra speed is your business on private property. On public roads, know your local regulations before riding.
FAQ — People Also Ask
Can you make any electric scooter faster?
In most cases, yes. At minimum, optimizing tire pressure, reducing weight, and adjusting your riding posture will give any scooter a small speed boost. For bigger gains, you’ll need a scooter with an accessible speed limiter or the ability to swap components — which covers the majority of models on the market.
Is it illegal to remove the speed limiter?
Removing the speed limiter itself isn’t illegal in most places. However, riding a scooter that exceeds your region’s legal speed limit on public roads is. In the EU, that’s 25 km/h. In the US, it varies by state. You’re responsible for knowing your local laws.
How fast can a modified electric scooter go?
It depends on the base scooter and how far you go with modifications. A modified Xiaomi M365 can reach 32–38 km/h. A budget scooter with a full battery and controller swap can hit 50–60 km/h. Purpose-built performance scooters like the Dualtron or Wolf Warrior can exceed 80–100 km/h with modifications.
Will making my scooter faster void the warranty?
Almost certainly, yes. Any modification beyond tire pressure and weight reduction — including firmware flashing, battery swaps, or controller upgrades — will void the manufacturer’s warranty. If you’re still within warranty and relying on it, stick to methods 1, 3, and 4.
What is the fastest electric scooter you can buy?
As of 2026, the fastest production electric scooters include the Dualtron X2 (reaching around 100 km/h), the Kaabo Wolf King GTR (approximately 96 km/h), and the NAMI Burn-E 2 Max (about 95 km/h). These are high-performance machines with price tags above $3,000.
Wrapping Up
If you want to know how to make an electric scooter faster, the smart approach is to start free and work your way up. Tire pressure, weight reduction, riding technique, and speed limiter removal cost nothing and carry minimal risk. From there, firmware flashing offers serious gains if your scooter supports it.
For the biggest speed increases, a battery or motor/controller upgrade will deliver — but they require real investment, technical know-how, and an honest assessment of whether your brakes and frame can handle it safely.
Start with Method 1 today. You might be surprised how much speed is already hiding in your tires.