How Fast Do Electric Scooters Go?
Step aside, skateboards, electric bikes, and mopeds.
These days electric scooters are so ubiquitous, you can hardly pass by your neighborhood coffee shop, ATM, or happy hour hotspot without encountering one (or a few).
And for a good reason, e-scooters—as they're called for short—are not just trendy. They're portable, convenient, environmentally friendly, and budget friendly.
Plus, they offer a smooth ride that can help shave minutes off of rides between work, home, the gym, and social gatherings on otherwise traffic-clogged city streets. In short, they're a commuter's dream.
But aside from offering a great riding experience, how fast can electric scooters go?
Here's everything you need to know about scooter speed as you consider buying one for yourself.
How Fast Are Electric Scooters?
Unagi's Model One electric scooter has a max speed of 20 miles per hour (mph), or 25 kilometers per hour (kmh). That's about equivalent to the maximum speed an average cyclist can pedal per hour. The fastest electric scooters on the market exceed 20 mph.
This average biking speed helped us determine what our own electric scooter speed should be. We also factored in the following:
- Our electric scooter's weight
- Our electric scooter's battery size
- How motor vehicles (such as electric scooters) are classified where we ship our electric scooters, and any applicable government regulations in these countries
What Is the Top Speed for Electric Scooters?
While we offer two different electric motor options for our Model One electric scooters (see below), both are equally fast electric scooters, allowing you to achieve the same high speed no matter which motor you choose.
The main difference between these two electric hub motors is how they handle steeper terrain, that is, the riding experience they offer when going up hills.
- The E250 (single electric motor, 250 watts): Ideal for flatter terrain, can handle up to 6-degree inclines (designed for a typical urban commuter)
- The E500 (dual motor, 500 watts): Designed for riding up hills, this powerful electric scooter packs additional torque to handle hillier terrain, up to 15-degree inclines
Both electric motors offer three different riding modes and achieve the same slow, medium, and higher speed ranges. Increase your scooter's speeds as your skills and comfort progress:
- Beginner (first gear): 9 to 11 mph
- Advanced (second gear): 11 to 13 mph
- Professional (this is the top speed): 15 to 17 mph
The electronic reader on the e-scooter handlebar will tell you how fast you're going at all times, ensuring a stable ride.
What Else to Consider When Buying a Fast Electric Scooter
There are other electric scooter features that matter to commuters. Consider these criteria to find the best electric scooters for your needs:
Where will you ride your e-scooter?
While the Model One from Unagi is not an off-road scooter, it has been designed for rides on sidewalks, hard-packed dirt, and short, dense grass.
Braking system: What are the braking specifications?
Both our E250 and E500 electric motors offer braking distance of about 13 feet on dry roads and the braking system used in both e-scooters are electronic brakes (E-ABS).
Portability: Is it foldable?
The Model One is a one-click foldable electric scooter, folding down to 37.80 inches (length), 16.54 inches (width), and 14.96 inches (height).
Battery life, charging, and other specifications
What type of battery does it use?
Both the E250 and E500 Model One scooters come with 9000mah lithium ion batteries.
What is the electric scooter's riding range on a single charge? What is the e-scooter's battery life?
If you're wondering if you'll be able to travel long distances before needing to charge up again, both the E250 and E500 Model One scooters offer a 15.5-mile range on a single charge, with a battery charging time of 4 to 5 hours. Note: The distance you're able to go before needing a charge may decrease if you're using your Model One in dual motor mode or if you've been riding up hills.
Can the electric scooter be used as a kick scooter if the battery runs out?
Not to worry, if you can't charge up in time—Unagi's Model One scooter can be used as a kick scooter.
Does it come with a charger?
Each Model One comes with a charger, and you can always buy an extra charger if needed.
Brake lights and headlights: Does the e-scooter come with a brake light? How about an LED headlight?
For nighttime visibility, both the E250 and E500 Model One e-scooters from Unagi come with 1.8-watt brightness LED headlights and red blinking LED taillights on the scooter's rear.
