Guide To The Fastest Electric Scooters in 2021

Woman riding electric scooter fast

In today’s modern society, time is a valuable commodity. So being able to get from A to B quickly and efficiently is important. Electric scooters are a great ‘last mile’ solution for people who want to get to and from public transport fast. Electric scooters are the answer to this dilemma because they are:

  • Light
  • Small
  • Portable
  • Fast
  • Fun to ride

Electric scooters have become more popular in recent years thanks to them being easy to use and low maintenance compared to other modes of transportation. They are comfortable and lightweight, and some models are foldable, making them easy to store away when they’re not in use.

The National Association of City Transportation Officials 2018 report showed that e-scooters had overtaken e-bikes as the most popular form of shared transport in the United States.

There are a wide variety of electric scooters on the market which range in speed, price, design, durability and many other features.

This is a guide to helping you choose the fastest electric scooter for you!

How fast do electric scooters go?

That depends on the brand and make of the scooter, but the average top speed is around 25-50 km/h. This isn’t an issue for most people as it’s still quicker than going by foot, and less exhausting than going by bike.

The fastest electric scooter developed is the Rion Motors e-scooter. With a carbon fiber frame and a 5000-watt motor, it can reach speeds of up to 96 km/h. However, given the strict speed restrictions in Australia, there’s no way you’d be able to go that fast on roads here.

What factors impact e-scooter top speed?

There are a number of factors that influence e-scooter top speed. These can be technical aspects of the scooter, such as engine wattage or battery power, but also other factors such as the weight of the rider, the tires and the terrain.

The rider’s weight

The heavier the person, the harder it is for the scooter to reach top speeds. The motor and the battery will have to use more power to push the scooter. Most manufacturers will specify the maximum weight capacity that a scooter can handle.

The battery life of the e-scooter will also drain quicker with a heavier rider because the motor has to work harder to reach its top speed.

Make sure to select a scooter that has a maximum weight capacity well above your own so you don’t have to worry about maximizing its speed potential.

The terrain type

If you spend most of your time riding your electric scooter through city streets, terrain shouldn’t impact your speed much at all.

However, e-scooters don’t fare as well on dirt tracks as they will sink further into the ground, and rocks and bumps will naturally slow the speed. The motor will be working harder to reach high speeds on these types of surfaces.

Steep hills will also slow down an e-scooter, especially if the motor size is small. Luckily Australia is quite a flat country, but this is something to keep in mind.

If you plan to take your electric scooter off-road, choose a model that is designed to handle different terrain. You’ll need a scooter with a powerful battery and motor.

Low battery

If you use an electric toothbrush, you’ll notice it’s less powerful when it starts flashing red, telling you that it needs to be charged. It’s the same with an electric scooter - it will power down to stop the battery getting drained.

Avoid regularly running your battery down to empty as it’s better for the scooter’s longevity. If you ride your electric scooter every day, we recommend charging it overnight, so it’s fully charged for the next day.

Tires

Taller tires generally increase the top speed of a scooter but will decrease its steep slope ability. A scooter’s ground clearance will also increase, so going over potholes, bumps, curbs and off-road terrain will be easier to handle. Shorter tires will help you get up hills but will lower the top speed. Tire width will also have an effect on the scooter’s ability to grip the road as wide tires will increase traction.

Man riding electric scooter City

Are electric scooters safe?

Every time you leave your house you need to think about your safety. Whether you’re getting in your car or walking down the street, you need to be aware of your surroundings. Electric scooters are designed for safety, but the rider has to ensure that they adhere to safety laws such as wearing a helmet, following road signs and being aware of what other vehicles are doing on the road.

If you’re new to riding electric scooters, then start off slowly. Avoid roads with heavy traffic and pedestrians or ride in off-peak times until you get used to it.

Different states in Australia have different laws regarding electric scooter speed or whether they are allowed to be ridden on roads at all. Make sure you know what the laws are in your state or territory to avoid getting a fine.

You can read more about electric scooter laws in Australia here.

Is an electric scooter faster than an electric bike or skateboard?

Electric scooters offer the thrill of a standing riding position like a skateboard, but with the stability that comes with holding on to the handlebars like a bike. They’re convenient and fun to ride, but that doesn’t necessarily make them faster. E-bikes usually have larger wheels so that gives them a slight advantage. However, a test conducted by Electrek showed that despite a 1,000 watt e-bike being the quickest out of all the e-vehicles for a 5 kilometer commute, e-skateboards and e-scooters weren’t that far behind.

Raine electric scooters

Melbourne-based electric scooter company Raine, developed the Raine One, which is one of the fastest electric scooters on the market, with a top speed of 50 km/h (31 mph). In 2019, Raine ran a very successful Kickstarter campaign where they reached their funding goal in just 43 minutes, which is the quickest of any light electric vehicle campaign in history.

What electric scooter features make Raine stand out?

The Raine One electric scooter has three defining features:

  • Speed
  • Safety
  • Style

 

This scooter has the capability to reach a top speed of 50 km/h and a range of 40 km per charge. Its range is one of the things that sets the Raine One apart, with many competitors only offering 10-15 km on a single charge. That means you’ll be able to travel further, making it the perfect 'last mile' solution.

The Raine One is also easily foldable so you won’t be blocking corridors on public transport. When you’re at work you can fold it up and lean it against the wall or keep it under your desk out of harm’s way.

Uphill trips made easier with Raine

If you’re looking for an electric scooter that you can rely on to get you up tough hills, then the Raine One has been designed to do just that. No one wants to get off their scooter halfway up and have to push it the rest of the way up. That defeats the purpose of buying a vehicle with a motor.

The Raine One can tackle inclines of up to 15 degrees, making it one of the best electric scooters for uphill commuting.

You can read more about the best uphill electric scooter here.

Weight, price and safety factors

Fast electric scooters are generally heavier due to a bigger motor, but there are scooters on the market that are built with lighter frames. The Raine One is able to reach speeds of up to 50km/h and get up hills with a 15-degree incline, but only weighs 12 kg due to its light, yet strong carbon fiber frame. That’s better than some ride-on lawn mowers!

Price is another factor with uphill electric scooters tending to be more expensive due to their increased power capacity. The Raine One is currently available for $1,049 USD (30% off the RRP), making it considerably cheaper than other fast electric scooters.

Safety is also critical when choosing a fast electric scooter. You need a vehicle that has brakes that you know won’t fail you when you need them most. The Raine One has a front disc-brake and rear ABS braking, so you can slow down and feel safe doing so in all conditions. It also has rear regenerative braking, which will help conserve power as you ride and extend your riding time.

How does the Raine One electric scooter compare with others on the market?

Everyone has different needs when it comes to transportation. Some people just want the cheapest option, others opt for the safest, and then there’s wanting the best. Here’s a comparison between the Raine One and two other popular electric scooters on the market – the Xiaomi M365 and the Segway Ninebot KickScooter MAX.

A little information about the Xiaomi M365

This is one of the most popular and best-selling electric scooters on the market. It’s built with an aerospace-grade aluminium but is lightweight and is also foldable. It’s easy to store and carry.

You can read our review of the Xiaomi M365 here.

A little information about the Segway Ninebot KickScooter MAX

Made by Segway, this company is familiar with making products for people that will get them zipping around quickly. The Ninebot is great for long distances and is built for all terrains and journeys.

You can read our review of Ninebot Max here.

Weight

Remember earlier we discussed that when choosing the right electric scooter, you should look for one that won’t slow down due to your weight? Raine One allows a person up to 120 kg to ride it comfortably, whereas Xiaomi M365 and Ninebot both have maximum rider weights of just 100 kg.

In terms of weight of the actual scooter itself, Raine One is the lightest, which makes it easier to carry up the stairs or onto public transport. The Raine One weighs 12 kg with Xiaomi M365 not far behind at 12.5 kg. The Ninebot, however, is far heavier and weighs 18.7 kg.

Speed

If you’ve got the need for speed, then the Raine One is your go-to e-scooter. With a maximum speed of 50 km/h, it’s a far speedier electric scooter than the Xiaomi M365 or the Ninebot which both have a top speed of 25 km/h.

At double the speed, the Raine One has been built with user safety in mind to make sure you are no more at risk than if you were on a scooter travelling at a lower speed. This is due to its ABS suspension brakes and LED lights to help you get around when it’s dark.

Range

When it comes to range, the Ninebot e-scooter wins out with 64 km. The Xiaomi M365 has a 30 km range, while the Raine One has 40 km.

What are the benefits of long-range e-scooters?

  • Longer ride time
  • Recharge less frequently
  • More reliable and convenient 

No one wants to recharge their scooter after they’ve just gone around the block a few times. So if you spend a lot of time riding your electric scooter, then it’s worth investing in a scooter that you won’t have to recharge often. You don’t want to be left stranded in the rain pushing your scooter home.

You can read more about the best long range electric scooters here.

Man riding electric scooter in City

Incline

Remember that going uphill affects the speed of a scooter considerably due to the motor power. The Xiaomi M365 is not ideal for steep hills with its 250W motor. While it can go up an incline of up to 14 degrees, it loses power as it tries to go up. The Ninebot on the other hand has a more powerful motor but less incline capability, only going up inclines of 11.3 degrees. However, the motor is a powerful 350W.

The Raine One is definitely the best for going uphill up to 15 degrees, making it the best choice for riders looking for a scooter for everyday commuting.

Price

The Raine One electric scooter is available to preorder for $1,049 USD (approximately $1,773 AUD). Some other scooters on the market such as the Xiaomi M365 will set you back around $649 AUD or the Ninebot MAX at around $1199 AUD. The Raine One may seem expensive in comparison to some models, but its speed, durability and safety outperform the competition by far.

Final Words

Electric scooters are a fun and easy way to get around town, whether you need to get to a meeting or get to the train station, it’s a great 'last mile' solution.

There are a range of things that need to be considered before purchasing an electric scooter with speed being a major factor. It’s also important to think about the range, weight and safety of the electric scooter. If you need to ride around at night, then looking for a scooter with bright, LED lighting is important.

As discussed above, there are a number of factors that affect speed including the weight of a person, terrain, battery life and tires. We recommend considering all of these factors before you commit to buying your electric scooter.

FAQ – Fastest electric scooter

Q: Is 15 mph fast for an electric scooter?

A: The average speed of electric scooters is around 15 mph (24 km/h). Many people are fine to not travel any faster than this on the road, but you can get e-scooters that can reach much higher speeds. For example, the Raine One has a top speed of 50 km/h (31 mph), which is double the average speed.

Q: What is the fastest electric scooter under $1000?

A: There are plenty of electric scooters that can reach speeds between 15-30 mph (24-38 km/h) that are under $1000. If you want a decent e-scooter that’s fast however, you’ll generally have to pay a bit more. Fast electric scooters have more powerful motors and have to be built for speed without compromising on weight.

Q: What is the fastest electric scooter in the world?

A: Currently the fastest electric scooter in the world is the Dualtron X which can reach speeds of 55 mph (88.5 km/h).

Q: How fast can an electric scooter charge?

A: It depends on the model of your electric scooter as the charging time can vary greatly. For example, the Raine One e-scooter takes 2.5 hours for a half-charge or 5 hours for a full charge. Some electric scooters can take 12-24 hours to fully recharge.


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