Choosing an electric scooter battery pack is mostly about matching voltage and capacity to your motor and riding style.
- For most city commuters, a 36V or 48V pack with 10–15Ah is enough for daily rides.
- For heavy riders, hills or delivery work, 48V–60V with 15–25Ah is more realistic.
- High-performance or long-range scooters often use 60V–72V with 20Ah+ packs.
Below we break down what 36V, 48V, 60V and 72V really mean, how to estimate range from battery capacity, and how a manufacturer like SAFTEC helps you pick the right electric scooter battery pack for your model or fleet.
What Does Voltage Mean in an Electric Scooter Battery Pack?
Voltage (V) tells you how much electrical “push” the battery can deliver to the motor. In practice:
- Higher voltage = higher potential power and speed (with the right controller and motor).
- Lower voltage = gentler performance, often lighter and cheaper, ideal for basic commuting.
Most e-scooter systems are built around a fixed nominal voltage platform, such as:
- electric scooter battery 36V (10S lithium): entry-level, city commuting
- electric scooter battery 48V (13S lithium): mid-range, better climbing and acceleration
- electric scooter battery 60V (16S lithium): high-performance and delivery scooters
- electric scooter battery 72V (20S lithium): performance or off-road models
Important: you cannot freely change voltage on an existing scooter. The battery pack, controller, motor and charger are designed as a set. If you change voltage, the whole system must be re-engineered.
How to Match 36V / 48V / 60V / 72V to Motor Power and Riding Style
Below is a practical way to think about each voltage level. Power ranges are typical, not strict limits.
36V – Lightweight City Commuters
- Typical motor power: 250–500W
- Use cases:
- Short city commutes on flat roads
- Entry-level sharing scooters
- Occasional riders or students
- Pros:
- Lower cost
- Lighter pack and scooter
- Gentle, predictable acceleration
- Limitations:
- Limited climbing ability on steep hills
- Lower top speed
- Not ideal for heavy riders or cargo
48V – Balanced Daily Commuters
- Typical motor power: 500–1000W
- Use cases:
- Daily commuters who ride 10–30 km per day
- Cities with moderate hills
- Medium-duty cargo or backpack weight
- Pros:
- Noticeably stronger acceleration vs 36V
- Better hill climbing
- Good balance of cost, speed and range
- Limitations:
- Still not “high-performance” for very steep hills or heavy loads
A 48V lithium ion battery for electric scooter is currently one of the most popular choices, because it gives enough performance for most riders while still keeping the system simple and affordable.
60V – Heavy-Duty and High-Performance Scooters
- Typical motor power: 1000–2000W (sometimes more)
- Use cases:
- Delivery fleets that run many hours per day
- Riders in hilly cities or mixed urban-suburban routes
- Heavier riders or those carrying cargo
- Pros:
- Strong acceleration and climbing power
- Higher sustainable cruising speeds
- Works well with larger capacity packs (20Ah+) for long range
- Limitations:
- Higher system cost
- Heavier pack and beefier hardware
- Needs robust BMS and thermal design
72V – Performance and Specialized Applications
- Typical motor power: 2000W+
- Use cases:
- High-speed scooters and off-road models
- Specialized cargo or patrol scooters
- Enthusiasts who prioritize performance
- Pros:
- Very strong torque and acceleration
- Designed for demanding duty cycles
- Limitations:
- Requires carefully engineered safety systems
- High cost and strict component matching
- Often overkill for normal city commuting
If you are an OEM or fleet operator, voltage selection should start from motor and controller requirements, then the battery pack is designed to match that platform instead of the other way around.
Understanding Capacity: Ah vs Wh and Real-World Range
Voltage defines the system level. Capacity defines how far it can go.
Amp-Hours (Ah) vs Watt-Hours (Wh)
- Ah (amp-hours) – how many hours the pack can, in theory, supply a certain current.
- Wh (watt-hours) – total energy stored:
Wh = Voltage (V) × Capacity (Ah)
Wh is more useful for comparing different voltages. For example:
- 36V 10Ah → 360Wh
- 48V 10Ah → 480Wh
- 60V 10Ah → 600Wh
Even with the same 10Ah, a higher-voltage pack holds more total energy.
How Many Wh Do You Need for Your Range?
Real-world consumption depends on rider weight, speed, terrain, tire type and wind. Many electric scooters fall roughly in this range:
- Light rider / eco mode: ~10–12 Wh per km
- Average rider / normal mode: ~15–18 Wh per km
- Heavy rider / high speed: ~20–25 Wh per km or more
A simple way to estimate range:
Estimated range (km) ≈ Battery Wh ÷ 15–20
Example 1 – 36V Commuter
- Pack: 36V 10Ah → 360Wh
- Average consumption: 15 Wh/km (light city riding)
- Estimated range: 360 ÷ 15 ≈ 24 km
Example 2 – 48V Mid-Range Commuter
- Pack: 48V 15Ah → 720Wh
- Consumption: 18 Wh/km (mixed city, some hills)
- Range: 720 ÷ 18 ≈ 40 km
Example 3 – 60V Delivery Scooter
- Pack: 60V 25Ah → 1500Wh
- Consumption: 22 Wh/km (heavy rider, frequent stop-and-go)
- Range: 1500 ÷ 22 ≈ 68 km
These are only engineering estimates; the real numbers depend on the scooter’s overall design and how it is used. However, they help you quickly judge whether a certain voltage–capacity combination is close to your range target.
Typical Electric Scooter Battery Pack Setups (36V–72V)
Below are some common voltage / capacity configuration examples. As a manufacturer, we use these as a starting point and then fine-tune the details according to the customer’s scooter model, controller, and range requirements.
36V Packs – Entry and Shared Scooters
Typical combinations:
- 36V 7.5–10Ah (270–360Wh)
- 36V 12–15Ah (430–540Wh)
Suitable for:
- Short urban commutes (5–20 km per day)
- Light riders, relatively flat cities
- Rental / sharing scooters where weight and cost are critical
If your scooter is currently using an electric scooter battery 36V, upgrading within this platform usually means increasing Ah (e.g., from 10Ah to 13Ah) without changing voltage.
48V Packs – Most Popular Mid-Range Choice
Typical combinations:
- 48V 10–13Ah (480–624Wh) – compact commuter setups
- 48V 15–20Ah (720–960Wh) – longer range city scooters
The classic 48V lithium ion battery for electric scooter is common in:
- Daily commuters who ride 20–40 km
- Riders who face moderate hills or carry backpacks
- Small delivery scooters in dense urban areas
Many brands choose 48V because:
- It provides noticeably better performance than 36V
- System cost and complexity remain manageable
- Easy to scale Ah up or down for different models
60V Packs – Workhorse for Delivery and Hills
Typical combinations:
- 60V 15–20Ah (900–1200Wh) – mid-range
- 60V 25–30Ah (1500–1800Wh) – high-range fleets
Common use scenarios:
- Delivery fleets running many hours per day
- Cities with steep slopes or long bridges
- Heavy riders or scooters carrying cargo boxes
If you are considering an electric scooter battery 60V for a new model or fleet, the key is to pair it with:
- A robust controller rated for 60V
- Adequate thermal management
- A BMS designed for higher currents and frequent cycling
72V Packs – Performance and Specialty Models
Typical combinations:
- 72V 20–30Ah (1440–2160Wh)
- 72V 30–40Ah (2160–2880Wh)
These packs are usually found in:
- High-speed performance scooters
- Off-road and long-distance touring scooters
- Heavy-duty cargo or patrol applications
When designing an electric scooter battery 72V, emphasis should be on:
- Advanced safety protections (over-current, thermal, isolation)
- Strong mechanical structure to handle vibration and shocks
- High-quality cells and BMS to manage high power discharge
Can You Upgrade to a Higher-Voltage Battery Pack?
Many riders ask whether they can upgrade from a 36V or 48V scooter to a 60V or 72V electric scooter battery pack for more speed.
Short answer: not directly.
Why Voltage Upgrades Are Not Plug-and-Play
If you raise voltage without redesigning the system, you risk:
- Over-voltage damage to the controller and display
- Overheating of the motor and cables
- BMS and charger mismatch, leading to dangerous charging
A safe voltage upgrade requires, at minimum:
- New controller rated for the higher voltage
- Compatible motor and cabling
- Correct charger and properly configured BMS
- Appropriate fuses, connectors and insulation
For most existing scooters, a more realistic approach is:
- Keep the same voltage platform, e.g. 48V
- Upgrade to a higher capacity pack (more Ah / Wh)
- Ensure the new pack physically fits and is approved by the manufacturer
If you are an OEM or fleet owner and want higher voltage for new models, we recommend starting the design with a clean 60V or 72V platform instead of modifying a 36V or 48V system.
Looking for an Electric Scooter Battery Pack Manufacturer?
As a lithium battery manufacturer and supplier, SAFTEC focuses on custom and semi-custom battery packs for electric scooters and other light electric vehicles.
For scooter brands, assemblers and fleet operators, we can support:
- Standard 36V / 48V / 60V / 72V pack platforms
- LiFePO4 or other lithium chemistries according to your design
- Single or dual-battery systems
- Customized capacity options
- From compact commuter packs (e.g. 36V 10Ah)
- To high-energy fleet solutions (e.g. 60V 30Ah, 72V 40Ah)
- Engineering support
- Cell selection and thermal design
- BMS configuration and protection thresholds
- Voltage, capacity and connector matching with your motor/controller
- Pack-level testing and logistics
- Cycle testing, insulation and safety checks
- Export-grade packaging and documentation for shipping
If you need a reliable electric scooter battery pack manufacturer or OEM partner, you can share your target voltage, motor power, range requirements and installation space. Our team will recommend a practical combination of voltage and capacity and design a pack that fits your frame and business model.
FAQ: Voltage and Capacity Choices for Scooter Battery Packs
Is 48V enough for an electric scooter?
For most city commuters and riders under moderate load, 48V is more than enough. It offers stronger acceleration and hill climbing than 36V while keeping weight and cost under control. If your routes are mostly flat and you do not need high speed, a 48V pack with 10–15Ah is a very balanced choice.
What battery pack do I need for a 1000W motor?
Many 1000W scooters use 48V or 60V systems. For occasional commuting, a 48V 15Ah (≈720Wh) pack can work. For heavier riders, hills or delivery-style usage, a 60V pack with 20Ah or more gives better torque and usable range. Always match the pack to the controller voltage specified by the scooter manufacturer.
How many Ah is good for daily commuting?
If you ride 10–20 km per day, 500–700Wh is usually enough, which corresponds roughly to:
- 36V 14–20Ah, or
- 48V 10–15Ah.
If you want extra buffer for detours, cold weather or future battery aging, stepping up to 700–900Wh gives more comfort.
Can I use a 72V battery pack in place of my 48V scooter battery?
No. You cannot put a 72V pack into a 48V scooter without redesigning the entire electrical system. The controller, motor, display and charger are all optimized for 48V. Doing this modification without engineering validation is unsafe and may damage components. For performance upgrades, consult the original scooter manufacturer or work with a battery pack supplier to design a complete, matched system.