Maximum Power Allowed for Electric Scooters Under Brazilian Law
Electric scooter power is regulated by Brazilian federal legislation, not just by speed. CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 establishes that electric scooters are low-speed mobility equipment with a maximum speed limit of 32 km/h (approximately 20 mph). This means the motor and battery must be configured not to exceed this speed, regardless of the equipment's nominal power rating. If you're in Maringá and want to understand exactly what's legal to ride in the city, this guide details everything you need to know.
What does federal law say about electric scooter power?
CONTRAN Resolution 996/2023 does not establish a specific limit in watts or horsepower for the motor. What the law defines is the maximum speed of the equipment: 32 km/h (20 mph). This is the technical limitation that interests traffic authorities.
In practice, scooters with motors ranging from 250W to 500W are common in the market and comply with this resolution, as long as they don't exceed 32 km/h. Equipment that achieves higher speeds is not classified as a simple electric scooter — it may fall into categories requiring a driver's license or vehicle registration.
Electric scooter doesn't need specific power, but rather speed limitation
Here's the point that confuses many people: the law doesn't mention watts or horsepower because what matters is the final result — the speed you can actually reach. A scooter with a powerful motor but electronically limited to 32 km/h is completely legal. A weak scooter that somehow managed to exceed 32 km/h (unlikely, but possible on downhill slopes) would be irregular.
Responsible manufacturers (like the brands we sell at Patinep Store — Foston, Bee Green, and Panda) already deliver equipment with this limitation built in at the factory.
Maringá regulations: municipal limits stricter than federal law
In Maringá, Municipal Law No. 11,981/2025 is even more specific and can be more restrictive than federal regulations. Here in the city, speed limits vary by location:
- Bike paths and bike lanes: maximum 20 km/h (12 mph)
- Sidewalks, plazas, and parks: maximum 6 km/h (4 mph)
- Shared traffic streets: permitted only on roads with speed limits up to 40 km/h (25 mph)
- Fast-traffic roads or high-speed areas: prohibited
That is: even if your scooter has the power to reach 32 km/h (the federal maximum), on Maringá bike paths you must reduce to 20 km/h. This is typically done by controlling the throttle, not by altering the equipment itself.
Mandatory equipment (related to safety, not power)
Federal law and Maringá's municipal law require that every electric scooter have:
- Speed indicator (speedometer)
- Bell or horn
- Nighttime signaling (front and rear lights)
- Mandatory helmet for the rider
These items ensure you're within the law. At Patinep Store, all equipment we sell already comes with these accessories or includes technical assistance to install them.
What happens if the scooter exceeds 32 km/h?
If a scooter manages to exceed 32 km/h (federally permitted maximum speed), it ceases to be classified as low-speed mobility equipment. Depending on its characteristics, it may be classified as a moped, motorcycle, or motorized scooter — and then, requirements like Class A driver's license, mandatory insurance, and vehicle registration come into play.
That's why buying from trusted suppliers matters. Equipment with excessive power or without speed limiters may look faster on the shelf, but later generate legal and insurance problems.