You saw that e-scooter advertised as "500 W nominal / 1,000 W peak" and got confused about which number matters? Here's the truth: during traffic enforcement and for legal classification, only nominal power counts. CONTRAN Resolution No. 996/2023, which took full effect across Brazil on January 1, 2026, makes this clear: e-scooters and electric scooters are limited to a maximum of 1,000 W nominal and 32 km/h (20 mph) at manufacturing. Exceeding these limits reclassifies your equipment as a moped, requiring license plates, driver's licenses, and registration — plus heavy fines. Maringá follows this federal rule along with Municipal Law No. 11.981/2025, which adds speed and circulation restrictions. In this technical guide, we explain the difference between these two power ratings, why nominal power is the one that matters legally, and how to verify your equipment before you ride.

What is nominal power and why it matters legally

Nominal power is the continuous, sustained energy your scooter's motor delivers during normal operation. It's the number listed in the technical specifications, manufacturer's manual, and motor nameplate — and it's exactly the data CONTRAN Resolution No. 996/2023 uses to classify your equipment.

To be classified as a low-speed electric scooter (meaning no driver's license, license plate, or registration required), your motor cannot exceed 1,000 W nominal. This limit is objective and non-negotiable. Any equipment with nominal power above 1,000 W is classified as a moped and falls into a different regulatory category with much stricter requirements.

Why? Because nominal power reflects the real, safe performance of your equipment — it's what you'll rely on every day riding the bike lanes in Maringá, respecting the 20 km/h (12 mph) speed limit on bike paths (per Municipal Law No. 11.981/2025).

Peak power: the confusing number at purchase time

Peak power (or maximum power) is the maximum energy your motor can deliver for just a few seconds, usually during initial acceleration or extreme effort situations. It's an impressive number — and that's exactly why manufacturers highlight it in ads.

A scooter with a 500 W nominal motor can advertise "1,000 W peak" because, technically, it can reach that peak for 2 to 5 seconds. But legally? It doesn't matter. The law doesn't look at peak — it only reads the nominal power stated in the technical specifications.

The problem: many buyers see the peak number, think that's the real performance, and later get fined for operating illegally-classified equipment. In enforcement operations in São Paulo that began in October 2026, agents are already issuing fines for this type of confusion, starting at R$ 130.16 (approx. USD 26) for speed and circulation violations.

How traffic enforcement differentiates nominal from peak power

When a traffic officer approaches you in Maringá (or anywhere in Brazil), they don't turn on your scooter to measure power on the spot. Enforcement is based on three documents:

  • Motor technical specification sheet: the official document that comes with your equipment, showing nominal motor power in watts (W).
  • Manufacturer's manual: should clearly detail the motor's continuous power output.
  • Nameplate on the motor housing: often engraved or printed, indicating nominal power.

If these documents show nominal power above 1,000 W, your scooter will automatically be classified as a moped. Fines for improper classification can reach R$ 880.41 (approx. USD 176) (Article 193 of the Brazilian Traffic Code), not counting other penalties for driving without a license or registration.

That's why buying from a specialized retailer like Patinep Store in Maringá matters: we verify nominal power and provide legal documentation from day one.