Fairings and aerodynamics for a racing scooter

Beyond a certain speed, what primarily limits the performance of an electric scooter is no longer the friction of the tires or the motor, but rather air resistance. And air resistance increases very rapidly with speed. A well-designed fairing helps the air flow around the machine, protects the components, and gives it a sporty appearance. However, it also has its limitations, especially on a vehicle where the rider stands. Here's what you need to understand before adding a fairing to a scooter.

Why air pressure is so important

The force of air resistance, also known as drag, increases with the square of the speed: at double the speed, the drag is four times stronger. And the power required to overcome this drag, which is the force multiplied by the speed, increases with the cube: riding twice as fast requires eight times more power just to overcome air resistance.

That's why, on a very powerful electric scooter, each additional kilometer per hour achieved at top speed becomes increasingly expensive. Doubling the motor's power doesn't double the top speed, not even close. Reducing drag then becomes a way to go faster, or to consume less energy at the same speed.

Drag depends on two things: the frontal area, which is the size of the silhouette when viewed from the front, and the shape, which engineers summarize with a drag coefficient. A shape that allows air to flow smoothly and close properly behind it creates little drag; a shape that creates turbulence creates a lot of drag.

The specific case of electric scooters

On a motorcycle, the rider leans back behind a windscreen. On an electric scooter, the rider stands upright: their body constitutes the largest part of the frontal surface, far more than the scooter itself. The first aerodynamic advantage comes from the rider's position. A rider who crouches down, with their elbows tucked in, significantly reduces their profile when traveling in a straight line.

The fairing affects the rest of the components: the deck, the wheels, the arms, the cables, and the brackets. All these parts with irregular shapes create turbulence. Enclosing them in smooth, continuous surfaces reduces these disturbances. The fairing also protects against splashes and minor impacts.

What a racing fairing does

Our Formula Escooter fairing is a great example. It's designed like a single-seater racing car, and every element has a specific function:

• Front fairings: Air enters through two side intakes and a central air intake, all seamlessly integrated with the side panels
• A flat bottom and a diffuser: Three 3mm plates close off the underside of the machine. Small, screw-on fins, called strakes, direct the airflow, and the rear bottom section rises to form a tunnel
• A double-wing design, featuring a main wing with a 293 mm wingspan and a smaller secondary wing, both mounted on the rear plate.

The fairing attaches to the threaded inserts on the battery compartment, replacing the original side panels, without requiring any drilling of the frame. It is available in two lengths: for Dualtron Thunder 1, 2, and 3 models using their original battery compartment, and for our extended frame, which is 670 mm long, the same as the RM-X. It is scheduled to be available for sale soon.

The RM-X, our record-breaking scooter with a top speed of 173 km/h (measured on a track), is also fully enclosed and features a carbon fiber body.

Carbon fiber, 3D printing, or fiberglass

The Formula Escooter was designed for 3D printing: each part is cut to fit on the printer's build plate, oriented to minimize the need for supports, and assembled with keys and screws rather than glue. A damaged fin can be easily replaced, and the spoiler can be disassembled with just four screws. For more information on this process, see our guide on 3D printing scooter parts.

The pitfalls of fairings

• Heat: The motors, controllers, and battery can get very hot during operation. A fairing that completely encloses them without providing any air intake or exhaust can lead to power reductions or thermal shutdowns.
• Crosswind: Large side surfaces provide more surface area for crosswinds, which can push the vehicle to the side.
• Weight: The heavy fairing diminishes some of its advantages, especially during acceleration.
• Ground Clearance: The floor is too low and touches the track at the corners.
• Accessibility: It must be possible to quickly access the connectors, the circuit breaker, and the charging port from the pit area.

And what about in competition?

The regulations for the E'trott Racing championship (rule 2026) are strict: anything not explicitly permitted is prohibited. It limits the width of the vehicle without handlebars to 450 mm, prohibits any protruding parts that exceed this width, and does not allow any accessories that do not aim to improve safety. Before racing with a fairing, have it approved by the technical official of the event. For free practice sessions, the requirements depend on the organizer.