A process for changing the speed of a vehicle with driving wheels and with a continuously adjustable speed/torque characteristic in the drive train, in particular a vehicle with electric motor drive, corresponding to a change in the position .alpha.(t) of an accelerator pedal carried out by the driver of the vehicle, in which every position .alpha.(t) of the accelerator pedal is associated with a determined drive output P.sub.v (.alpha.)=f.sub.1 (.alpha.).times.P.sub.max (where P.sub.max =maximum drive output of the vehicle) and/or driving torque M.sub.v (.alpha.)=f.sub.1 (.alpha.).times.M.sub.max (where M.sub.max =maximum driving torque of the vehicle) which is desired in the sense of a predetermined value and acts on the vehicle. To provide a process and a device for implementing the process permitting the driver to change the actual speed of the vehicle to a different desired value in the most uncomplicated and reliable manner, the predetermined value P.sub.v (t) and/or M.sub.v (t) is converted for an electronic drive control of the vehicle, the reference value P.sub.s (t) or M.sub.s (t) is changed to the predetermined value P.sub.v (t) or M.sub.v (t) within an adjustment time period, wherein the reference value P.sub.s (t) or M.sub.s (t) is formed by addition from an initial proportion proportional to the predetermined value P.sub.v (t) or M.sub.v (t) and a residual proportion changing over time.