Categories: Technology

Are Electric Skateboards A Thing Of The Future?

It was only a few years ago that the first electric skateboard hit the market, and it was met with some optimism as well as plenty of dismissals. This lack of confidence in electric skateboards wasn’t helped when one brand recalled some models due to battery malfunctions that left the skateboard in flames.

You’d be forgiven for thinking, then, that this was the end of electric skateboards – but that’s where you’d be wrong. Despite the initial hiccups, it seems they’re here to stay with hundreds of innovative models now being available.

So let’s take a look at the features you can expect from these skateboards.

IMAGE: PIXABAY

Power

For many users, power is king. All of these skateboards come with electric motors that tend to be located under the board and between the two sets of wheels (some newer versions have cleverly incorporated the motors in the wheels, though!). And the power these motors release is key because this is what will motor you and your skateboard forward.

Smaller models may be limited by a 150w motor – but these are more than fine if you’re a complete novice or you’re getting one for the kids.

If you want more power, the advanced models tend to range anywhere from 800 to 2,000w. It probably goes without saying that the higher the wattage, the more power and speed you’ll get.

Drive

The majority of these skateboards are rear-wheel drive, which is more than fine if you’re cruising through your local town. However, some do come with all-wheel drive, which is far better if you want more grip for stunts and uneven terrains.

The bi-directional drive may also be a priority as this moves the board in two different directions allowing for greater maneuverability and stunts.

Battery

To make sure you’re not getting stuck halfway through your stunts or journey, it’s important to consider the battery life of the skateboard. Quick-charging designs are far better as you’ll be able to reboot the skateboard within a couple of hours so you’re back on the road again.

Some models come with top-notch batteries that are designed to last years, and others will feature removable batteries that allow you to charge one while you’re using the other. You might also want to look out for regenerative braking as this uses the force and heat caused by braking to generate electricity.

Speed And Range

The range of electric skateboards can be around 8 miles, which is plenty – but those with regenerative brakes tend to go on longer. Lower-end models may only have a range of 2-3 miles but these are ideal if you don’t plan on going far or it’s just for the kids.

Speed, however, may be of the utmost importance to you. On average, you can expect most to reach up to around 30 kilometers per hour. Some more expensive designs boast greater speeds, though.

Weight

Some of the older models of these skateboards were quite heavy which is no good when you’re trying to pull a stunt. However, designers have worked hard to create models that are far more lightweight, with designs as low as 10lbs.

Don’t forget to check out the weight load, too – higher quality models will be able to take around 350lbs, which is ideal.

Skateboarding Your Way Into the Future

As you can see, electric skateboards offer so much more than their non-electric counterparts, particularly if you’re keen to use them as a source of fun and transportation. For those looking to do stunts on these skateboards, you will need to keep an eye out for lightweight models that are up to the pressure and force of jumping and so on.

If you are interested in even more technology-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels then we have a lot to choose from.