Get an Idea of the Benefits of Electric Boards + Buying Tips

Many Australians spend about a hundred hours waiting in traffic while they’re commuting to and from work. Think about all the money spent on gas for all those trips. This is why a lot of people are looking for alternative means of transport, such as bicycles, scooters and skateboards. 
However, lately, electric skateboards have seen a great spike in popularity. And that’s for some very good reasons – they are versatile, safe, portable and most importantly – extremely fun. They require minimum effort to ride them and provide a wide range of benefits on top of the aforementioned ones. There are quite a few different models and brands available nowadays, but that number is expected to rise significantly in the following years. Some of the best brands out today are Evolve Electric Skateboards, Boosted Boards, Swagtron Skateboards and DOT E-Boards, all of which manufacture high-quality boards that are pushing the market forward. Regardless of which brand you end up going for, you will reap a plethora of benefits.

Benefits of Electric Skateboards

Lots of Fun

Skateboarding is fun in itself, and when you add an electric motor to it, it becomes even more exciting. You can use your legs to propel yourself forward, or you can let the motor do all the legwork, it’s all up to you. Since electric skateboards, even those from top brands like Evolve Electric Skateboards, are still relatively new, there’s no telling how advanced they’ll become. But even the boards that are available today can go relatively fast and for quite some time before the battery runs out. Most electric motors can achieve speeds of up to 40 km/h, and they can cover as many as 30 kilometres on one battery charge, which is about an hour or so worth of driving. However, keep in mind that the type of terrain you’re riding on, as well as your weight, can impact these numbers. If the terrain is rough, and if you’re on the heavier side, how fast and how long you can go might slightly vary.

Good For Your Health

Skateboarding already provided a lot of health improvement benefits. They help you spend a fair amount of calories, build some muscle mass, strength and balance. Furthermore, skateboarding can improve the function of your nervous system. This is simply because you’ll be “forced” to focus and balance yourself using your entire body. Additionally, you get to enjoy the sun and the light breezes when you’re cruising down the streets, which can be a great way to relieve some stress.

Environmentally-Friendly Means of Transport

You hear it everywhere: “save the planet!”, “stop global warming!”. Well, riding an electric board can help the environment. Since electric skateboards use rechargeable batteries, they’re an environmentally-friendly device that doesn’t release any pollutants. Plus, when you’re riding your electric board, you aren’t driving your car – a win-win.

Features to Consider 

Size

The first thing you need to consider when buying an electric skateboard is the size of the board. The size of the board affects handling, and the ideal board for you will depend on your height and weight. If you’re 1.90 tall, you should get a full-sized board. Shorter people should consider a mid-sized board, and children should consider a mini-sized board. To get an idea of board sizes, full-sized boards are roughly 70-80cm in length, about 20cm in width.

Battery Life

As briefly aforementioned, the run time of the electric skateboard will depend on the type of terrain you’re driving on, plus your weight. Some manufacturers claim that their board can run up to 2-3 hours, but realistically, those numbers are far too high. The best way to get an idea of the battery life is to look at how many kilometres per charge it lasts. Look for a battery that can run for at least 15-20 kilometres per charge.

Wheel and Brake Quality

Skateboard wheels are typically made from high-density rubber, and electric board wheels are no different. Between the weight of the rider and the motor, rubber provides enough versatility and bounce, allowing you to ride through virtually anything without a problem. As far as brakes go, it’s difficult to tell before you actually get on the board. How the brakes perform will depend on your weight and the board’s charge level. That being said, consider reading some online user reviews from other owners. When you’re riding the electric skateboard, make sure you’re ready to use one of your feet as an emergency brake, especially if you’re going downhill where the braking ability of the board may not halt you to a stop.

Warranty

You want the electric board you buy to come with at least a two-year warranty. Most brands provide a lengthy warranty on the motor, but a shorter warranty on the electrical system. For that reason, look to get at least a year worth of warranty on the entire electric board, especially if it’s your first one and you aren’t familiar with maintenance and upkeep.