5 Things to Consider When Choosing an Electric Skateboard in 2023
The 'endless wave machine', the 'ultimate big boy toy' or even 'almost the most fun you can have standing up' is how riders define an electric skateboard. These boards are a game changer for any adventure-seeker. You can go from street to trails, grass and gravel. It opens up a whole new world of being able to ride all different terrains without sweating.
What is an electric skateboard?
As the name suggests, an electric skateboard is battery-powered, and you can control it using a remote. When you pull the acceleration trigger on the remote, the motor engages and gives you a boost so you can zip up hills and cruise over tough terrain without needing to kick push. If you want to stop, you just need to pull the braking trigger. Nice and easy!
How to ride an electric skateboard?
All board sports are pretty similar: you're leaning into your toe edge to turn and your heel edge to turn. So it translates from snowboarding to skateboarding to even surfing how you move. It's pretty intuitive! The double king that every Evolve board has pin set-up is super fun because you can get those tight turns and carve.
Riding an electric skateboard is easier than traditional longboarding because you don't need to kick push, making it easier to find balance. Electric longboards let you keep a constant speed that you're comfortable with throughout the entire, whether you're going uphill or downhill. And so, in a sense, people feel way more confident on an electric skate than on a regular longboard.
As with any other board sport, the stance is super important. Get your feet as far apart and check which feet you feel more comfortable having in the front. As you're about to accelerate, have your weight centred over your front knee. Be sure to pull the trigger very slowly. This will allow your body to move slowly with the board. As you're about to apply the breaks, shift your weight over your back knee, avoiding your weight shifting too far forward as you come to a stop.
Remember to get your safety gear ready. A helmet is strongly recommended, and we also suggest elbow and kneepads for outer protection.
Ready to shred?🛹💨
E-skateboarding has become increasingly popular in the UK, and there are many options in the market when choosing an electric skateboard. There are a few things to consider when choosing the best electric longboard for your needs, budget and lifestyle. Here are the five key things you need to consider when buying an e-skate.
Before going to the nitty-gritty of it, be mindful that maybe not the best electric skateboard for YOU is the fastest or the most expensive one. When choosing an electric skateboard, you need to look not for the specs but all the other aspects of the product.
Choosing an Electric Skateboard: Range
Nobody wants to have range anxiety. So when choosing an electric skateboard, have clear in your mind the following points:
What you'll be using the board for? Carving/Fun? Commuting? On average, how far do you want to go in one ride without worrying about mileage?
Just to give you an example, the Stoke Board offers up to 10 miles of range, and the Hadean Carbon Street can go up to 40 miles. On the other hand, the Stoke board has a travel-friendly battery. There's a big difference between in range capability and other features, which doesn't mean that one is better than the other. It all lays down to what you are looking for.
If you want to look at all the specs of Evolve's boards, we prepared a comprehensive a compare electric skateboard tool.
Choosing an Electric Skateboard: Performance
You have boards that get you from A to Z, and then there are the ones that are a pure pleasure to ride. Look into the wheels and trucks and ask the question – how would this board perform without the electrical setup? There's a big difference between an off-the-shelf electric skateboard vs a quality longboard with a motor. The wheels are particularly crucial to the overall ride performance.
Choosing an Electric Skateboard: Weight
The board's weight can be a decisive factor when choosing an electric skateboard that will satisfy your needs and give you the best ride. If you want to ride off-road, exploring remote places, you will probably drive to the location, so the board's weight will not be a big deal.
If you want to use an electric skateboard for commute, carrying it in trains or putting it under your office desk while working, then consider its weight and portability. In this case, the Evolve Stoke would be better for you. If weight is not a big thing for you, check out the Evolve GTR Series or Hadean Series.
Remember: if you run out of juice with Evolve's boards, you can kick push it, no dramas!
Choosing an Electric Skateboard: Price
When it comes to price and budget, remember to compare apples to apples:
- Lithium is more expensive than lead acid.
- Professional branded skate parts are more expensive and much better quality than off-the-shelf boards from China.
- A longer-range means a more expensive battery has been used.
Here are some important questions to guide you in the right direction when choosing an electric skateboard:
- What are you getting for your money?
- Who has made/assembled the board?
- Is it off-the-shelf from China where cost is the bottom line, or has it been made by someone who is an e-board rider and passionate about performance?
There is a large gap in the electric skateboard market in terms of price and materials used, the rule of thumb is 'you get what you pay for'. It's also a very good idea to read reviews and research how long the company has been trading for.
Not sure which electric skateboard to buy? 🤔 Take the board quiz 👇
Choosing an Electric Skateboard: Spare parts and Support
As with any tech device, electric skateboards need maintenance. This is hugely important as your board needs to stay on the road to be enjoyed.
- How long is the warranty?
- How often will you have to replace the belt and wheels or other parts, and are they easily interchangeable?
- What is customer support like if ever there is an issue?
Evolve Skateboards has the largest network of customer service and support centres spanning more than 50 countries, including the UK. Evolve UK has a showroom and service centre located in London -
25 East Bay Lane, London, E15 2GW. The best part of it is that you can book a demo ride there too. You can try any of our boards for free 👇
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