While standing or squatting, hand-held remote control, the young people of the city circulate on the roads of San Francisco. Like bicycles and mopeds, electric skateboard is becoming more and more an alternative to cars in the USA for young people, in big cities like Los Angeles.
And the market keeps growing. Over the last four semesters, approximately 12 companies have joined the hoverboard skateboard market. For the most part, they are American and Chinese.
Electric skateboard: what is it?
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An electric skateboard is a personal transport vehicle based on the model of a skateboard. The speed is controlled by a manual throttle or weight change and the direction of travel that is set by tilting the board to one side or the other.
There are many electric longboard brands on the market, like Evolve skates or E-go skates, to name only the most famous brands. This means that there are a large number of different electric boards, with different characteristics.
Whether it concerns aesthetic issues like size, color, shape; or more technical points like the battery, the electrical system or the control system; the offers are very varied.
Electric skate sales continue to grow
Boosted Boards, the leader of the field located at Mountain View, was founded by 3 Stanford University students in the PhD program, almost 6 years ago. John Ulmen, one of the creators of the firm, says he started using skateboard to get around the university campus. But in search of a board that was electric, he did not find it and decided to make it by himself. The other designer, Jim Rugroden, for his part, had already had to build a motorized skateboard running on fuel. But, because of the huge noises that it produced, the authorities had to prohibit it in California.
Their new invention is a true innovation. Less noisy, fast and enjoying a good autonomy, the sale of this model continues to grow; 500% in 2017.
The advantages of electric skateboard
Many people still wonder why buy an electric skateboard, when you can have a classic board that seems to have many more benefits. Do not be fooled! Beyond fashion, hoverboards also have great strengths.
The first advantage is undoubtedly related to practicality. If you use your electric skateboard to get around on a daily basis to get to work or in class, it’s a lot less tiring than with regular skateboard.
And with regard to the many so-called problems related to the fact that skateboard is electric, the key is to choose a reliable and solid model. Indeed, the best sold electric skates are manageable and robust, suitable for both adults and children.
A more convenient mode of travel
Skateboard is increasingly coming out of extreme sports to fit into the daily lives of young people as a mode of travel. It is used to travel relatively short distances in metropolises. Skateboard is even more beneficial than cycling. It is smaller and lighter, making it easy to take the train or bus with it; says Jeff Russakow, the CEO of the firm that aims to make the electric board a new means of transport city.
Some municipalities share this opinion. They plan to substitute self-service bicycles with electric boards; since the bikes are more bulky and people let them hang out a bit everywhere.
Even car manufacturers are not indifferent to this new trend. At the 2016 auto show, Audi was presenting a car model with a skateboard hanging on the back. Volvo, too, has approached Inbord, another skate manufacturer, to learn about their skates; they told the daily Forbes.
But for manufacturing firms to make this means of transport an alternative to the car, they must first improve the image of their product; since skateboards are still for many, a very dangerous tool for offenders.
How fast is a electric skateboard?
The electric skateboard being a practical transport tool, speed will play a leading role in your decision.
Generally, variable speed electric skateboards must offer speeds ranging from 15 km / h to 45 km / h. The fastest electric skateboard can reach to 68 Mph, more than the lastest one of 59.55 Mph (95.83 km/h) in according to Guiness World Record in 2015. If your concern is to travel at higher speeds, this could have a significant impact on the price of your electric skateboard.
The electric skate speeds of 15 km / h to 25 km / h are considered the best choices for most users. Those at 25 km / h at 45 km / h are usually for expert skaters because of their very high speed.
Types of electric skateboard
We can classify electric boards in two categories: electric street (urban models) and all terrain electric skateboards.
As its name suggests, the urban model motorized skateboard is intended for use on flat, paved, bituminous and concrete surfaces. This is a type of hoverboard that is very similar to conventional skateboarding, the only difference being that it is motorized. A complete electronic skateboard is an inclusion of a fully functional motorized system. It comes with a remote control and software that allows you to customize the power, speed and range.
The advantage with this type of skate lies in its maneuverability and lightness, allowing it to be carried around the city.
When it comes to off road electric skateboards, they are as their name suggests.
They are easily distinguished from urban models by their imposing wheels. Ideal for adventurers and extreme sportsmen, you can use these models absolutely anywhere.
How does an electric skateboard work?
Like many modes of travel that have evolved for a few years now, electric skateboards have become more and more popular with children and adults, while offering more ease and comfort.
To talk about technology, do you really know what is hidden under the board of an electric skateboard to advance it. If you want to know more, you will learn more about the operation of this device in this page. Do you want to own one without changing your skateboard? You can also upgrade your existing skateboard board with an upscale electric skateboard kit.
- By opening any electric skateboard, you will find at least one powerful electric motor that is connected to a lithium battery.
- Each model has a different type of battery that represents a big part of the price. Some contain a huge capacity to do tens of kilometers while others are just enough for a few minutes of travel. It is this battery that provides all the energy needed to move forward.
- A set of cables connects the motor and the battery. The current provided by the battery powers the motor to produce motion in the wheels.
- The energy generated by the motor is supplied to the wheels so that they can turn. Recent electric skateboards generally have 2 separate engines that are directly integrated into each of the rear wheels.
- Propulsion and braking are handled using a wireless remote that is held in the hand while driving.
Options of an electric skateboard
Electric skateboards have various options depending on the price and the model chosen. Indeed, depending on the size of the skateboard, we will talk about either electric skateboard or electric longboard (in the case where the board is over 80cm long). This last category is often more stocked with options, but it is not a general rule.
The options available on electric skateboards are variable, although there is not that much in the end, unlike other vehicles. Some e-boards without remote control allow bluetooth connection with an application, others come with a remote control that will direct them.
Other options exist. One thinks especially of the feuss back and front. Very useful to be visible at night, they are often red LEDs or other colors that consume very little Watts.
Some manufacturers of electric skateboard without remote control can connect the skateboard to a mobile application. If this is the case then it is possible to be able to direct the electric skateboard either using a remote control or using a smartphone via the application.
On the application, we can often managethe electric skateboard without remote control but we can also often access different navigation data that will allow to find all the useful information such as the battery rate remaining on the skateboard
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