Electric skateboards can be fun to ride and serve a purpose for skaters of all skill levels, but the hefty cost will likely rule them out for the majority of customers.
How Much Does An Electric Skateboard Cost?
Electric skateboards cost anywhere from $300 to $3,000 on average, making them notably more expensive than traditional non-electric skateboards.
Why Are Electric Longboards So Expensive?
How much you pay for an electric skateboard will depend on a number of factors, including the motor power, battery size, wheels/trucks, and the skateboard deck.
It’s just like any skateboard, but the difference is that electric skateboards have expensive motors, and they are also not as popular, which means the prices are much less competitive.
Cost Has A Lot To Do With The Battery
The best electric skateboards use lithium ion batteries to power the motor, which aren’t cheap, and you also have to factor the remote control unit into the equation.
Not only are the parts themselves very expensive (the lithium ion battery alone can cost hundreds) but there is also a lot of labor involved to make the parts.
A higher-priced electric skateboard is likely to have a longer battery life, a more sold construct, higher-quality components, and a solid build.
Tips for Buying an Electric Skateboards
Before you buy with a new electric skateboard, make sure you’re getting something that will actually suit your needs.
Don’t assume that it’s a good skateboard just because it has a premium price tag, and don’t make the mistake of assuming that all electric skateboards are the same.
There are a few things you need to consider when making your choice:
Price Range
Is your chosen electric skateboard actually within budget, or are you going to leave yourself short for the sake of a better brand name?
There’s a good chance that the electric skateboard won’t be quite what you’re looking for or expecting, and many of them will end up gathering dust in closets and basements.
Don’t blow your budget, keep it on the lower end of your price range, and if you ever reach a point where you’re skating every day and your skateboard is no longer capable, you can always buy a more premium model.
Electric Skateboard Batteries
How long do the batteries last, how are they charged, and how long does it take to charge them?
It doesn’t need to last all week or even all day.
It just needs to last until you can get to a charging point, and so the length of your commute will dictate how big you need those batteries to be.
Speed, Range & Power
How fast does the electric skateboard go and how far will it travel?
Durability and reliability are also key, as you don’t want to buy something that will stop running after a few days, weeks, or even months, especially if it’s going to leave you stranded with no way to get to work or no way to get home!
Are you traveling up hill on your commute? Riders who use their electric skateboard to commute to and from work or play in NYC and San Francisco will have different needs when it comes to climbing hills.
How much does it cost to build an electric skateboard?
You can DIY and build your own electric skateboard with an electric skateboard kit, but you may not be saving yourself all that much.
The price range of building your own electric skateboard is about $300 to $1,000 which falls within the range of buying a electric skateboard that is already put together.
So, if you like to tinker and save a few bucks, this could be a way to go. If you just want to ride, maybe not.
Is an Electric Skateboard Worth It?
Electric skateboarding is certainly becoming more popular, and it’s easy to see why.
These days, everyone is looking for environmentally-friendly ways to travel.
They want to spend less on gas, do their bit for the environment, and enjoy some fresh air in the process.
Not everyone likes cycling, and motorized skateboards are a great alternative.
The problem with traditional longboarding is that it makes you sweat.
You’ll get from A to Z, but not without a great deal of effort, and if you’re looking for an easy ride, you want as little effort as possible.
In such cases, an electric skateboard is definitely worth the money.
In fact, if you compare the price of an electric skateboard to a bicycle, it’s not even that expensive. It could also save you a lot of money in fuel.
The fact that there is such a large price range also makes electric skateboards very accessible.
Sure, you’re sacrificing battery life, speed, and range by opting for the cheaper models, but if it gets you where you need to go, and you’re able to charge it while you’re there, none of that really matters.
