Science and technology continue to make our lives easier. With inventions such as hoverboards and self-balancing scooters, short-distance commuting has become faster and certainly more efficient.
And now, technology has decided to upgrade the skateboards that we used to drag with our feet. By adding an electric motor along with a battery in a traditional skateboard, they have presented us with a brand-new invention that they like to call ‘Electric Skateboard.’
E-skateboards are now popular not only among the skaters. Not just the kids, but the adults are also excited to use this new mode of commuting because you can easily go to work, get to the grocery store, or even go on an offroad adventure anytime you like. With this convenience of technology comes a bit higher price compared to classic skateboards.
If you are wondering how much do electric skateboards cost and are they worth your bucks, then this article will help you answer all of your questions.
Let’s get started.
Reasons why electric skateboards are so expensive
Many people expect that an electric skateboard’s price would not be very different from a regular skateboard. But when they first see the price, they are surprised to know that electric skateboard costs a lot more than they anticipated. But there are reasons why electric skateboards are so expensive.
First of all, unlike regular skateboards that are built with cheap materials, these skateboards consist of electrical components like a li-on battery and electric motor that could cost more than a few hundred dollars. Now, in order to fit these components inside a skateboard, skilled labor, along with special equipment and tools, are required, which, too, can singlehandedly raise the overall price of an e-skateboard.
Apart from this, e-skateboards are a niche product; there are not many manufacturers with huge manufacturing plants in the market. Unless the market sees some competition and manufacturers start producing electric skateboards on a large scale, the prices won’t go down.
Factors that determine the cost of esk8s
Factors that determine the cost of esk8sIf you are seeking the answer to “how much does a skateboard cost?” you need to understand that there are different factors involved that determine their pricing. Let’s take a look at some of these factors and understand how they work.
Electric Motor
The motor is the heart and soul of the skateboard. It is one of the crucial parts that powers the entire electric skateboard with the help of a battery. These motors use copper coils that will work through the principals of electromagnetism. The majority of the skateboards in the market are well-equipped with dual motors that can cost a few extra hundred dollars. However, the price of a single motor can run from $50 to $300.
Battery
The battery is the heaviest and the most valuable component of an electric skateboard. What makes the battery so expensive is the battery cells that are included inside the battery. An electric skateboard’s battery pack can hold around ten to thirty of these cells, which can make the battery cost anywhere between $150 to $500. An average battery will last around 1 to 3 years; however, a more durable battery’s lifespan will be significantly longer, but it will cost a few extra bucks.
Most manufacturers prefer using lithium-ion batteries, because of their reputation of being extremely safe. These are the same type of batteries that are found in modern laptops and smartphones. Apart from being safe, they are also very compact, and they have a longer life cycle when compared to other types of batteries. In order to prevent overheating and fire accidents that can put a big dent on the company’s image, many manufactures like to include some special microchips inside the battery, which makes them a little more expensive.
When digging into the battery features, the most important thing to consider is the charge time of the battery. Some models will have a quick charging feature that charges the battery within one hour, while some models take more than five hours to charge. Some models come with a removable battery, which makes it very convenient to swap batteries when going for a long ride. However, these removable batteries are generally more expensive.
Deck
Decks of e-skateboards are created using different materials. Wood is still being commonly used for the deck, but many companies are keen to explore other lightweight materials such as carbon fiber, kevlar, and fiberglass. These composites involve two components that are epoxy and flexible cloth, which provides the stiffness in the dried materials. Moreover, the advantage of using composites is that they are extremely lightweight and robust, and they provide flexibility for the manufacturer in designing different shapes and sizes. On the other hand, nothing beats the wood deck in absorbing shocks when riding on rough pavement. Wooden decks can cost somewhere between $30 and $200, while carbon decks can run from $200 and $500.
Additional parts
These were just the main parts of an electric skateboard. However, if you want to know how much is an electric skateboard for, you should also consider the other small parts included in the board that can significantly affect its price.
The trucks that allow the wheels to move can cost somewhere between $50 to $200 each. Depending on the size and other factors, the wheels can cost from $30 to $250. ESC or Electric Speed Controller is the brain of the skateboard, and it can cost from $30 to $280. The remote controls can run from $20 to $200, while bearings can cost somewhere between $30 to $180.
Warranty
When we purchase something as expensive as an electric skateboard, we expect some type of warranty. Warranties are a great way to persuade a customer to buy because it gives them peace of mind that the product they have purchased will last. Since products like these are not manufactured using automated processes, they are rather assembled by hands, that’s why chances of defects are reduced. However, customers still want some kind of reassurance.
For a company, there is a risk attached to this warranty. If by any chance, the product comes out as defected due to negligence in its assembly, the company will become responsible for covering the costs of repair. That is why companies are supposed to incorporate this cost into the overall price of the product.
Customer Service
Nowadays, when we purchase a product, we expect excellent customer service from the company. And when we are buying something like an electric skateboard, we assume that the company’s experts will be available to us 24/7 to resolve any issues we might have related to the product. Hiring and training such talented employees and then offering 24/7 customer service through email, telephone, and live chat can cost a lot of money for the company. This cost is then added to the overall price of each skateboard, making them even more expensive.
Location of the company
The location of the company plays an integral part in determining the cost of an electric skateboard. In Australia, the United States, and some European countries, taxes are a lot higher. Similarly, labor is also very expensive in these countries. These factors can increase the cost of the products produced in such countries. On the other hand, companies operating in countries such as China, where taxes and labor costs are comparatively lower, the product they manufacture will ultimately be lower in price.
Economy of scale
Electric skateboards are still considered a niche product. Not many companies are producing them in high quantities using assembly lines. Large-scale production seems impractical because electric skateboards are a relatively new market, and their demand is quite low as well; that is why companies think that upscaling the production is not a good investment.
If the companies decide to go for the upscaling, the cost of production per unit will significantly reduce, and the effects will be transferred to the unit pricing as well.
Weight
As a general rule of thumb, the lighter your e-skateboard, the better. Many popular electric skateboards weigh around 12 to 18 pounds; however, an off-roading skateboard can surprisingly weigh up to 80 pounds. You should consider getting a lighter skateboard because when the juice in your board’s battery runs out, you will have to continue the rest of your journey by carrying it.
Similarly, you should also know about the overall weight capacity of your board. Many motors won’t work efficiently when dealing with heavy loads. You will need a powerful motor if you want your skateboard to handle heavy weight efficiently. An average e-skateboard can handle up to 220 pounds of weight; however, working at full capacity would drain a lot of your battery, and the run time will reduce drastically.
Speed
Many people who consider buying an electric skateboard, give the topmost priority to the speed of the board. Speed makes or breaks the deal for most of the potential customers. Many lightweight electric skateboards can surprisingly attain top speeds of 25 to 28 miles per hour. However, off-road skateboards can be relatively slower because of their bulky built.
There are different speed modes available in an average e-skateboard. Whether you wish to unleash your board’s full potential or conserve its battery, these speed modes will allow you to do both.
Brakes
Unlike traditional skateboards, the electric skateboard will allow you to accelerate and brake. The braking system equipped in most of the boards has a regenerative braking feature. This braking feature will simply increase the range and life cycle of your battery’s charge. It works when you hit the brakes, the lost energy is recovered, and the motion is converted into energy that is stored back into the battery. Of course, when your skateboard has such an advanced feature, its cost will significantly increase.
How much is it worth to spend on an electric skateboard?
If you surf the internet, you will find that any skateboard less than $300 has awful reviews because of their substandard performance and low quality. This means that if you want a decent electric skateboard, you will have to spend more than $300. I’d suggest you go for the one that costs at least $400 for an enhanced overall experience.
If you think the amount is too much, don’t worry, there are several Chinese brands available in the market that can definitely save you a few hundred dollars. The skateboards produced by these brands generally outperform many big brands, so don’t hesitate to go Chinese.
Before you buy anything, you should do some research and read reviews online. Similarly, it is advised to make a list of skateboards you like and then add in other details such as price, materials used, battery performance, top speed, etc. This will help you reach a practical decision.
Various expenses involved
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Charging cost
The total cost of charging an e-skateboard is very low. Completely charging an average electric skateboard will cost somewhere between 1 to 18 cents. This figure may vary depending on the electricity price rates charged in your country, and your skateboard’s battery size. Generally, residential electricity price is around 8 to 50 cents per kilowatt-hour, while an average e-skateboard comes with a battery capacity of 90 to 400Wh.
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Maintenance cost
It is understood that your electric skateboard will require regular maintenance. You are supposed to regularly clean and maintain your battery, motor, and bearings. Make sure to oil the bearings as well. Since your board will suffer a lot of vibrations on the road, it is essential to adjust all the bolts and screws regularly. There is a very minimal maintenance cost involved in the whole procedure.
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Battery replacement cost
If you properly take care and maintain the battery, then it will last 300 to 100 charge cycles until it reaches 80 percent of its capacity. This means that your Li-Ion battery will only last one to three years if you use your skateboard daily. Li-Ion batteries have a reputation for having a limited life because of the continuous decrease in their capacity.
So, if you wish to use your skateboard for more than a couple of years, then changing its battery is unavoidable. The battery replacement cost can be somewhere between $150 to $500.
Some popular electric skateboards and how much they cost
This is one of the cheapest electric skateboards you can find online. It is available on Amazon for $150 only. It is super budget-friendly; however, its reviews aren’t really positive. On Amazon, it has an overall rating of around 3/5 stars. After reading the reviews posted by the majority of its customers, it is clear that this skateboard isn’t really durable. According to the reviews, the first few weeks of riding this board would be an excellent experience; but after this period, there is a very high probability that the machine breaks down and dies on you. It is important to know that the quality of your board depends on what price you bought it for. If you have bought it this cheap, the quality is expected to be inferior.
A very well reputed company manufactures this skateboard. This company also offers cheaper skateboards in order to diversify its customer base. Priced at around $289, many customers consider it as an affordable option, because not many are willing to spend a sum of $1000 on a skateboard. The product reviews available online are not that great; the product received an overall rating of 3.5/5 stars only. Although the majority of its customers really enjoyed the product and gave it a 5-star rating; however, many were unhappy because their boards malfunctioned.
- Ownboard W1S
This is a top-quality electric skateboard manufactured by a Chinese company that is priced at around $369. Don’t be fooled by its low prices; this board can easily compete with top brands on its quality and performance. The best thing about this skateboard is that it can reach an incredible top speed of 24 miles per hour. If you want a decent skateboard, but you are on a budget, don’t be afraid to go for a Chinese brand.
Skatebolt Tornado Pro is decently priced at around $599. According to the reviews available online, these boards are extremely solid and robust. These boards can attain a top speed of about 25 miles per hour. This skateboard also offers 4 speed modes for your convenience. All in all, it’s a fairly good product available at an affordable price.
- Boosted Mini S
Skateboards by Boosted are among the most popular electric skateboards available in the market. While there are extremely expensive boards produced by this company, Mini S is one of the cheapest options they offer. You can get one of your own for just $749.
Interestingly, many cheaper options offered by Chinese brands outperform this board. This skateboard can only achieve a top speed of 18 miles per hour, which will be a deal-breaker for most of the customers out there.
- Boosted Plus
Boosted Plus is one of the highly recommended skateboards available on the market. You can get this board for around $1,399. This is undoubtedly a pricey option; however, you will be more than pleased to experience this board. Boosted Plus can hit up to 22 miles per hour, and the ride is just smooth as silk. If this board is in your budget, you should definitely get it.
- Boosted Stealth
Boosted Stealth is an upgraded version of Boosted Plus. In this particular model, you can easily attain a top speed of 24 miles per hour. Priced at around $1,599, these boards are definitely not one of the most affordable options on the market. However, the performance this board offers, you will find that this price is totally worth it. Boosted Stealth comes with a mobile application that will track your board’s battery life and range, which will boost your overall experience of riding the board.
The company Evolve is now the Apple of electric skateboards. Therefore, the Evolve Carbon GT is one of the most premium built skateboards available. Priced at around $1,999, these boards are the most expensive ones on the list. Considered its incredible performance, these boards weigh only 21 pounds, which is quite surprising. If you have the money to buy one for yourself, you won’t regret spending your hard-earned money on this beast.
A little advice to help you save up for your new electric skateboard
It is no secret that electric skateboards are generally expensive. If you want a decent skateboard, spending around $400 is inevitable. For most of us, this amount is a lot of money. So how can you start saving for it? An ideal solution would be you saving ten bucks out of your daily income, and in two months, you will have about $400.
If you still think it is impractical to save $10 from your day-to-day paychecks, then don’t worry, many companies offer convenient payment options that will allow you to pay your debt over time. With a minimal interest rate, you can pay off your board in just 6 to 24 months.
It is suggested to go for this option only if you can afford to make regular payments for your board.
Will the price of electric skateboards go down?
As discussed before, the prices are high because the demand of electric skateboards is too low. That is why it is unreasonable to reach an economy of scale by upscaling the production processes. The only way the prices will go down is when its demand increases substantially, and new manufacturers enter the market. This healthy competition will play its part in getting the prices down.
Conclusion
Now that you know how much do electric skateboards cost, you need to figure out what features you want on your board and what your budget is. Once you know what you want and how much you can afford to spend, you can start looking for your electric skateboard. It is suggested to make a list and then narrow down the list based on which ones you like the most. Don’t just go for the cheapest option available; you might regret your decision forever. If you think that spending $1000 on an electric skateboard is unwise, then you can always go with budget-friendly Chinese brands that usually are worth their buck, such as the WoWgo, Exway and other.
Happy shopping and don’t forget to share this article with friends if you found it useful!
