Electric longboards to ride your last mile in style

There are plenty of ways to carry on shredding during the summer days, but if you are tired of pushing, we’ve got just the thing. We’re seeing some great innovations in electric ‘last-mile’ transportation, which doesn’t mean you can’t buy one of those just for the fun. Yes, electric longboards are getting serious.

Electric longboard have been around for a few years but they’ve only recently become really sexy. The first commercially available decks had cables everywhere, huge battery packs and weighted tons. But the world wants better and cleaner energy sources and this means there is more research done on technologies like batteries and electric motors. The new generation of e-longboards is faster, longer lasting and weights less. If you have the cash to spare, they also look insanely fun to ride.

Boosted boards

Boosted boards are, in our opinion, the best looking available right now. The slick and minimal design, orange wheels and bamboo deck just looks stunning. They also offer three different configurations depending on your need and wallet. The cheaper config gives you around 8 miles of range with a top speed of 18 mph. It has regenerative braking, can climb 10% hills and uses top of the line parts like Caliber trucks and Loaded’s Vangard Bamboo deck. Weights 13.5 lbs and costs $999. The only problem, it’s only available in the US and Canada. Bummer.

http://shop.boostedboards.com/

Yuneec E-Go

The Yuneec E-Go is relatively new and is also the cheapest in our selection. For 749€ ($840) you get pretty much the same specs as the Boosted. It’s just slightly heavier at 13.8 lbs (6.3kg) and not as sexy.

http://e-go.com/

ZBoard

Now this is a board in a class of its own. While every other model uses a remote controller to accelerate and brake, the ZBoards use pressure. Lean forward to accelerate, lean back to brake. They also have a great retro looking deck with the ZBoard 2, with handles carved out. The newer cheaper model, the Z2 Blue, has a top speed of 20 mph and a range of 16 miles. It is also quite heavy at 16 lbs. $1199.

http://www.zboardshop.com/

Marble Board

The Marbel board is a Kickstarter-funded e-longboard. There seems to be a new campaign for e-longboards every week right now. This one is supposed to be the lightest in the world at 10 lbs (4.5 kg). The prowerfull 2000W motor will climb up to 20% hills. The rest of the specs are similar to the ZBoard 2, 25 mph top speed, 16 miles range. We really like that all the electronic is neatly integrated into the board. You can pre-order one now for $1299. Ships August-September this year.

http://ridemarbel.com/

Mellow drive

Of all those Kickstarted projects, one that stands out is the Mellow. Rather than an e-longboard this is more like a drive train. You get all the electronic and the rear truck with two motors and wheels and you choose on which deck you put it. The goal is to make something compatible with any skateboard. It also features in-wheels motors rather than truck-mounted ones. This gives the Mellow the best look ever. Retail price announced at 1699 € so probably the most expensive build you can have when you add the cost of the deck. But if your wallet is deep, this is probably the one we would choose. I mean, in-wheel motors!

http://www.mellowboards.com/

DIY Electric longboard

Now there is also the DIY route. The community is very active, with small companies selling parts to build your own from the deck of your choice. Sites like http://diyelectricskateboard.com/ or http://www.enertionboards.com/ sell almost all the parts needed to build an electric longboard for less. If you need advice, head to the dedicated section on the Endless Sphere forum. There is a ton of info there plus genuinely interested people that could help you out.