How Much an Electric Skateboard is – Expensive or Not?

People are switching from regular skateboards to electric ones as they’re more enjoyable and personal mobility vehicles become more mainstream.

Although electric skateboards are easy to carry around, one factor limiting their popularity is their perceived expense.

In this troubled era of the pandemic and looming inflation, expenditure is often a real concern.

I wrote this guide to give you as straightforward an answer as possible to the question, “How much is an electric skateboard?”

 

How Much is an Electric Skateboard?

Entry models of electric skateboards cost around $200. Advanced or popular brands can cost up to about $2,000.

 

What Makes Electric Skateboards so Expensive

Note: I will write “e-skateboard” instead of “electric skateboard” in the rest of this article except in headings.

So, why do e-skateboards seem to cost so much?

After all, non-electric models generally cost $200 at the high end, which is the entry point for e-skateboards at the low end.

Did you know: Some non-electric longboard skateboards can cost up to $500!

Getting an e-skateboard at a bargain price will always be easy because there is always someone out there willing to sell garbage to a sap.

To guard against your (natural) instinct to lower costs by buying a cheap e-skateboard, perhaps you should first learn what goes into making a good one.

Hopefully, the knowledge will prevent you from being shocked at e-skateboard prices. It will also prepare you to buy one you will enjoy riding for a long time.

E-skateboards can cost a fair amount. The sizeable cost of e-skateboards comes from manufacturers having to use many high-end electronic parts.

In contrast, regular skateboards consist of mostly a wooden plank and alloy wheels, which keeps their overall production cost relatively low.

 

High-end Electrical Components are Costly

A skateboard with an electric motor has many mechanical and electrical components to help provide a great experience. Naturally, this can significantly increase its price.

The cost of a safe, tested, and reliable lithium-ion battery runs to hundreds of dollars. Additionally, the cost of robust electric motors can also be quite high.

Many manufacturers have also added features such as a wireless remote control to manage the board’s functions.

To ensure safety, only experienced technicians can complete the wiring of an e-skateboard during the production process.

 

Low Sales Numbers (Currently)

While electric skateboarding is becoming more popular, it remains a niche market. It is not yet mass-produced in sufficient numbers to lower costs to the consumer.

Yes, demand is rising, but there are still only a few reliable manufacturers making these boards. This result is low competition, and companies don’t have to cut their margins to attract new customers.

Tip: Be prepared to shop around to get a great deal. I will discuss what makes a ‘great deal’ below.

 

Support and Promotion Options that Cost Manufacturers a Lot of Money

E-skateboard companies offer warranties and extended customer support to help build a reputation and gain customer trust. Naturally, this leads inevitably to higher product prices.

As e-skateboard manufacturing evolves, companies need to invest in marketing and advertising to reach their target audience.

In other words, savvy companies sometimes have to create a market, which is an expensive undertaking that takes a lot of effort.

Obviously, manufacturers will not bear this cost themselves, but pass it on to their customers, increasing prices even more.

 

Recognizing the Costly Bits in an Electric Skateboard

Knowing what bits and pieces of e-skateboards cost money will give you the information you need to recognize a good e-skateboard.

Once you can tell a cheap and crummy e-skateboard from a good one, it is a short hop to being able to work out whether or not an e-skateboard is worth its asking price.

 

Deck

The electric skateboard’s deck is the part that most people notice first. Therefore, every manufacturer ensures it is attractive and bound to grab your attention.

Skateboards with large, intricate decks are therefore more costly than those with smaller decks.

Electric or not, skateboards typically come with wooden decks. However, some decks use composite decks to reduce weight.

FYI: Wooden decks cost from $80 to $200.

When combined, wood and composites together create a lightweight, flexible, and corrosion-free deck that is strong and durable.

Understandably, such decks are more expensive than single-material ones.

Some decks are also made out of fiberglass or carbon fiber. Entry-level decks of this type begin at $200, with high-end decks reaching as much as $500.

 

Electric Motors

Your ride will be stable and fast if you have powerful motors driven by a strong battery.

The speed of an e-skateboard is, of course, determined by the power of its motors. (Almost all modern e-skateboards use a two-motor system.)

Stability is determined by the continuity of power from the battery to the motors, otherwise, you end up with a jerky, halting ride.

The power of e-skateboard motors is measured in KV (kilovolts). The higher the KV, the faster the board will go.

As with nearly everything in life, extras cost more. Thus, each extra KV results in a more expensive e-skateboard.

This also impacts the skateboard’s price. E-skateboard motors cost between 50 and 300 dollars.

 

Battery

An electric skateboard’s battery is the lifeblood of its operation. It must be safe, high quality, long-lasting, and durable.

If taken care of properly, a good battery can last for three years. A more powerful battery with a longer lifespan increases the price of the unit.

The most commonly used batteries are safe, strong, Li-ion batteries. Li-polymer batteries, while more powerful, are associated with certain risks.

Therefore, skateboards equipped with sufficiently powerful Li-ion batteries cost more money.

Tip: If you can afford one, look out for an e-skateboard model with fast-charging removable batteries.

 

Other E-skateboard Characteristics that Influence the Cost

• Customer service availability.
• Electric speed controls.
• Speed, range, wheels, and weight (the lighter, the better).
• E-skateboard manufacturer’s location.
• Value of warranty and post-sales services.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about How Much an Electric Skateboard is

 

What is the main ‘gotcha’ I should look out for when purchasing an e-skateboard?

I’m not sure there’s a single, most important thing to watch out for, but size certainly matters! You probably don’t want to spend your hard-earned money on an e-skateboard that eventually just ends up in your basement because it is too large and cumbersome to carry around.

 

What about bamboo-decked electric skateboards?

Bamboo is actually more durable and flexible than cheap plastic, so bamboo is a safer option because bamboo will crack or break as easily. On the other hand, high-end, specifically engineered plastic will, of course, outperform bamboo–and cost a lot more too.

 

Afterword: How Much is an Electric Skateboard

Yes, at this time, e-skateboards are a bit pricey. There are many factors for this, but the main one is that e-skateboards are not yet mass-produced and marketed.

In time, the situation will change, but not overnight.

Meanwhile, now that you understand what goes into making a great e-skateboard, you can use the information in this article to get yourself a great deal on one.