Like any piece of technology, transportation is always evolving. First we had the electric bicycle, then the electric car, and now — after many fails, falls, and an abundance of crowdfunding-campaigns-— we have a slew-of electric skateboards that are actually worth the price of admission. Most are designed to-satisfy your morning commute or casual skate session, though they vary considerably when it comes to range, top speed, and functionality. Some, like the Onewheel, pride themselves in unique design, while others concern themselves-more with taillights and what happens-in the-aftermath of a dead battery. We sincerely-doubt the added power will help you land those-720 gazelle flips, but at least it will get you from point A to B without an excess of sweat-careening down the back of your neck. Related: California abolished its longstanding ban on electric skateboards Inboard M1 ($1,400) Inboard claims that every detail of the M1 is based on the idea of uninhibited flow.-This essentially translates to a fluid and responsive ride, one that utilizes two hub motors in the rear wheels instead of your stereotypical gear system or belt-drive. Because of this, you can utilize the M1 like a traditional skateboard without ever having to turn on the motor. Other hallmarks include the board’s sleek, 14-pound figure and swappable battery system, a feature that-means you can jump from one 90-minute session to the next within seconds. The board’s innate Bluetooth connectivity,-10-mile range, and-regenerative braking feature — a convenient facet that-feeds-energy back to the battery for extended life — just help-to further justify the lofty price tag. Related: Inboard’s M1 electric skateboard offers an unparalleled riding experience. Pre-order it now from: Inboard Boosted Dual+ ($1,500) The original Boosted Board was something of a marvel when it arrived in 2014, mostly because it represented one of the first-electric skateboards to look ahead as much as behind. The time since has been good to consumers, however. As the-company’s high-end-model, the Dual+ refines it predecessor while incorporating a few added incentives. Twin brushless motors reside in the rear, allowing you to tackle hills with a 25-percent grade and cruise around for up to 6 or 7 miles depending on the-conditions. The bamboo deck also provides the board with a fair amount of flex, which essentially acts like suspension when navigating rough roads using the included handheld controller. And laser engraving? Well, let’s just say that isn’t just for jewelry and iPods anymore. Buy it now from: Amazon-Boosted-Daddies Board Shop Stary Board ($900) The Shanghai-based team behind Stary isn’t kidding when it says-its board is-the lightest and most affordable electric skateboard to-ever hit Kickstarter (or elsewhere). The svelte unibody deck uses a intuitive combination of fiberglass, Canadian maple, and carbon fiber to achieve its 8.8.-pound weight,-which-allows it to hit 18.6 mph with a 200-pound payload and-greater ease than some of its competitors. Additionally, the deck utilizes a gear box and an in-wheel motor — the latter of which you can easily open to replace the outer motor wheel — as well as-a controller outfitted with an OLED screen-designed to give you board metrics at a glance. The-controller also moonlights as your acceleration tool, and, more importantly, a quick means of braking. Pre-order-it-now from: Stary Yuneec E-Go ($632) The Yuneec E-Go is likely the cheapest offering on the market, however, this doesn’t mean it sheds- all- the bells and whistles to hit its budget-based price point. Each board features a Yuneec 400W-motor, which function much like the Yuneec 48KW motor aboard-the GW430 aircraft, the one with which Yuneec first cut its teeth. Unlike other e-boards on our list that average an estimated 6 or 7 miles on a single charge, the E-Go can push more than 18 miles, though it maxes out at 12 mph and the charging process can take up to 5 hours. That said, it can still manage a 10-percent grade and features both a dedicated controller and an excellent mobile app, just in case-you want to-view your battery life alongside your text thread with your mother. Buy it now from: Amazon-E-Go B&H Mellow Drive ($1,430) Mellow isn’t exactly an electric skateboard per se, but rather-a dedicated attachment designed to turn-your existing push board into something a bit more capable. To use it, you simply unscrew the-rear truck of an existing skateboard and replace it with the Drive, which features two in-wheel motors and allows for a top speed of 25 mph. The embedded, high-capacity lithium-ion battery lets you ride for about 10 miles on a single charge, and like others on our roundup, it features a-regenerative braking system designed to-recharge your battery whenever you decelerate. A bundled remote-gives you control over the throttle and break, too, and a set of haptic feedback alarms let you know when the-battery is low so you’re not stuck-pushing the pavement. Related: Motorize your favorite, scuffed-up skateboard with Mellow Pre-order-it now from: Mellow OneWheel ($1,500) The OneWheel isn’t what you’d typically associate with a traditional skateboard. In fact, the futuristic device functions more like a snowboard or surfboard than it does its four-wheel counterpart. The 2-horsepower deck-is essentially made up of up split platform-and a lone all-terrain wheel, each of which utilize-a bevy of onboard motion sensors and dynamic stabilization to give better your balance and control. Simply shifting your weight allows you to propel forward or back, and because of the ruggedness of the central tire, you can forge your own path just as easily on grass-lined hills as on sidewalks. The board’s-7-mile range and top speed of 15 mph merely comes second to the-software, given the latter lets you to adjust how the sensors, gyros, and motor work in tangent with one another. Want to go faster? There’s-an app for that. Related: Carving concrete (and eating it) on the insane OneWheel electric skateboard Buy it now from: Amazon-OneWheel Marbel Board-($1,400) The Marbel Board may not be as light as the aforementioned Stary, but it’s also no joke when it comes to speed. The slender board capitalizes on a carbon fiber build and a-2,000W brushless motor, along with a handheld controller that let’s you accelerate or activate-the regenerative breaking when need be. Said power and lightness mean the board can undertake hills with a 20-percent grade and-quickly-hit the top speed 25 mph — or less, depending on how you set it up via the accompanying mobile app for Android and iOS devices. The battery also allows for 16 miles on a single 90-minute charge, when in ECO mode at least, giving-you plenty of distance without the wait. Shipping speeds, however, are a completely different story as of late. Buy it now from: Marbel Evolve Carbon Series 2-in-1 Electric Skateboard-($1,729) As the flagship model in Evolve’s lauded Carbon Series, the Carbon Series 2-in-1-has quite a bit going for it. Although it runs-on little more than a-brushless 350W motor affixed to one of the rear wheels, the single wheel drive means it’s quieter and can muster better battery range than some of the-more powerful e-boards currently on the market.-The 43-inch deck is made from a mixture of carbon fiber and Kevlar, and ships pre-assembled with a set of all-terrain wheels that are as capable on rough pavement as on dirt. Conveniently, the 2-in-1 also comes with a set of street wheels that can be swapped out in a matter of minutes, giving you the option for tighter carving and higher speeds if 21 mph isn’t cutting it. A wireless, handheld throttle comes standard. Buy it now from: Amazon Evolve ZBoard 2 Blue ($1,300) ZBoard is one of the few companies that could care less for a handheld remote — after all, most board sports don’t rely on a throttle for movement. As such, the weight-sensing ZBoard 2 Blue ditches the wireless remote for the company’s patented controls, one in which you lean on corresponding footpads located on the front and the back of the board in order to accelerate and decelerate. It’s a fairly self-explanatory system that makes use of-1,000W motor and 16-mile range, along with integrated front and rear lighting designed to keep you visible and shed light where you need it most. It’s a bit heavier at 17 pounds, but fortunately, the built-in handles make it easy to lug around when you’re not cruising to and from the-boardwalk at a healthy 20 mph. Buy it now from: ZBoard LEIF eSnowboard ($1,500) As the name might imply, the LEIF eSnowboard is as close as you’ll get to snowboarding on asphalt without actual powder. The ingenious device uses two inline skate wheels and a set of rotatable casters to mimic the sensation afforded by the slopes, allowing you drift and carve with the same muscles you’ve honed elsewhere. A swappable battery pack, wireless controls, and a pair of 2000W brushless electric motors let you achieve speeds of 23 mph, while two quick-release bindings ensure a level of stability and control before you’re (inevitably) forced to bail. Varying deck lengths-and the ability to ride goofy or regular even help accommodate individual riding styles, too, so there’s no need to worry about your stance or setup before you head out. Pre-order it now from: LEIF Technologies



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