Electric Scooter Vs Electric Skateboard 2023: Which One is Best?

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Is an Electric Scooter Better than an Electric Skateboard?

You might’ve thought about it multiple times – maybe even more than we have considered the topic. In the emerging world of e-mobility, would you be better off with an electric scooter or an e-skateboard?

Don’t hear anyone telling you that one of these two is bad for you.

As it is with everything else, everyone has their preferences and what works best for them.

You may know what our preference is between both categories, but to help you make a better decision, we will expose you to their best points and limitations.

 

The Electric Skateboard Overview

You already know the basics of an electric scooter and electric skateboard so we won’t waste many words on that; however, read our e-Skateboard guide if you want more insights about them.

In general, the main factors that could change the final call in buying one or the other are price, portability, and experience.

It is also known that for some, the aesthetic factor of the electric skateboard is what draws their attention to it.

 

Portability

Unlike the e-scooters, the esk8s are generally smaller in size and can easily be lugged around with you. Even some e-Longboards, such as the Ownboard W2, have a convenient little carry handle.

We know that some e-Scooters can be folded for easy portability but how easy is it to carry them?

 

Electric skateboard price

Now that portability is a potential factor for people to choose one or the other, this does not translate to the cost.

In most instances, we have found that we can get both scooters and e-skateboards at a wide range of prices.

The best way to make a price comparison will, thus, be to check what comes with each unit at the same price range.

For instance, it is found that a $300 e-Skateboard will perform better than a $300 e-Scooter. That is because a scooter has many more moving parts and sections than the e-skate, which also contributes to the price.

 

Surprisingly, e-scooters come at generally lower price ranges than their e-Skate counterparts.

 

That is not due to the high cost of production but the economics of scale.

There are just too many people opting for electric scooters instead of e-Skates, driving down the cost of production on the overhead from multiple sales.

 

Fun and experience riding

Skateboards might promise you a lot of speed, but you also need the confidence to attain those speeds.

We don’t see an average person cruising down the street at a speed of 20mph or more – especially when it is a busy street.

That is not to say there aren’t riders who attain such top speeds, but they are not as common as those who cannot.

Now, one thing is how you transport it, and the other is how you can ride it.

 

The main thing here is what people can do with each one of them.

 

Someone with no riding experience, especially if it is electric, will always opt for a ride that can be controlled with the hands.

It is a brainer that users will be inclined towards this feature due to the experience of riding like this since early childhood.

 

Spotlight on the Electric Scooter

Similar to the above, e-Scooters will have some points. In this case, maneuverability, maintenance, and comfort.

 

Maneuverability

You cannot beat the confidence of having a handle to grab onto when cruising with a scooter.

In this position, it is easier for users to attempt the top speeds that their machines promise. After all, they don’t have to rely on a remote system or their bodies only to give feedback to the machine they are riding.

In the storage department, though, e-scooters are not all that fancy idea.

They stick out like a sore thumb in most cases, and you would have to worry about how to carry them with you when you are not riding them. On the upside, though, a new wave of e-scooters allows users to fold them up when not in use.

 

That does not still give them the portability of e-Skates, but it is a step in the right direction.

 

Electric scooter maintenance

We have already flogged the cost issue up there, so we won’t touch on it anymore; however, we should mention that the maintenance on the e-scooter is worth discussing.

For example, you seldom have to check the urethane wheels on an e-Skate – they rarely get punctured or bad. On the electric scooter front, you have to worry about your pneumatic tires being at the right pressure every time.

 

The trade-off here is that pneumatic tires are generally safer and adapted to rough riding conditions. On the other hand, Urethane wheels could also send the rider through the air when they encounter rough ground.

 

Other things like brake pads and greasing some of its moving elements are essential to keep it reliable and provide safety.

 

Comfort for adults

Finally, getting a suitable electric scooter for heavy adults is far easier than a skateboard. Unless they have been using a skateboard for a long, it might be tricky (and a little bit unsafe) for them to want to get started with one now.

But this is not what makes it more appealing; the fact that you can stand up on a deck in a secure position without doing much effort and movement translates into no sweat.

 

Availability on the streets

The last but not least point to bring all the weight toward this line of electric vehicles is that they are now available even on the streets.

Some companies offer you the services to hop on and start riding it.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a license for an electric scooter?

This depends on where you are in the world.

In most US states, for example, you don’t need a driver’s license to ride an electric scooter. However, states like California don’t see it as such.

In the case of Australia, some States have regulated their use only on private property (What?), whereas others only require a top speed of 25km/hr on any street.

Since you are using the roads like every other vehicle driver, you must have a license (or a learner’s permit, at least) to use an e-Scooter.

Lastly, it would be best to use a helmet when riding one. Always check local laws to ensure you comply before you set your e-scooter on the road.

 

How fast can an electric scooter go?

On average, most electric scooters you see around today will manage a speed of 15mph (25km/hr).

Most people don’t want more as this speed ensures comfort, better confidence to navigate tricky situations, and safety.

If you want more, there are models that average 20mph.

That said, unique electric scooter picks like the Nanorobot D5+ can achieve a top speed of 55 mph.

 

How easy is it to convert a conventional skateboard or scooter?

Unfortunately, this is not as simple as what is used to convert a standard bicycle into an electric one. Having said that, it will depend on the design of your ride.

Plenty of conversion kits for a standard skateboard or longboard will offer a guide range of speed, power, and cost.

In contrast, this is relatively more complex for scooters due to the small deck and configuration. In this case, you will need to find a small battery to be attached to the deck.

 

E-Scooters Vs. E-Skateboard Final Points

After going through many factors, we can clearly say that each line has benefits and limitations.

 

For Electric Scooters

Safety	It can provide more control and protection.
Stylishness	Suitable for those office people looking to arrive clean and decent.
Cost	eScooters generally cost lower than e-Skates because they have a bigger market. Besides tire maintenance for the e-scooter, the running costs are about the same.
Speed	Generally faster.
Ease of use	The handle on e-Scooters makes them more practical for a lot more people.
Commute	These ones get the job done for urban riding in uncongested areas and cruising.
Experience	if you are not confident of your mobility skills on a board, get an e-scooter.
Fun	Still some fun but not the same.
Cool factor	You will look dull.
Range	Apparently, you can get more miles out of it.
Learning curve	A no-brainer. You can learn how to ride an e-scooter faster than an e-Skate.

 

For Electric Skateboards

Safety	Less safe with no experience.
Stylishness	if you want something stylish and can handle yourself, don’t doubt getting an e-Skate.
Cost	Some models are affordable (such as the Acton Blink S2 Electric Skateboard), whereas others are around the $3000 mark.
Speed	From very slow to high speed. E-Skates have the upper hand here, with most models achieving upwards of 55mph.
Ease of use	You need the experience to control one.
Commute	You can go in any setting, including off-road, as offered by Backfire Ranger X2.
Experience	Not 100% required but don’t use zero skating skills.
Fun	Truth be told, e-Skates are more fun.
Cool factor	My grandma was cool but more incredible when I saw her riding my e-board.
Range	Some offer a good range but not enough yet, though.
Learning curve	It will take some time, but you will get there.

 

The most significant benefit of using e-boards is the portability and speed. On the other hand, the safety side of things is the most critical limitation.

Electric scooters are easy to use and offer more versatility in an urban setting. Regardless of these advantages, they could be the biggest controversial points since there are more registered accidents due to easy availability and people’s carelessness.

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