Whether you’re an avid adventurer or a city slicker, owning an electric skateboard can be an exhilarating way to navigate your surroundings. With early adoption came the excitement of speed, the exhilaration of wind in your face, and the freedom of unfettered movement. However, as the market for these technological miracles grew, so did the realization that battery life has a significant impact on the performance and functionality of the skateboards. As you navigate through the realms of battery life, the factors influencing its longevity, some savvy tips to prolong its lifespan, and a look at some of the best electric skateboards with a notably long battery life, let this essay be your guide to finding the ride that best suits your lifestyle.
Understanding Battery Life in Electric Skateboards
The power-packed performance of electric skateboards, zooming down city streets, or tackling challenging terrains isn’t something that’s achieved overnight. The heart of the matter lies in the core of these dynamic gadgets—their batteries. Battery life plays a crucial role influencing their overall performance and understanding this relationship gives a deeper appreciation of this exhilarating hobby.
Just like how a car relies on its fuel source, electric skateboards are dependent on the longevity and efficiency of their batteries. The form of energy stored inside these batteries is directly associated with the board’s speed, power, torque, and range.
Mainly, there are two types of batteries used for e-boards: Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) and Lithium Polymer (Li-Po). While Li-ion batteries are more common due to their life-cycle longevity, Li-Po batteries are admired for their lightweight feature and ability to deliver high currents for higher speed.
Battery life directly affects the travel range—the higher the capacity of the battery, the more distance it can cover on a single charge. By boosting the batteries’ capacity, electric skateboard manufacturers can increase the travel range significantly. However, the trade-off is that it makes the skateboard heavier, which may impact maneuverability.
Charging time is another critical factor to take into account when considering battery life. A battery that juices up quickly enables the user to spend more time in action and less time waiting. However, frequent and rapid charging might put a strain on the battery health, shortening its lifespan over time.
Moreover, battery life also impacts the overall power or torque of the electric skateboard. In simple terms, torque refers to the force exerted by the board to move in a particular direction from a stationary position. Boards with powerful batteries can offer more torque, making them ideal for climbing steep slopes or quickly reaching top speeds.
The performance and lifespan of skateboard batteries are also largely dependent on usage and maintenance. Regular and responsible charging, avoiding over-draining, complying with recommended storage conditions, and staying within weight capacity limits can preserve battery life, thereby enhancing the performance of the e-board.
In conclusion, the battery life of an electric skateboard isn’t a stand-alone feature. Its interaction with all other skateboard components shapes the entire riding experience, making it a significant aspect to consider for any e-skateboard enthusiast. The power to enhance the performance of the e-board lies not just in the hands of its rider, but also the heart of the board – the battery. Happy e-boarding!
Factors Affecting Battery Longevity
Electric Skateboard Battery Life: The Nuts and Bolts
Battery life is pivotal to any electric skateboard experience, with factors that are far from straight and narrow – from battery type to usage and maintenance. In shedding more light on this crucial element, we’re hoping to enrich your e-skateboard journey and make it a smooth ride.
Delving deeper into battery types, we find Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) and Lithium Polymer (Li-Po) as the go-to options for e-skateboard manufacturers. Li-Ion batteries are celebrated for their high energy densities and long lifetimes, bringing the gift of longevity to your e-board adventures. On the other side, Li-Po batteries weigh lighter, granting that much-desired quick agility.
Examining batteries beneath the lens of capacity, we discover that higher capacity gives longer range rides but naturally adds to the board’s weight. This delightful quintessence of the capacity is all about balance — balance in ride experience and balance on the board. Charging time too holds essence in the battery life narrative. Quicker the charge, longer seems the journey. However, if the battery habitually sizzles under rapid charge, life expectancy significantly drops.
With the matter of power and torque, a feature dependent on battery life, low batteries lead to decreased power. This happens as the battery discharges, resulting in decreased voltage, causing power and torque to take the back seat. This makes battery life critical to maintaining optimal power, ensuring you wouldn’t have to push your way back home.
Beyond the common features like type, capacity, and charging, factors such as usage and maintenance significantly affect battery performance and lifespan. Irregular use of the skateboard and improper maintenance can drastically reduce your e-board’s battery’s lifespan. The best practice is to keep the battery within an optimal charge range and make sure to avoid overcharging and discharging excessively.
To sum it up, battery life is a significant aspect for any e-skateboard lover, tying directly to the quality of skateboard experience. No wonder, it’s a merriment corner for hobbyists to blend in and learn, as they continue with their fun-filled rides. So, keep these pointers in mind as you go about boosting your e-skateboard experience, with the joy of great battery life riding along.
Photo by sasha_bond on Unsplash
How to Prolong Battery Life
Now that you’re all up to speed on the importance of battery life in electric skateboards and the factors that can affect it, let’s delve into some best practices for maintaining and extending the life of your e-skateboard’s battery. These are crucial tidbits to ensure we can keep shredding the pavements as long as possible.
One of the simple ways to extend battery life is by managing your riding style. Aggressive and reckless riding, with sudden take-offs and hard braking, not only endangers you but can also stress your e-board’s battery. For smoother sailing and better battery longevity, adopt a more cautious, gradual riding style. This approach reduces the load on the battery, allowing it to last longer.
A layman’s term in understanding batteries in our e-skateboards is thinking what current is pulled during our rides. Lighter loads equal less current, and that’s best for your battery. So, as much as possible, avoid steep uphill rides and carrying heavy items on your board. It’s also important to keep in mind that colder weather significantly impacts battery performance, so try to store and use your e-skateboard in moderate temperatures.
Charge cycles play a substantial role in ensuring the longevity of your battery. To maximize the battery’s lifecycle, avoid fully discharging it. Lithium-ion and Lithium Polymer batteries prefer partial discharge. It’s beneficial to re-charge the battery when it drops to around 20% rather than waiting until it’s completely drained.
Moreover, even when not frequently using your electric skateboard, don’t leave the battery unattended for long periods. Batteries naturally lose charge over time, so be sure to top it off at least once every few months. This practice prevents the risk of your battery falling into a deep-discharge state, which can permanently affect its capacity and performance.
Maintenance and care extend beyond usage and charging. When it comes to storing your e-board, choose a dry place away from extreme temperatures. Heat can cause your battery to degrade faster, while extreme cold can reduce its effectiveness.
There’s no denying that electric skateboarding is fun and this exhilaration should not be cut short by a poor-performing battery. Keep in mind that proper battery care and maintenance goes beyond ensuring longer ride distances, it also contributes to the longevity and safety of the e-board. The best practice entails a balance of mindful riding, regular charging, appropriate storage and, above all, respect for the machine that brings so much joy. Ride on!
Best Electric Skateboards With Long Battery Life
Let’s now turn the spotlight on some standout electric skateboards that are well-noted for their impressive battery life.
The first to mention is Boosted’s 2nd Gen Dual+ Electric Skateboard. The guys at Boosted have really upped the ante with this one! This board boasts an extended range battery pack, allowing riders to enjoy up to 12 miles of travel on a single charge. Charging time is on the higher end, but given the longevity of the battery’s lifespan, it’s a fair trade-off for many enthusiasts.
Equally impressive is the Evolve Carbon GT Series. This powerhouse of a board is equipped with a 36V 14Ah Lithium-Ion battery, translating to a whopping 31 miles of travel range! It somehow manages to balance this astounding range with a relatively swift charging time, reaching full charge in around 4-5 hours.
On the more budget-friendly end of the scale lies the Teamgee H20. This board is an excellent choice for those watching their wallet, but who still crave longevity in battery life. Armed with a 7.5Ah battery, the Teamgee H20 offers a solid 18-22 miles of range, depending on rider weight and terrain. Not too shabby for its price range!
Then there’s the Exway X1 Pro Riot Electric Skateboard. A real show-stopper, it’s packed with a high-capacity 193Wh battery. This board provides an impressive range between charges, spanning approximately 16 miles. For charging convenience, the Exway X1 comes with a fast charger which can juice up the battery in under 3 hours.
Lastly, for something a little different, check out the Maxfind Max4 Pro. This board turns heads thanks to its unique and durable Honeycomb Lithium-Ion battery. Providing up to 15 miles of range, this battery exhibits superior life expectancy, even when put to the test by extreme temperatures or harsh riding conditions.
Electric skateboarding enthusiasts can rejoice in the current offerings on the market. With the right research, finding an electric skateboard with long battery life that fits your riding style and budget is more feasible than ever!
Keep in mind, these travel ranges are often maximums based on ideal conditions – lighter riders on flat terrain in perfect weather. Reality might tell a different story – but these boards are still some of the top performers in the industry, battery-wise.
Remember, even the highest-quality batteries will require regular care and maintenance to ensure their longevity. So, keep up with best practices for charging, storing, and using your e-board to get the most out of these amazing feats of engineering. Happy riding!
Photo by harleydavidson on Unsplash
Understanding the intricacies of battery life in electric skateboards empowers users with the capacity to foresee the board’s potential and harness its full bandwidth. Recognizing the factors that could affect the battery life and taking the necessary measures to keep it at peak levels, not only prolongs its longevity but also enhances your ride. Provided with insights into some of the best electric skateboards with superior battery lives, the choice is yours to make. Keep cruising, let this comprehensive guide help you embrace the battery-powered future and push the boundaries of efficiency, agility and longevity in electric skateboarding.
