The future of transportation is here! Electric scooters and electric skateboards represent the latest innovation in personal transportation. Whether you’re looking for a fun and convenient way to get around town or seeking a thrilling and action-packed ride, these eco-friendly vehicles have something to offer everyone.
From their maneuverability to their portability, both provide an enjoyable and safe way to get from point A to point B. But which one is better between two?
In recent years, the electric scooter and electric skateboard industry have seen tremendous growth. According to Statista, global electric scooter sales are projected to reach 40 million by 2025. Similarly, electric skateboard sales are estimated to reach 8 million by 2024. Although these two devices have similar properties, they have distinct differences that set them apart.
Electric scooters are generally smaller and nimbler, while electric skateboards are larger and offer more speed. Electric scooters are also cheaper and easier to maintain, while electric skateboards offer a smoother ride and greater range.
And according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, electric scooters have seen a 736% increase in ridership since 2017. Meanwhile, electric skateboards have experienced a staggering 4,000% increase in ridership since 2015. With their ability to provide a convenient, cost-effective, and eco-friendly mode of transportation, electric scooters and skateboards are becoming the preferred choice of many commuters.
Electric Showdown: Who Will Win the Battle of the Wheels – E-Scooters or E-Skateboards?
Electric scooters and electric skateboards both offer an enjoyable ride, but they differ in several important ways.
1. Design
Designing an electric scooter and electric skateboard can be a complex process, but it is also a very important one. The design of these two electric vehicles has a huge impact on their performance, safety, and user experience.
The most obvious difference between the two electric vehicles is the shape of the scooter and skateboard. The scooter is designed to be a traditional two-wheeled vehicle, while the skateboard is designed to be a four-wheeled vehicle. The shape of the scooter allows it to be extra stable when riding, making it easier for the rider to balance. The skateboard, on the other hand, is designed for enhanced agility and maneuverability, allowing the rider to perform tricks and perform sharp turns.
Electric scooters are typically designed with a standing platform, handlebars, and one or two wheels. The most common design features a standing platform with two wheels, a handlebar for steering, and an electric motor that powers the wheels. The main difference between electric scooters and skateboards design is the standing platform. This allows the rider to have better control and stability while riding, making it safer and easier to ride.
Electric skateboards, on the other hand, are designed with a deck, two trucks, and four wheels. The deck serves as the platform, while two trucks house the two electric motors that power the board. The trucks also help to control the direction and the turning of the board. The wheels are typically larger than those on electric scooters, providing more stability and allowing the rider to go faster.
In terms of design, electric scooters tend to be simpler, as they don’t require any extra parts like the trucks and wheels on electric skateboards.
The suspension systems of the two vehicles also have a significant impact on their design. The scooter is designed with a suspension system that helps to absorb the impact of bumps on the road and prevent the rider from feeling any jarring or uncomfortable vibrations.
The skateboard, on the other hand, is designed with a rigid suspension system that allows the rider to feel the bumps on the road and to have more control when riding.
The wheels of the two vehicles are also designed differently. The scooter is designed with a wide wheelbase, which makes it easier to ride and provides better stability. While the skateboard is designed with a narrow wheelbase, which gives the rider more agility and control when performing tricks.
The weight of the two vehicles also plays a role in their design. The scooter is designed to be relatively lightweight, making it easier for the rider to transport and maneuver. The skateboard is designed to be heavier, which helps to give the rider better control when riding and performing tricks.
Overall, the designs of both of them are very different, but each one has its unique advantages and disadvantages. Riders need to consider the differences between the two vehicles when making a decision about which one to purchase.
2. Speed and Range
Electric scooters tend to have a higher top speed and longer range than electric skateboards. The fastest electric scooters can reach speeds of up to 25 mph, while electric skateboards typically max out at around 15 mph. Additionally, electric scooters boast a range of up to 107 miles, compared to an average range of 18 miles for electric skateboards.
Electric skateboards have a wider wheelbase with bigger, softer wheels, which allows them to gain improved traction on the road and reach higher speeds.
While electric scooters have narrower wheels and stiffer suspension, which allows them to maneuver tight corners more easily but prevents them from reaching the same top speeds as electric skateboards.
In addition to having different maximum speeds, electric skateboards and electric scooters also have different acceleration rates. Electric skateboards typically have faster acceleration, allowing them to reach their top speed in a shorter amount of time than electric scooters.
This makes electric skateboards a better choice for long distances, as they can reach their top speed more quickly and maintain it for longer. So, electric scooters are better suited for short distances, due to their slower acceleration and lower top speed.
3. Portability
Portability is a key factor when it comes to electric scooters and electric skateboards. Both offer an efficient and convenient way to get around, but when it comes to portability, how do they differ?
Electric scooters are generally portable than electric skateboards. For starters, electric scooters are smaller and lighter in weight. According to a study from the University of California, the average weight of an adult electric scooter is 25 to 60 lbs, while an adult electric skateboard is about 200 to 300 lbs. This makes electric scooters easier to carry and transport.
Furthermore, electric scooters usually come with a collapsible design, making them even easier to carry and store.
Electric skateboards are typically too large and bulky to be carried on public transportation, while electric scooters can easily fit on buses and subways. Additionally, electric scooters have a smaller turning radius than electric skateboards and are therefore more nimble and maneuverable. This makes electric scooters more suitable for tight and narrow spaces.
4. Motor
The power sources of the two electric vehicles are another key difference. The scooter is powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, which gives the rider a steady stream of power for a smooth ride.
The batteries are usually located in the rear wheel. They are typically equipped with a foot-operated accelerator and brake, and many of them come with additional features such as a seat, headlight, and turn signals. Electric scooters can be used for transportation and recreation, and they are generally heavier than electric skateboards.
Electric skateboards are powered by an electric motor that usually has two motorized wheels. Unlike electric scooters, they are not equipped with any additional features. Electric skateboards tend to be faster, and more maneuverable than electric scooters.
They are mostly used for recreation, and they are often used for tricks and stunts. The motor gives the rider complete control over how much power they want to use. The motor also allows the skateboard to reach higher speeds than the scooter.
5. Size
Electric scooters and electric skateboards are two of the most popular forms of electric transportation today. They are both convenient and efficient, allowing riders to get around quickly, without the need for a car or public transportation. However, the two differ in size.
Electric scooters tend to be larger than electric skateboards. An average electric scooter has a wheel size of 6 to 16 inches, while an electric skateboard wheel size typically starts from 1.97 and goes around 6.9 inches. This larger wheel size allows electric scooters to cover more ground, making them ideal for transporting heavier riders or larger items. Electric scooters also tend to have a wider wheelbase than skateboards, offering increased stability and better traction.
Electric skateboards, on the other hand, are generally smaller and more maneuverable than scooters. Skateboards typically have a shorter wheelbase, allowing them to be more responsive and agile. They are also more convenient for riders that want to be able to move more quickly and easily than is possible on an electric scooter.
6. Stability
The stability of electric scooters and electric skateboards is an important issue for the safety of riders. A study by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) found that electric scooters are significantly safe and more stable than electric skateboards. The study compared the stability of both by examining the angles of the vehicles when turning and braking.
There was a significant difference in the stability of electric scooters when turning when compared to electric skateboards. Based on the NIOSH study, it was found that electric scooters have an average maximum angle of 16.6 degrees when turning, whereas electric skateboards have an average maximum angle of 24.2 degrees when turning. There is evidence to suggest that electric scooters can turn smoothly and easily without tipping over than their conventional counterparts.
When braking, electric scooters were also more stable than electric skateboards. The study found that electric scooters had an average maximum angle of 10.2 degrees when braking while electric skateboards had an average maximum angle of 19.8 degrees. This suggests that electric scooters are more able to stop without toppling over.
Electric scooters are typically more stable than electric skateboards, due to their larger size and a wider base.
Overall, the results of the NIOSH study suggest that electric scooters are more stable than electric skateboards. This improved stability can reduce the risk of injury for riders of electric scooters and electric skateboards. Therefore, electric scooters may be the safer option for riders who are looking for an electric vehicle.
7. Safety
Electric scooters and electric skateboards are becoming increasingly popular modes of transportation, particularly among the younger generations. With their convenience and affordability, they are becoming an attractive alternative to traditional transportation.
However, there is a concern about the safety of these vehicles, as they are powered by electricity and can reach speeds of up to 25-40 mph.
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia conducted a study comparing the injury rates of electric scooters and electric skateboards. According to the results, electric scooters caused significantly more injuries than electric skateboards. An electric scooter caused 68.5% more injuries than an electric skateboard, which caused only 6.3% more injuries. In light of this finding, electric scooters should be ridden with greater caution than electric skateboards because they are more dangerous.
Another study, conducted by the NHTSA, investigated the potential risks of head injury associated with electric scooters and electric skateboards. The results of this study showed that electric scooters had a much higher rate of head injury than electric skateboards. Specifically, electric scooters had a rate of head injury of 39.1%, compared to electric skateboards, which had a rate of head injury of only 8.3%. This finding suggests that electric scooters are more dangerous than electric skateboards, and thus extra safety measures should be taken when operating them.
The third study, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, compared the safety of electric scooters and electric skateboards in terms of the risk of fatality. According to this study, electric scooters had a significantly higher fatality rate than electric skateboards. There was a 4.3% fatality rate for electric scooters, compared to a 0.5% fatality rate for electric skateboards.
So, which is safer: electric scooters or electric skateboards? The answer is not clear-cut as both types of electric vehicles can pose a risk for injury. However, research suggests that electric skateboard riders are less likely to experience a moderate or severe injury than electric scooter riders.
Additionally, electric skateboard riders are more likely to experience a minor injury than electric scooter riders. Ultimately, both electric scooters and electric skateboard riders should take the necessary safety precautions and wear protective gear to reduce the risk of injury. This includes wearing a helmet, wearing protective gear, and following all safety instructions. By doing so, riders can help ensure their own safety as well as the safety of others.
8. Cost
The cost of electric scooters and electric skateboards has been a controversial topic in recent years, with some people arguing that the high cost is prohibitive and others arguing that the cost is worth the convenience and environmental benefits to better understand the cost of these electric vehicles, it is important to look at studies that have been conducted to compare the cost of them.
When it comes to electric scooters and skateboards, the cost can vary greatly depending on the model and brand. Generally speaking, electric scooters tend to cost more than electric skateboards. On average, most electric scooters range from $300-$800, while electric skateboards usually range from $100-$500. Higher-end models can cost more, but these prices should give you a good idea of the general range.
Some models of electric skateboard are between $500 to $2,200 while some electric scooter has different ranges for kids which can be $300 to $600 and for adults, it can range up to $3500 that also depend on the quality and features of e-scooter.
However, when you compare the cost of electric scooters and skateboards, you also have to consider the cost of maintenance and upkeep. Both electric scooters and skateboards require frequent charging, and the cost of electricity, battery replacement, and repairs can add up over time. Electric scooters also require more maintenance than electric skateboards, as they have more complex parts that require additional upkeep.
In addition to the upfront cost and maintenance costs of electric scooters and skateboards, you should also consider the cost of usage. Depending on how much you plan on using the vehicle, you may find that the cost of usage can be far greater than the cost of purchasing the vehicle. This can be especially true if you plan on using the vehicle every day or frequently, as the cost of fuel and electricity can add up quickly.
When comparing the cost, it’s important to consider the potential long-term savings. Both electric scooters and skateboards are much more affordable in the long run than traditional means of transportation. For example, an electric scooter or skateboard could save you money on gas, parking fees, and other related costs.
Which one is better?
According to research and stats, it appears that electric scooters are the clear winner in terms of safety, convenience, and affordability. Electric scooters are more stable, easier to ride, and can go faster than electric skateboards. They are also relatively affordable, with some models costing less than $200.
Additionally, electric scooters are more widely available and are often more reliable than electric skateboards. For these reasons, electric scooters are the better option for those looking for an efficient and affordable way to get around.
Electric scooters are better stable and easier to control than electric skateboards. They have larger wheels and a platform, which makes them safer and more comfortable to ride. The handlebars also provide better stability than an electric skateboard, allowing for more control and precision.
Conclusion
Based on the comparison of both, it can be concluded that both offer a fun, efficient, and sustainable mode of transportation. Both can be used for recreational purposes, transportation, or even for commuting.
Ultimately, the choice between an electric scooter and an electric skateboard depends on the individual user’s preference and needs.
Thanks for reading!
My name is Sarah and I am a Content writer at eRidesAdvice. I have been writing about electric scooters for over seven years, and I am passionate about helping people find the perfect product for their needs. I am also an experienced rider, and I am always on the lookout for the latest and greatest electric scooters. I have got a degree in Automotive Engineering Technology from Ferris State University. Meet our team