9 Differences between Electric Skateboard and Electric Scooter

Transportation systems and the ease of moving around in a city are important factors people consider when choosing places to live. With a good transportation system, it is always easy and convenient for residents to move about. There is one other transportation problem that remains for so many people: the last mile problem.

The idea that the last mile of any journey in a city is usually a problem has been held by many for decades. It is often true in most cases. People that live a mile or two from train stations or bus stops will find it a little difficult to complete their journey back home after each stop. This is also applicable early in the morning when they need to get to the station or bust stop. It can be a lot more stressful when the individual is in a hurry.

In many cities, people turn to smaller one-person forms of electric transportation to solve this problem. Also called personal electric vehicles (PEVs), electric skateboards, electric scooters, and even electric bicycles are some of the popular little solutions to ‘first mile’ or ‘last mile’ problems. People that live close enough to their workplaces may use them for daily transportation to and fro their workplaces. Skateboards and scooters are the most popular.

Though they serve the same basic purpose, electric skateboards and scooters are different in several ways. From the way they are designed to the way they work on the road, there are distinctions you need to know if you are going to buy any of them for the first time. Here, we will discuss 9 important differences between these two micro-mobility vehicles.

Wheels

From their appearance, electric skateboards and electric scooters are strikingly different. The number of tires they have is one of the major differentiating factors. Just like the traditional skateboards, electronic skateboards generally have 4 tires. The wheels are sturdily attached to the trucks; two in the front and two on the rear to provide better weight distribution and smooth movement.

For electric scooters, most models have just two wheels. It is also normal to find electric scooters with three of four wheels, depending on what the manufacturer wants. Two wheels electric scooters are the commonest though while it is rare to find scooters with 4 wheels. The types and sizes of wheels found on electric skateboards and scooters are also very different. The wheels on skateboards are generally smaller than the ones found on scooters. Scooter tires come in more variants than skateboard wheels too.

Suspensions

Another striking difference between skateboards and scooters is the absence and presence of suspensions, respectively. Electric skateboards are just like regular skateboards with electric motors. They just have motored powered wheels on well-built decks. There is no form of extension, which means only people that are conversant with skating can use it.

Electric scooters are designed with suspensions. The suspension is actually what completes their special design and differentiates them from other Personal electric vehicles. The size and design of suspensions generally differ from one model of electric scooter to another. The suspension systems range from simplistic spring-based fork systems to a combination of wooden deck, coil spring, and dampers. It is a common feature, however, and is one of the reasons some choose scooters ahead of skateboards. Since the widths of their decks are usually smaller than that of skateboards, the suspensions are truly needed.

Convenience

Electronic skateboards and scooters are made to solve the problems of short commuting. Except when they are being used for sporting activities, these little personal vehicles are recommended for short-distance transportation. Convenience is an important factor in such short transportation schedules. Size and weight are among the factors that influence convenience. Generally, skateboards are smaller and lighter than scooters. Carrying skateboards is also easier than carrying electric scooters, which makes them more convenient.

Owning an electric skateboard is a lot more convenient than renting an electric scooter. Even if you are looking at the possibility of buying an electric scooter, it is still more convenient to invest in a skateboard that you can easily carry with you anywhere without any stress. There are foldable scooters you can easily carry about too. Skateboards are less likely to develop issues too.

Stability

Stability is another factor that differentiates electric skateboards and scooters. Due to the differences in their major parts and the overall design, the difference is clear when you compare the two. Scooters are invariably more stable than the average electric skateboard. Stability is not how they stand or sit on the road when they are not being used. What we are considering here is how they perform when running on the road.

Since their wheels are mostly bigger and they run at a more controlled speed, scooters are mostly able to cross bumps on the road better than skateboards. Electric skateboards are great and will perform wonderfully in smooth roads. They may not be too stable when you use them on relatively rough roads. It will take an experienced skater to use them conveniently without any incidence. Scooters, on the other hand, will remain stable on most roads as long as the user keeps speed in check.

Speed

In practical terms, the speed you can obtain using an electric skateboard will be significantly different from what you will obtain using an electric scooter. Though some scooters have the ability to go faster than skateboards, it is rare to see people going very fast with them. Skillful and experienced skaters can move at a speed that people won’t try while standing on a scooter.

There are different factors that can influence how fast a user can safely go with an electric skateboard or an electric scooter. The nature of the road is a big factor: it is safer to go fast when the road is straight and free of bumps. Skateboards are also better when you are traveling a curvy road (especially when you are skillful and experienced). Vehicular traffic is another factor that can influence your speed with any personal electric vehicle.

General Comfort

Comfort is relative when it comes to using either an electric skateboard or an electric scooter. The level of comfort each delivers will depend on different users but scooters are generally more comfortable to use. The presence of handles makes it more comfortable for people to ride around with scooters with ease. It is also more comfortable since users stand straight and forward while using it. With skateboards, however, standing and balancing require skill and experience.

While we can generally state that using scooters offers more comfort than using skateboards, this is not the reality for everyone. People that have spent most of their lives using the skateboard will find it more comfortable than riding a scooter. They are people that are comfortable riding regular or goofy on a skateboard.

Overall Safety

For several reasons, it is generally safer to ride with an electric scooter than with an electric skateboard. The level of control the scooter rider has is significantly higher than the level of control a skater has. Though both micro-mobility vehicles feature brake systems, it is easier to apply the brakes of a scooter and bring it to a stop sooner than what you can obtain with a skateboard. The electronic speed control feature in many skateboards improves safety too but that doesn’t make them as safe as scooters.

Overall safety also depends to a large extent on the skills and styles of the user. An experienced skater that rides carefully will be safer than another that rides carelessly. It is also important that all users of both electronic skateboards and scooters wear their safety gears anything they are on the road.

Level of Experience Required

This is another obvious difference between the two. While using an electric skateboard requires skating skills that may take a while to learn, riding an electric scooter is relatively easier and doesn’t require serious experience.

Skating may not be the most difficult thing to do but it will take a while for anyone to become skillful enough and confident to go out into the road with an electronic skateboard. With a scooter, however, it is easier to learn quickly and start using them. Some people can just learn to use scooters and start riding with them on the same day. It is important to ride safely, though.

Overall Cost

The overall cost of using an electric skateboard is also different from the cost of using an electric scooter. The original cost of an average skateboard is lower than the original cost of an average scooter. Cost of maintenance is another factor. Skateboards generally do not require regular maintenance and their wheels are sturdy and incredibly durable. Electric scooters generally require more maintenance. Those that have pneumatic tires are more susceptible to maintenance issues.

Even when you compare the cost of owning an electronic skateboard with the cost of commuting with a rental scooter, you will find that it will be more economical to go for skateboards. You just need to learn how to use them.

Electric skateboards and electric scooters are the perfect little things to turn to when you want an environmentally-friendly PEV to solve your transportation problems. They are ideal for short-distance journeys. Though they serve the same purpose, they are different in many ways. The above is a comparison of how they fare in different areas and we hope this can help you make an informed decision.