If you’re thinking of getting an electric skateboard, the chances are you want to go fast. Whether you’re racing around for leisure or you’re late for work, if you’re going to invest in a top electric skateboard you’re probably going to want to get from A to B as quickly as possible.
Electric skateboards are of course a lot of fun – easy to ride, fast, and accessible to most people. They are also a great option for those who need an easy, portable mode of transport for shorter journeys. Either way, the question of speed is important. With electric skateboard speeds of 25 mph upwards common, there is plenty of choice for those needing speed.
However, choosing simply the fastest electric skateboard on the market might not be appropriate for everyone. Knowing your skill level and your limits is crucial if you’re going to remain safe.
There are many factors to weigh in that determine how fast electric skateboards will go, some of which can affect the rideability and which less experienced riders might want to avoid. In this post we discuss everything you need to know about electric skateboard speeds, the factors that determine an electric skateboards speed, how to keep yourself safe at speed. We’ll also talk about some of the fastest boards on the market so you’ll know how to choose the fastest and best board for you.
What is the Fastest Type of Skateboard?
If you’re reading this, you already know that electric skateboards outstrip the competition for flat speed. The average speed of electric skateboards range from 18-28 mph. There are boards that can achieve around 40mph available, but these are for super experienced riders and so in the interest of safety are not included in our round-up. For most people, around 22 mph to 25 mph on a skateboard is easily fast enough. If this doesn’t sound much to you, you will change your mind once you’ve hit top speed I promise!
If you want more specifics, perhaps if you’ve been wondering “how fast does a boosted board go?”, here’s a table of some of the fastest boards out there on the common market (and how fast they are):
| Boosted Mini X | 20 mph | 32 km/h |
| Boosted Stealth | 24 mph | 39 km/h |
| Teamgee Boards | 18 – 23 mph | 30 – 37 km/h |
| WowGo 3 | 24 mph | 39 km/h |
| Blitzart Huracane | 17mph | 27 km/h |
| Loaded Boards Skateboard Kit | 23mph | 37km/h |
What Makes an Electric Skateboard Fast?
So, assuming that you want to go for speed, whether it’s for fun or for your daily life, there are many different things to look out for that determine the overall speed of an electric skateboard. The build of your board, electric motor power, battery, materials used, wheel size, the quality of components and more technical factors like voltage sag all play a role. Then you need to add to this the size and weight of the rider, terrain and weather conditions, all of which can and will affect the top speed.
Most boards will be fastest on the flat for example, but boards that are designed for more rugged terrain will outpace them in the right conditions. So knowing exactly what you intend to use your electric skateboard for, and where, is another factor to consider.
Below we’ve spelt out all the factors that can affect a board’s speed, and we’ll tell you what to look for in an electric skateboard, so you’ll have all the information you could possibly need to make the best and speediest choice for you.
Motor Power and Power/Weight Ratio
Like any vehicle, the crucial factor determining speed in electric skateboards is the ratio of power to weight. A budget price e-skate board may not have as efficient a motor as a mid-range board with a more powerful motor. In an electric vehicle, this is complicated by the fact that not only does the size of the motor affect both the power and the weight, but larger motors generally require larger batteries too. Which are also heavier. However, these things do generally balance out and on the whole electric skateboards with larger motors will always be faster.
Of course, your weight and height will be a factor but we’ll discuss that later. This part of your choice is not rocket science: if you want speed, you should choose an electric skateboard with a large power source, but one that is as light as possible also.
Riders Weight and Size
The electric skateboard itself is only one part of the system: the other, much heavier part is you. There is no question that smaller, lighter riders will achieve higher top speeds on flats, as the motor has less strain on it and so can convert more of its energy into speed. On a downhill where gravity is a factor, heavier riders will be quicker.
You also need to consider the effects of drag and air resistance. If you’re taller and generally bigger you have a greater surface area, and so you will be slowed more by the air when travelling at speed. For these reasons, it is difficult to give 100% accurate top speed for electric skateboards, as they will vary depending on the rider. For that reason, don’t be too surprised if you cannot quite achieve, or perhaps you even exceed, the advertised maximum speed for any given electric skateboard.
Battery and Controller
The power output of the battery will of course determine how much power inputs to the motor. This, in turn, changes how much power is sent to the wheels. The boards with the highest speed will have the battery and the needs fo the motor perfectly balanced so you can achieve top speeds easily.
Many controls have presets for beginners right up to experienced riders. Making sure the control isn’t limiting your speed is obviously crucial to hit top speed, so make sure yours is set correctly. Otherwise, the controller itself shouldn’t affect your speed too much, although of course quick responsive controls may help, and are certainly a comfort once you are at speed!
Battery Charge and Voltage Sag
The more you use the motor the faster you go, but the more energy you use. As the battery begins the drain the motor can become less powerful and you can experience voltage sag when accelerating. Making sure your battery is fully charged before you attempt top speed should ensure you don’t have any issues with this. Knowing how long your electric skateboard lasts on a single charge and attempting your run accordingly will also help.
Wheel Size and Type
Like all wheeled vehicles the electric skateboards top speed will be impacted by the size and type of wheel employed. Without delving too deeply into the physics at play here, a larger wheel spinning at the same speed as a smaller wheel in the centre will be travelling faster at its outer edge. Therefore, larger wheels have a higher top speed. As they require more energy to turn at this speed and generate more drag (as more of the wheel is in contact with the ground), they will accelerate slower, and generate less torque.
Smaller wheels, whilst not capable of the same top end speed, do generate less drag and require less power to turn, and so will accelerate faster and generate more torque. However, if you are on more rugged terrain, you will need larger wheels which are designed for this, which although slowest overall on the flat, will be much quicker in the correct environment.
Conditions and Terrain
Reaching top speed on electric skateboards generally requires specific terrain and favourable conditions. Most boards are designed to to be used on smooth, flat surfaces and not overly rough terrain, and of course you are going to need plenty of space to get up to top speed.
But terrain is only part of it. Bad weather is obviously going to affect your ride, and rain will make top speed not just difficult but a lot more dangerous too. But more subtle factors like wind can also have a big effect. Heading into even a light headwind can cause additional drag, which can scrub several mph off of a top speed. Whereas having a steady wind at your back can speed you up!
Parts and Components
Electric skateboards that are built for speed will have high quality, hard-wearing components that can handle the friction, heat and general beatings that they will be subjected to. Buying quality always pays, especially when you stand to get hurt if anything breaks.
How Can I Make My Electric Skateboard Faster?
For electric skateboards, the rules above apply to everyone. Your motor and battery should be designed to run at high speed and deliver the power you need to get there. You might be able to make gains by changing up your wheel size to gain more top end, or if you want more acceleration smaller wheels will work. Choosing your terrain carefully, making sure conditions are perfect, and being aware of drag and dressing and positioning yourself accordingly will also make a huge difference.
By following these tips you should be able to maximise your speed! But remember, always ride safe, as you have more chance of hitting a new top speed if you’re fit and able to ride.
