How Long Does an Electric Skateboard Battery Last?

The electronic skateboard uptake in many parts of the world is nothing but a revolutionary move for enthusiast skaters to cruise, commute, and have fun-filled adventures. By virtue of the numerous benefits that it offers, one inherent drawback over its non-electric counterparts is the battery life.

The concern “How long does an Electric Skateboard battery last?” puts buyers into researching about what seems to be a good battery standard.

After all, what’s the point of investing in something that doesn’t last long?

The battery is the significant component of the system that affects the performance, range, speed, and overall functionality of the electric skateboard. The battery capacity is the sole indicator of how far a rider can maximize its capabilities.

Now that we understand the importance of battery life let’s look at how long you should realistically expect your electric skateboard to last and what factors you should look at while making the purchase. Let's get started!

I. Introduction

 Importance Of Battery Life In Electric Skateboards

Like a car is useless without fuel, an electric skateboard is nothing without a battery. The battery is the powerhouse of the system that drives the motor, wheel, and other components to propel forward and go up to the maximum speed capability of the vehicle.

 However, an underperforming battery or those with a shorter lifespan put these tools in the least favorable category of possession.

Therefore, a skateboard battery with a 500-1000 charge cycle lasting 3-4 years is a good sign of quality and is considered a reputable one to go with. Check Roadster X4, which offers 288Wh 8Ah battery capacity for an exceptional riding experience.

Battery life is a crucial consideration for those who need to rely on their skateboard for daily transportation. Since a good battery capacity can make you ride more conveniently on a single charge, they significantly reduce the wear and tear on the battery and charging components, contributing to overall durability. 

A longer-run battery is a versatile option for skaters to cross different routes and terrains without panicking about their battery running out. So, excellent battery life is a piece of good news for time-sensitive travelers who need to reach their destinations without getting into unexpected interruptions. 

All in all, extended battery life remains a valuable and long-term investment because riders don’t need to replace or upgrade the battery as frequently as they do with shorter-battery skateboards, contributing majorly to the cost-effectiveness of these ESK8.

II. Understanding Electric Skateboard Batteries

A. Types Of Batteries Used In Electric Skateboards

When buying different types of electric skateboards, nine out of ten will be going to have lithium-ion batteries in them.  Due to its impressive characteristics of a longer lifespan, durability, and reliable performance, electronic industry manufacturers prefer to have these in their systems.

Just as in the case of commercial longboards, such as the Roadster X4, the odds are that they will have a lithium-ion battery.

That said, we’ve provided insight into the other battery types available in the market for electric skateboards, along with their definitive features.

Li-ion Battery: The Powerhouse

It’s the most commonly used battery type not just in commercial longboards but in every consumer electronic product–be it your cameras, laptops, or cell phones. Their proliferation is attributed to their durable nature, extended lifespan, and fantastic performance, which makes them function well for longer.

These batteries are known for their remarkable energy density, efficiency, and ease of finding. This means that you don't have to hustle around finding for these batteries. Still, the replacement requirement is after or at least three years since they boast a minimum of 1000 charge cycles.

The 18650 cells and 26650 cells that you often see on the battery are just the types of cells inside a Li-Ion pack, with 18650 being the most common cells used.

LiPo Battery: The Speed Demon

This refers to a lithium polymer rechargeable battery system known for its high discharge rate, low voltage sag, affordability, and flexibility in terms of shape. They are well-suited for electric skateboard applications that require bursts of high power, just during uphill climbing or when accelerating.

The nominal voltage of a single LiPo cell is typically 3.7 volts. LiPo battery packs are often configured with multiple cells in series to achieve higher voltages.

Moreover, they come in various capacity configurations to fit into different electronic devices. That is why you can find them in remote-controlled vehicles, electric skateboards, drones, and other portable devices where a lightweight and high-energy-density power source is essential.

LiPo, however, has significant downsides, which limit its uses for many users. For one, we say the user has to drain its battery to a certain charge before putting it in storage, so it’s quite not a battery type for everyone. Also, they tend to have a shorter life cycle, translating into early replacement expenses.

LifePO4: The Long Runner

Another Lithium iron phosphate battery type is used in electric skateboards for its distinctive characteristics and widely used applications. The characteristics include increased safety, longer cycle life, and thermal stability. They’re less likely to catch fire or cause an explosion as they are less prone to overheating and thermal runaway,

The standout feature is that these batteries can endure a higher number of charge and discharge cycles before experiencing a significant decline in capacity. This makes them suitable for applications where long-term reliability is essential.

B. Factors Affecting Battery Performance And Lifespan

Up until this point, we know that the battery is the sole driver of the electric skateboard that powers its entire mechanism to function. However, there are a number of factors that contribute to its efficient performance and extended lifespan. Let's take this step further and know all these aspects.

Battery Type: The most fundamental of all factors is the type of battery housed in your skateboard. If you find it to be a lithium-ion battery, which obviously would be, then you can expect a longer lifespan and quality usage.

The other battery types for electric skateboards are acid-lead batteries, which are cheaper, heavier, and last only for a short period.

As stated, you need to see here that skateboards with lithium batteries are most favorable if someone wants to get the long-term benefit of the same battery.

Riding style: This one is crucial because your riding style will dictate what battery duration it maintains for that period. Aggressive acceleration and uphill climbs consume more power than flat terrain and smooth, steady riding.

So, the more speed you use, the more the battery will be consumed; thus, you’ll suffer a shorter battery duration.

Usage Pattern: The length of your ride will guide how much battery power is taken. If you use your e-skateboard for long distances, your battery has to work harder to keep the motor running for that long, impacting its longevity and performance and vice versa.

So, what we can conclude here is that speed and riding duration are inversely proportional to your battery life.

Rider weight: Having your feet over your electric skateboard means the battery has to bear rider body weight stress and requires more force to make it run smoothly.

Obviously, a lightweight rider puts less burden on the motor and, consequently, less power consumption and better battery life, whereas a heavy-weight rider may need to convince the battery to exert additional force to make it run, thus causing more battery drainage and, ultimately, shorter battery life.

Maintenance: The secret of efficient and long-lasting batteries is the care and maintenance that goes into its way.  Consciously keeping the bearings and wheels in good working condition, avoiding taking your board in extreme temperatures, and reducing unnecessary strain on the motor helps keep your battery life sustained for a long time.

 

III. Average Battery Life of Electric Skateboards

Estimating the average battery life of an electric skateboard is hard to pull because not all electric skateboards are built the same. Some models invariably perform better than others. So, driving out a standard value is nearly impossible.

To judge a rough estimate, you need to look at the pertaining factors, including the battery type and capacity, riding conditions, and maintenance.  But riders can typically expect between 6-35 miles of range on a single charge. This simply translates into approximately 3-4 years of life.

• Battery Type:Possessing an electric skateboard with a lithium-ion battery means you’re safe to roll over surfaces for quite a long time. By virtue of its nature of being efficient, faster, longer, and having higher power density, you can expect a good battery life in a lighter package. On average, these batteries last several 500-1000 charge cycles before they significantly show signs of running out.
• Battery Capacity:The unit measurement for battery capacity is ampere-hour (Ah). When this value is higher, it means you can use the electric skateboard for longer rides. Better capacity allows better battery life, which falls on an average of 2Ah to 15Ah or more.
• Riding Conditions:The terrain type, rider weight, and riding style all contribute to the battery life. Climbing uphill, aggressive acceleration, and increased speed demand more battery power, which means the more you increase, the more the battery life will suffer.

Electric Skateboard With The Longest Battery Life

By now, you’ve probably drawn to the conclusion of how much an electric longboard usage is interlinked with its battery lifespan. Obviously, long-range skateboards with a long battery life will invariably cost you a bit more, but this justifies their performance.

To find a better trade-off between battery life and good range, you can refer to the top-performing electric skateboard by Veymax.

Roadster X4 electric skateboard boasts an extended range of 18 miles, that too at its maximum speed. Additionally, it can maintain this range over a 30% hill grade, which makes it ideal for those mountain-side skating sessions.

IV. Maximizing Battery Life

Maintenance Tips To Prolong Battery Life

There is nothing more annoying than having an electric skateboard with a bad battery that just won’t last. It not only ruins the mood but drastically impacts the performance of the skateboard.

To make these possessions work longer for us, certain habits and behaviors should be eyed that might be a reason for shortening your battery’s lifespan even MORE than you think. Letting it drop to 0%, allowing it to overheat, and even just not using it regularly can all lead to an underperforming battery.

To make the absolute best electric skateboard, take these tips as part of your maintenance practice.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures: Never allow your skateboard to be exposed to extreme temperatures. This is the worst you can do to the battery efficiency. Exposing them to too low or too high temperatures would make them lose their charge and accelerate the breakdown of cells much faster than in a stable environment. To tackle this concern, try putting your e-boards at room temperature, ideally between 20-25 degrees Celsius.  

Prevent Overcharging: Leaving your battery on charge and forgetting to unplug is the most unfavorable thing to do with the battery life. Prolonged charging damages the battery cells and puts unnecessary power on the component.

So,  when you’re particularly concerned about skateboard battery health, you should keep notice of its charging time and disconnect it once it's fully charged. Overcharging can generate excessive heat and degrade the battery over time.

Inspect and Check: The charm and appealing nature of riding an electric skateboard might fascinate you, but you can only maximize its experience when all components are free of any damage, corrosion, and wear. Faulty parts or loose connections can undermine your riding journey.

Similarly, cleaning the board, wheels, deck, bearing, and areas around the battery should be part of your regular maintenance practice as they catch the most dirt, debris, and filth during commuting, cruising, or performing off-road adventures.

Use it Regularly: Give batteries a refresh charge every few months, even while in storage. It's wise to keep your electric skateboard battery in working condition. Even if you don't intend to use it, start the battery and let it run for quite some time. An unused battery could degrade over time and impact the performance as well as life expectancy.

Avoid Rain and Snowy Weather: When outdoor weather is unfavorable during heavy rain or snowfall, calm your enthusiast soul from getting out. Otherwise, the water could penetrate into the mechanical parts or cause it to short circuit, which is way too hazardous to cope with. If you accidentally caught up in the rain, try to dry up each component completely.

Prefer Smooth Riding: It’s not always necessary to bring your electric skateboards near peak performance every time. If you‘ve smooth terrain and pathways ahead of you, prefer to take such routes so you don’t strain the battery unnecessarily.

Low-Speed Settings: Electric skateboards with remote aren’t just meant for high-speed riding; you can also ride them slowly by adjusting the settings in the remote provided. Under possible situations, try not to bring the skateboard to top speed because, in this way, you would force the battery to provide excessive power, impacting its responsiveness.

Use Original Chargers:  The worst thing to ruin your battery efficiency is to charge it with a third-party charger. Always stick to the original charger provided by the manufacturer for optimal charging levels and performance.

Replace Old batteries: Now that you notice your battery is not performing optimally or is under capacity, opt for a battery replacement option. This would ensure that the overall health of the electric skateboard is maintained. Veymax offers you a battery upgrade accessory so that you won’t have to buy a new product when your previous one fails to underperform.

Proper Storage: It’s true that we all want to spend every minute carving up the routes, but taking a bit of time to store your battery correctly will ensure it stays charged and ready when you need it most!

Impact Of Riding Habits On Battery Longevity

Skating is an art and a skill that transforms an ordinary ride into something adventurous. It only gives you favors when you know how to handle the board, make flexible turns, control its electronic system, and, most importantly, maintain the speed.

This whole thing is important because the way a rider carries the electric skateboard has a huge impact on the battery's longevity.

Aggressive turns, unexpected and abrupt acceleration, and deceleration may cause the battery to take additional strain and exert excessive power to make it roll. Riders must avoid being too harsh with the board and should ride in their best interest by taking gradual and smooth movements.

In the case of uphill riding, an efficient amount of motor power is required, which raises much pressure on the battery to fuel the components. Obviously, increased power consumption may affect battery efficiency and life expectancy, so you may need a better battery capacity board to cross such terrains. Veymax is proud to offer a battery capacity of 288Wh 8Ah to fulfill off-road cruising needs. 

Also, Skateboards that are run in public areas often need to be frequently stopped following the heavy traffic. This on-off habit can strain the motor and the overall battery competency. All you need to do is choose pathways with low traffic or plan routes with fewer stops to maintain a steady pace.

V. Signs of Battery Degradation

Battery degradation can be manifested through different signs and indications, which makes you aware that the battery is getting affected and that you must do something to protect it from complete damage. It may include

Reduced Range: The earliest and most noticeable indication of battery degradation is their reduced range at full charge. This can be observed by calculating the distance your electric skateboard can cover at full charge versus how it has been covering now. If these two measurements have major variations, this suggests a lot of capacity loss.

Longer Charging Times: When the battery degrades, it takes a much longer time to get fully charged. If your skateboard battery is still undercharged at a time when it usually gets fully charged,  this is indicative of a diminished battery capacity. This could also be Irregularities during the charging process, such as the battery charging faster than usual or abrupt stops in the charging cycle.

Sudden Power Loss: This might happen that while you’re using your electric skateboard, you experience frequent shutdowns and sudden power loss during the ride. This results in a degraded battery because it can't sustain the power output.

Swelling or Physical Changes: A damaged or degraded battery shows its signs by demonstrating physical changes in the form of swelling, change in shape, and leaks.  

Voltage Irregularities: Assessing the voltage of the battery pack or individual cells is crucial. Any irregularities in the form of rapid voltage sag during load or voltage drop during use suggest a failing battery.

Overheating: Observing that your electric skateboard battery is becoming too hot during charging or discharging is a clear sign of an internal issue within the battery. If this is a consistent behavior, it’s visibly a safety hazard.

VI. Replacing and Recycling Skateboard Batteries

When And How To Replace Your Battery

There are some noticeable signs of battery depletion that set an alarming indication for skaters that they must replace their skateboard batteries as soon as possible. But how come you do this? WELL, there is a process to go through.

Someone carrying out the replacement procedure requires proper attention to safety and technical details. The exact steps can't be identified depending on the skateboard's different make and model. However, a general step-by-step guide is here for your convenience.

1. Gather material, including screwdrivers, replacement batteries, or other necessary tools, in one place.
2. Remove the enclosure or deck cover carefully, and lift or slide off the enclosure, exposing it to the battery compartment.
3. Identify the present battery and locate its connectors. Carefully remove all connections and disconnect the wires. (be mindful of the connection point for proper reconnection later)  
4. Remove the old battery from its mounted position. Take note of the proper positions and orientations.
5. Install the new battery and secure it the way the old one was.
6. Connect the wires to the corresponding points of your electric skateboard.
7. Turn on the skateboard and assess its brakes, acceleration, and other features affected by the battery.
8. If everything is functioning smoothly, reassemble the skateboard by putting the cover, tightening screws or fasteners securely, ensuring a snug fit.
9. If your old battery is no longer functional, dispose of it the way mentioned in the next section.
10. Run through a safety check to ensure all components are perfectly secure and there are no loose connections.

Sustainable Practices For Battery Disposal And Recycling

Recycling your battery is an excellent way to save costs of purchasing a new product and upgrading and maximizing the battery capacity and health. However; you must consider these practices for safe actions.

Battery Replacement

Research Compatible Battery Whether the battery replacement is for a capacity reason, range maximization, or speed, choosing compatible battery options is very important for your electric skateboard. This compatibility should be with the battery size and voltage of the unit. Consult Manufacturer Look for manufacturer guidance for suitable battery replacement procedures. They can be an authentic source for safely removing batteries or even provide recommendations or sell replacement batteries for your specific model. Professional Installation If you’re uncomfortable handling the electronics and have no clue how to do things the right way, you must consider your battery replacement installed by a professional technician. This would help you minimize the risk of damage. Safety Precautions Safety is paramount in every aspect of electric skateboard usage. Whether it comes to replacing batteries, disconnecting the power sources, wearing all protective gear, and avoiding damaging the old and new batteries are some good exercises to consider.

Battery Disposal

Consult Local laws Battery disposal isn’t as easy as putting the trash into the dustbin. It requires proper disposal because the lithium content within the electric skateboard has a potential environmental impact. Surround yourself with knowledge of the local laws for safe handling. Check the region's website for information on local waste disposal facilities. Contact Manufacturer It'd make sense to inquire about information from the dealer or manufacturer about their battery recycling programs or recommendations. Some of them offer take-back programs or even guide you on proper disposal. Battery Drop-Off Centers  Some areas have designated facilities or setups where you can dispose of your hazardous material, including lithium batteries.  Consult your local waste management or environmental agency for information about safe disposal.

VII. Conclusion

Choosing an electric skateboard for your rides means you’re ready to scroll over the pavement the way you want.

But this can only be done when you’ve got the right battery equipped inside your deck. By this, we mean a battery with higher power capacity, a more extensive range, and a more significant lifespan.

While you have these in place, as demonstrated in Veymax electric longboards, these power packs can truly be the lifeblood of your rides. All you need to do is show them a little love through proper charging, storage, and regular cleaning/checks.

This way, riders can minimize problems when their electric skateboard’s battery runs out and maximize the longevity and performance of their board’s battery.

This little care for your battery will drastically extend its lifespan, letting you rip for seasons without shelling out for a replacement. Not only that, but maintaining it keeps everything running safely.