Electric skateboard

The speed is usually controlled by a wireless hand-held throttle remote, or rider body weight-shifting between front of the board for forward motion and rear for braking.

[5] In 2012, ZBoard, raised nearly 30 times their target for a balance controlled electric skateboard on Kickstarter, which was well received at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January 2013.

The basic design of an electric skateboard consists of an electric motor (out-runner or hub), batteries, speed controller (often the specially designed VESC), and a wireless throttle on top of a regular skateboard, longboard or other variant (e.g. penny board, mountain board).

The VESC (Variable Electronic Speed Controller) may include motor and battery protection, regenerative braking, programming options e.g. acceleration and deceleration curves, and other advanced features.

It is the most compact, lightweight, silent and efficient type of drivetrain but has less torque, is less comfortable to drive and the tire choices are usually limited.

The pulleys offer flexibility for different gear ratios and the belts (usually HTD 5M type) are easy to replace and maintain.

Disadvantages to belt drive are the added weight of the enclosure and the fixed gear ratio which can't be changed as easily.

Personal protective equipment including helmet, knee, elbow and wrist pads are recommended for high speed riding.