How to Choose an Electric Skateboard
Buying an electric skateboard blind off a spec sheet is a reliable way to end up with something that does not suit how you actually ride. Range figures are optimistic. Top speed means nothing if the carve feel is dead. Motor type changes everything about how the board handles, accelerates and brakes.
We have been selling and riding electric skateboards since the early days of the category, and we are an official Evolve repair centre, so we see what fails and what lasts. Here is what actually matters.
The short version
- Hills, torque and strong braking: belt drive. Accept that belts wear.
- Flat commuting and low maintenance: hub motors. Less torque, rolls freely when unpowered.
- Both, with less upkeep: direct drive. Belt drive torque without the belt.
- Range you can rely on: take the stated figure and multiply by 0.65. Buy for that number.
- Smooth paths only: street wheels are fine. Anything else: all terrain.
- Coming from snowboarding or surfing: Onewheel or Summerboard will feel familiar immediately.
- Still unsure: come and ride two different systems back to back in Richmond. It settles it in ten minutes.
What we cover
Motor types · Real world range · Deck shape and flex · Wheels · Brands we stock · Where you can ride · FAQ
Which motor type should you choose?
The motor system determines how a board feels more than any other spec. There are three types and the choice is close to irreversible, so it is worth getting right.
| Motor type | Torque and braking | Maintenance | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belt drive | Strongest. Best hill climbing and regen braking | Belts wear and need replacing. Motor drag when pushing | Performance riders, hilly routes |
| Hub motor | Lower torque, less braking force | Lowest. Wheel choice limited to brand urethane sleeves | Flat commuting, stealthier look |
| Direct drive | Close to belt drive torque | No belts. Better wheel compatibility than hub | Performance without belt upkeep |
Belt drive connects the motor to the wheels with a rubber belt. It gives the most torque, the strongest braking and the most connected feel. Evolve's GTR and Carbon series use belt drive, and it is the system most serious riders prefer once they have tried a few setups.
Hub motors are built into the wheels. Cleaner look, less to service, and the board pushes freely when the battery is flat. You give up torque and braking force, and you can only run the brand's own urethane sleeves.
Direct drive connects the motors straight to the axle with no belts or hub enclosures. Exway use it across several boards. It splits the difference well.
How far will it actually go on one charge?
Every brand publishes a maximum range figure. That figure is achieved at low speed, on flat ground, with a light rider, in eco mode. Real world range is typically 60 to 70 percent of it.
| Stated range | Realistic Melbourne range | Suits a one way commute of |
|---|---|---|
| 20km | 12 to 15km | Up to 5km |
| 35km | 22 to 25km | Up to 10km |
| 50km and above | 35 to 40km | 15km and beyond |
If your commute is 8km each way, buy a board stating at least 25 to 30km. Riding a battery to empty every day also shortens its life, so leaving headroom is not just about range anxiety.
Rigid deck or flexible deck?
Rigid decks in carbon fibre or stiff composite give direct, responsive feel and more stability at speed. Better for commuting and faster riding. Evolve Carbon GT, Exway Atlas.
Flexible decks in bamboo or fibreglass composite absorb road vibration and stay comfortable over longer distances and rougher paths. The flex also gives a more natural surf style carve. Evolve Bamboo GTR.
Smooth bike paths and roads, rigid is fine. Longer distances on mixed surfaces, flexible is more comfortable.
Street wheels or all terrain?
Most boards ship with street wheels as standard: smaller diameter, harder urethane, best on smooth sealed surfaces.
All terrain or pneumatic wheels are a significant upgrade for anyone on mixed surfaces, gravel, paths with gaps, grass or light trails. They smooth the ride out dramatically and open up terrain street wheels cannot touch. Evolve's GTR series supports both configurations with a quick swap, which is the most flexible answer if you are genuinely split.
Near beach paths, parks or mixed routes? Treat all terrain capability as a requirement, not an optional extra.
Which brands do we stock and who are they for?
Evolve
Australian brand, designed in Melbourne. Belt drive, high build quality, and a real dealer and warranty network behind it. Bamboo decks for comfort, Carbon for performance, and the GTR series takes both street and all terrain wheels. We have been an Evolve dealer since 2015 and we are an official Evolve repair centre, so parts and service happen here rather than interstate.
Onewheel
A self balancing single wheel platform, and a completely different experience to a standard board. Closest thing to snowboarding or surfing on any surface. Steep first hour, then highly intuitive. GT and GT S-Series for experienced riders, Pint X if you want something more compact. Excellent on mixed terrain and trails. Not a commuter board.
Exway
High performance belt and direct drive boards with strong build quality, good app integration and multiple ride modes. The Atlas Pro is one of the better all terrain options in the category.
Summerboard
A binding based electric snowboard simulator. Heel and toe side carving on the street, and the closest off snow feeling to actually snowboarding. Niche, and genuinely excellent at what it does.
Where can you legally ride an electric skateboard?
This catches people out. The rules differ by state, and Victoria is more restrictive than most riders expect. Work out where you are allowed to ride before you spend, not after. Our electric skateboard laws guide has the current position state by state, and we will give you the honest version in store rather than the one that closes a sale.
What to ask yourself before you buy
- What surface am I mostly riding on? Smooth paths versus mixed terrain changes the wheel and motor decision completely.
- What is my real commute distance? Work backwards from realistic range, not stated range.
- Do I want to service the board myself, or bring it in? Belt drive asks more of you than hub or direct drive.
- Am I a snowboarder or surfer? Onewheel and Summerboard will feel familiar straight away.
- Can I ride it where I actually want to ride it? Check the laws first.
Electric skateboard FAQ
What is the best electric skateboard for a beginner?
A hub or direct drive board with moderate power and multiple ride modes is the easiest place to start. Low speed modes let you build confidence before you use the full output. Most first time riders are comfortable within an hour, and the ride modes stay useful long after that.
How far will an electric skateboard actually go on one charge?
Expect roughly 60 to 70 percent of the stated range in real conditions. A board rated at 35km will usually deliver 22 to 25km with an average adult rider on Melbourne paths and hills. Stated figures are measured at low speed on flat ground in eco mode.
Should I choose belt drive or hub motors?
Belt drive gives more torque, stronger braking and better hill climbing, at the cost of belt wear and motor drag when pushing. Hub motors need less maintenance and roll more freely, but have less torque and braking force. Choose belt for hills and performance, hub for flat commuting.
Do I need all terrain wheels?
Only if you ride anything other than smooth sealed surfaces. All terrain and pneumatic wheels handle gravel, path gaps, grass and light trails that street wheels cannot. If your route includes beach paths or parks, treat all terrain capability as a requirement rather than an upgrade.
Are electric skateboards legal to ride in Australia?
The rules differ by state and Victoria is more restrictive than most people expect, so check where you can legally ride before you buy. We keep a current breakdown in our electric skateboard laws guide, and we will talk you through it honestly in store rather than telling you what you want to hear.
Can I test ride an electric skateboard before I buy?
Yes. We keep demo boards at our Richmond showroom at 435A Bridge Road and you can ride them before deciding. Ten minutes on two different motor systems tells you more than any spec sheet, and it is the fastest way to work out which feel suits you.
Buying from us
Every board is checked before it ships. Free shipping Australia wide on orders over $90. Frosty runs our electric workshop at 435A Bridge Road, Richmond, so servicing, warranty and repairs happen in house on every brand we sell. Call us on 03 9421 2293 or come in and ride one.
Keep reading: Best Electric Skateboards Australia 2026 · Evolve vs Onewheel · Electric Skateboard Laws in Australia · Battery Care Guide · Demo Boards in Richmond · Evolve Help Videos · Onewheel Help Videos
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