Cities are trying to get people out of their cars, especially for short commutes . While ebikes and escooters get plenty of exposure in efforts to get people out of their cars. There’s another form of transport you might not have given much thought — commuting by eskateboard.

But while many flipped up their boards for good in adulthood, there’s a huge movement of skateboarding alive and well — and it’s gone electric.

That’s right, electric-powered skateboards where you don’t need to use your foot to kick-off or brake.

But skateboarding comes with a bunch of challenges . Further, there are no micromobility providers hiring out eskateboards.

So, if you want to give it a go, you need to dig into the robust but largely underground movement where information is passed on through message boards like Reddit and under Instagram posts.

I reached out to a bunch of eskaters to find out all that you need to know to get started. Here are some key tips:

Should you build or buy your eskateboard?

According to eskater GuyPaulPoullian:

What’s the best way to buy in the absence of brick-and-mortar stores?

zPrismXD suggested:

Get supplies!

Many people recommend you buy spare parts for your setup. Shops include Ownboard and eskating . It’s not just about replacing your remote, you might be in a world of pain if you are unable to access replacement batteries and motors easily.

GuyPaulPoullian suggested you start by determining what riding you are looking to do: commuting, street riding for pleasure, all-terrain riding and then zero in on the board that best suits your objective.

Eskateboard safety

No one wants to break bones traveling to work. Scottie88 stressed:

According Jed:

Esk8La advised:

What’s next in eskateboarding innovation?

Eskateboards are getting better batteries with a longer range and faster charging. But there’s still room for improvement. Jed explained that with his own board, having the ability to cut off charging at 80%  would balance the pack and significantly increase the number of charge cycles in the battery lifespan.

zPrismXD suggested:

However, like many outdoor activities, you can’t replace the visceral with the technological. Scottie88 stressed:

So there you have it, the slowdowns from the eskaters themselves. As we’ve seen with ebikes, the trend for mobility shows no sign of abating. This year we’re embracing all kinds of EV innovation including e lectric unicycles (EUC) — f you’re a rider, I would love to chat over email and Twitter !

(Credit for featured image: Esk8unity on YouTube )

Mercedes unveils EV lineup: the beauty, the beast, and the ugly duckling

Did you know SHIFT is taking the stage this fall ? Together with an amazing line-up of experts, we will explore the future of mobility during TNW Conference 2021. Secure your ticket now!

On the first day of the 2021 IAA Mobility Show in Munich, Mercedes-Benz introduced a lineup of two brand new electric models, plus two concept EVs as a bonus.

Since their names are very similar, I have given them the following nicknames: the “little brother,” the “beauty,” “the beast,” and the “ugly duckling.”

The EQE 350 (the little brother)

Basically, the EQE is the little brother of Mercedes’ EQS flagship.

Being 10cm shorter than the EQS, the new electric sedan looks similar with a lot in common , such as the same 90kWh battery pack, which, according to the company, gives it a good 660 kilometers of range.

However, it also has some significant differences.

Some standard features in the EQS are optional in the EQE. These include the 56-inch Hyperscreen display in the dashboard and real-axle steering, for instance.

The EQE also comes with less horsepower at 288hp, compared to the EQS’s 516hp. Mercedes-Benz says that there’s going to be a second — possibly more capable? — variant at launch, although it didn’t give away any characteristics.

Nevertheless, you don’t miss out too much in luxury or equipment compared to the EQS, so it’ll probably be a more affordable alternative — its price is yet to be announced.

The global launch will start in mid-2022.

The EQS 53 4MATIC+ (the beast)

This model is the first battery electric vehicle of the Mercedes’ high-performance division, the AMG. And as it marks the debut of the high-performance electric series, it’s, well, a beast.

The AMG EQS houses a 107.8kWh battery and two AMG electric motors, delivering 649 horsepower in the standard models, while those equipped with the Dynamic Package feature a Race Start mode that can increase output to 751hp.

In that mode, the EQS can also reach 0-62mph in 3.4 second, which is 0.4 faster than in standard mode.

It has a top speed of 250km/h and offers five driving modes: Slippery, Comfort, Individual, Sport, and Sport+.

Naturally, you can expect luxury and high-end tech with a variety of features, including a panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, the MBUX Hyperscreen display, a Burmester 3D sound system, and Mercedes’ latest driver-assistance technology.

The German automaker plans to launch this vehicle at the end of 2021, and we can expect that its price tag will have six digits.

The EQG Concept (the ugly duckling)

Well, for me the EQG concept car isn’t a looker and I find it’s exterior excessive , especially the strict lines and the light overload.

I’m mostly bothered by the G logo on the roof, which I must say is fairly explicable: the EQG is the first EV of Mercedes’ G-series.

As such, it’s a 4×4 off-road that comes with four electric motors close the wheels for individual control . It will also have a new rear axle and a two-speed gearbox for on and off-road driving.

For now, it’s a near-production study, but once it’s ready it’s going to be tested on Mercedes’s test track, on the 1,445-meter high Schöckl mountain in Graz.

The Maybach EQS Concept (the beauty)

The Maybach EQS has two distinctive features: the two-tone paint finish with Obsidian Black Metallic and Zircon Red Metallic, and its opulent interior.

As per Mercedes, the cabin takes its inspiration from yachting.

The interior is dressed in blue and white, complimented by the white piano lacquer and rose gold-colored accents of the rear center console, there are”faux fur” carpets, and even a flower vase to invite floral decoration.

The doors handles pop out when someone approaches, the doors open automatically for the driver, there are three displays that appear as a complete unit, and a 12.3-inch OLED monitor for the back seat passengers.

This stunning model has no release date, but at least we have a prediction of its range at around 600 kilometers.

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Tesla faces protesters over brake failures at Auto Shanghai

The 2021 edition of Auto Shanghai opened yesterday, Tesla had an embarrassing moment — and it’s gone viral.

Two women, both owners of Teslas, protested at the Tesla booth about the poor build quality of their cars, reports Global Times . They were wearing t-shirts saying “Tesla brake failure,” with the Tesla logo printed right underneath the words.

That’s not all, one of the women climbed on top of the roof of a Model 3 and kept screaming “Tesla brakes failed me,” before she was eventually removed from security guards. According to statements by the police, she was later taken for questioning.

Following the incident, the Tesla booth was secured by around 10 guards. Tesla representatives informed the local media that “the police is supposedly investigating the case.”

Not the first expression of concern

This episode was the latest in a series of protests against Tesla’s malfunctions, especially regarding the cars’ brake system. Also in March, a female Tesla owner in Zhengzhou, in Henan Province, protested in front of a local Tesla store. Having printed “Tesla brake failure” on her car, she repeatedly shouted that Tesla’s defective parts nearly killed her family.

Rising concerns over vehicle safety have been expressed through qichachaom , a Chinese public information platform. There have been reported five incidents regarding Tesla’s Model S and Model X.

The Chinese public’s complaints and mistrust in Tesla vehicles have been growing since last October.

Issues regarding safety and performance were addressed at a meeting between Chinese government officials and representatives of Tesla, held in January 2020.  The officials asked Tesla to carry out its operations in accordance with China’s laws and customer rights, reports Reuters .

In response, Tesla agreed to investigate the malfunctions and to follow the guidance of the Chinese government.

While no specific information on Tesla’s investigation is available yet, the company was forced to recall from the Chinese market 30,000 cars in October 2020, 870 cars in November 2020, and 135,000 cars in January 2021.

Do EVs excite your electrons? Do ebikes get your wheels spinning? Do self-driving cars get you all charged up?

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