Easy Rider

The latest electric skateboard conquers hills, hits 20 mph on level ground, and travels 16 miles on a single charge.

Skateboards are built for short distances and big air. Lengthy rides? Not so much. Commute to the office on one and you’ll be sodden with sweat from what Lupe Fiasco called the “kick…push.” The electric ZBoard 2 Blueis designed for the long haul. Fitted with a high-efficiency, 500-watt brushless motor, the 16-pound board can outpace a North American roadrunner.

It works like this: A pair of curved, pressure-sensitive footpads on the deck engage an accelerator and a set of brakes. The system is responsive and easy to guide—all that’s required is a little balance. No, the electric cruiser’s not meant for kickflips, rail grinds, or even ollies (the engine sits on the deck’s underside), but it can zip up hills and conquer distances that would leave other riders relacing their Vans and preparing for a long walk home. $1,199; zboardshop.com

Photos by Photographed by Akila Berjaoui