The Skwheels are sure to turn heads because of their 4 motors delivering 600 W of power, while giving the feeling of skiing on the road.
The world of micro-mobility continues to evolve. What if we combined rollerblades with skis, all with motors, looking like mini electric scooters? This is the slightly crazy idea of the French startup Skwheel (formerly E-Line), founded by brothers Antoine and Romain Massebeuf, and Joseph Dahirel. After years of development and testing, the commercial adventure begins.
2400 W underfoot!
Yes, these Skwheels look like tiny electric scooters. You place your feet on a platform, suspended on a composite-carbon chassis resting on two 7-inch (17.5 cm) inflatable wheels. The difference is that you need one on each foot, attaching them via three straps, one of which at calf level serves as a rear light support. The whole measures 75 cm long by 25 cm high.
Each Skwheel has two wheel motors, making four driving wheels in total, developing 600 W of nominal power and 2400 W in total. As a result, the performance of these self-proclaimed “urban skis” is demonic, enough to reach 80 km/h… in theory.
But with regard to the law on EDPM, and to travel on open roads, Skwheels limit the speed to 25 km/h. Which isn’t any worse, let’s admit it. Thanks to pivoting wheels, the sensations would be close to skiing, while the all-terrain wheels would offer great versatility, announces the French firm.
Manual driving and 30 km of autonomy
But how do we control these machines? Like an electric skateboard, a manual control operates remotely to accelerate in 4 modes, brake, honk, see your speed or turn on the lights. Let us add that a mechanical brake remains accessible by lifting your foot, in the event of loss of control. The latter also houses a handle attaching to the pair of Skwheels, in order to transport them like a rolling suitcase.
Manual control with screen // Source: Skwheel
Unc control which serves as a carrying handle! // Source: Skwheel
The battery is removable // Source: Skwheel
However, these electric roller-skis are heavy: 12.5 kg in total. It was indeed necessary to accommodate the 300 Wh of battery (2 x 150 Wh, or 2.4 kg), allowing 30 km of autonomy at 25 km/h according to the brand. However, they are removable, allowing you to purchase others to extend outings. Recharging would last 1h30 with the fast charger (option), 3h with the basic one.
Very expensive “electric skis”
New mobility object, Skwheels are not cheap. The French startup is launching its electric urban skis at 1,600 euros for pre-order on Indiegogo, for deliveries from June 2024 (+69 euros). The price will then increase to around 2,400 euros, with the pair of additional batteries costing 430 euros (350 euros at launch).