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Huger Tech takes on the e-board establishment with handsome trio

Huger Tech takes on the e-board establishment with handsome trio
Huger Tech is taking on Boosted Boards and Evolve with its trio of electric skateboards
Huger Tech is taking on Boosted Boards and Evolve with its trio of electric skateboards 
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The Classic Board from Huger only has the one electric motor
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The Classic Board from Huger only has the one electric motor 
The looks of the Classic are, well, based in classic skateboards
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The looks of the Classic are, well, based in classic skateboards 
The range on the Classic Board is an impressive 8.5-mi
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The range on the Classic Board is an impressive 8.5-mi
The LED rear lights on the Huger Tech Classic Board
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The LED rear lights on the Huger Tech Classic Board 
The battery on the Huger Classic is compact, and can be swapped without any specialist tools
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The battery on the Huger Classic is compact, and can be swapped without any specialist tools 
The Travel Board has a 20-mi range
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The Travel Board has a 20-mi range 
The Huger Tech skateboards have hub motors instead of rear-mounted motors like Evolve
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The Huger Tech skateboards have hub motors instead of rear-mounted motors like Evolve
Huger allows its skateboards to be customized using a Bluetooth-connected smartphone
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Huger allows its skateboards to be customized using a Bluetooth-connected smartphone 
Huger Tech is planning to take on Boosted Boards and Evolve with its new lineup
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Huger Tech is planning to take on Boosted Boards and Evolve with its new lineup
Huger Tech is taking on Boosted Boards and Evolve with its trio of electric skateboards
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Huger Tech is taking on Boosted Boards and Evolve with its trio of electric skateboards 
The full range of Huger Tech skateboards
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The full range of Huger Tech skateboards 
The full range of Huger Tech skateboards
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The full range of Huger Tech skateboards 
The Bluetooth connected Huger controller
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The Bluetooth connected Huger controller
The Racer Board is about speed
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The Racer Board is about speed
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Huger has sacrificed some range in favor of a more powerful tune on the Racer
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Huger has sacrificed some range in favor of a more powerful tune on the Racer 
The power button on the Racer Board
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The power button on the Racer Board
The Racer Board has a more powerful twin-motor setup
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The Racer Board has a more powerful twin-motor setup 
The Racer Board is longer than the other boards in the Huger range
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The Racer Board is longer than the other boards in the Huger range 
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Electric skateboards offer a unique, fun way for urban dwellers to carve up the streets. Evolve was one of the first companies to nail the e-board formula, but there are plenty of competitors trying to carve a niche with their own blend of style, range and performance. Huger Tech is getting into the game with a trio of smart, attractive boards in a range of sizes.

Two dominant approaches have emerged since the conception of electric skateboards: hub motors and outrunner motors. Hub motors are housed within the wheel, while outrunners sit behind (or above) the wheels and drive them using belts. Evolve uses the latter – arguing they're easier to maintain and offer better performance – while Huger has opted for the former.

Although they all use hub motors, the performance on offer in the three different Huger Tech boards varies wildly. The entry-level Classic makes use of a single motor and is good for a top speed of 15 mph (24 km/h) and 8.5 mi (14 km) of range. The motor is actually set up for minimal resistance, which means it should feel natural to push like a non-electric board.

Huger Tech is planning to take on Boosted Boards and Evolve with its new lineup
Huger Tech is planning to take on Boosted Boards and Evolve with its new lineup

Jumping up to the Travel board brings another motor to the party, upping the top speed to 20 mph (32 km/h) and the range to 22 mi (35 km). The board can tackle a 20 percent gradient, and gains top-mounted LED lights for GPS navigation so riders don't have to pull out their phone and stare at a map. Like the Classic, it also gets LED head- and taillights to improve nighttime visibility.

Those concerned with outright pace will want the Racer Longboard, though, with its 25 mph (40 km/h) top speed and ability to tackle 25 percent inclines. Range does fall ever so slightly, although 20 mi (32 km) is still nothing to be sniffed at. Although it does get LED lights for safety, there are no GPS assist lights atop the deck.

All three boards are IPX6 waterproof rated, and all three have removable batteries that can be swapped out without tools. Although their range pales in comparison to the massive 31 mi (50 km) on offer in the latest Evolve boards, the ability to change batteries on the fly goes some way to making up for that fact.

Swappable batteries aren't the only area where Huger wants to get the jump on its rivals. The boards connect with a smartphone app using Bluetooth for ride tracking, changing the color on the under-deck lighting and tweaking the horn sounds. Monolith also has a companion app capable of remotely jamming the wheels, so it will be interesting to see if the Huger system will offer the same anti-theft functionality.

The Bluetooth connected Huger controller
The Bluetooth connected Huger controller

At the moment, the Huger team is seeking funding for its skateboards on Indiegogo. Early backers will be able to reserve a Classic board for US$299 or, when the early specials run out, $399. Reserving a Racer will cost backers $599 or $899 depending on how early they pledge on Indiegogo, while the Travel is worth $499 for early birds or $699 for regular backers.

The three boards will retail from $499, $1,199 and $899, respectively, when they hit the market.

Source: Huger Skateboards

Huger: Powerful, Affordable Electric Skateboards. #goHUGER & Pre-Order Now at HugerTech.com

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