People looking for an ebike alternative can already choose between electric scooters, skateboards and roller skates. With the debut of the Skwheel One system, they now have another option – electric skis.
Designed by Parisian startup Skwheel (pronounced "Skywheel"), the Skwheel One package consists of two motorized "skis" along with a wireless handheld remote.
Each ski has one wheel at the front and one at the back, along with a carbon composite deck, front and rear running lights, a quick-swappable lithium-ion battery and a snowboard-style binding. Each wheel in turn contains a 600-watt hub motor, giving both skis a combined power of 2,400 watts.
The wheels are clad in pneumatic all-terrain tires, allowing the skis to be used both on- and off-road. What's more, the front wheels pivot relative to the deck, reportedly mimicking the carving sensation of downhill skiing. Riders accelerate, brake and monitor battery life via the remote.
A top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) is possible if the skis are set up specifically for use on private land, although they're otherwise electronically limited to 25 km/h (16 mph). An electronic braking system is utilized for controlled deceleration, plus there's a mechanical emergency brake in the back and a mechanical parking brake in front.
As an interesting added touch, the remote can be used to clip the skis together side-by-side when they're not in use. A telescoping handle is then pulled out from the remote, allowing the joined skis to be pulled along like a wheeled suitcase.
The skis have a claimed combined weight of 12.5 kg (28 lb), and are reportedly good for a range of about 30 km (19 miles) at 25 km/h per three-hour charge of their batteries.
Skwheel has turned to Indiegogo to finance production of its skis. Assuming everything works out, a pledge of US$1,750 will get you a Skwheel One package of your own – the planned retail price is $2,625.
The skis can be seen in street-carving action, in the video below.