I've always wondered about the true power of electric skateboards. Manufacturers often make bold claims, but are they accurate? To find out, I put the Meepo City Rider 3, an electric skateboard advertised with dual 3,500-watt motors (totaling 7,000 watts), to the test on a dynamometer (dyno). This video, originally posted on the Area 13 Mischief channel, documents the entire process. Since filming, I've even started carrying Meepo skateboards in my shop in downtown Grass Valley, California!
🤔 The Big Question: True Power Output
The Meepo City Rider 3 is a fun board, and I think it's worth the price, regardless of this test. However, I had my doubts about its claimed 7,000-watt peak output. I wanted to see how much power actually makes it to the ground. So, I strapped it to the dyno! If you're an electric skateboard company and want your board tested, let me know!
⚙️ The Dyno Test Setup
The dyno measures power in kilowatts (kW), torque in foot-pounds (ft-lb), and speed in miles per hour (mph). Keep in mind, the speed reading isn't entirely realistic due to the lack of rider weight and aerodynamic drag. Before filming, I had a few…interesting attempts at securing the board. Let's just say it tried to escape. With the board finally secured and the battery fully charged, I set the power to maximum and let it rip.
📊 The Results: Power and Torque
The results were surprising. Instead of the advertised 7kW, the Meepo City Rider 3 peaked at 1.3 kW (1,300 watts). Quite a difference! My guess is the motors might be capable of 3,500 watts each, but the controller or battery limits the power delivered. The good news? Your motors should run cool and last longer.
However, the torque was impressive! The board delivered 36 ft-lb, significantly more than the 33 ft-lb produced by an electric bike I tested previously. This is remarkable considering the skateboard weighs around 30 lbs, while the bike weighs over 60 lbs.
📈 Performance Analysis
The dyno graphs showed a rapid power ramp-up to the 1.3 kW peak, holding steady before dropping off at higher RPMs. The torque also climbed quickly, peaking, and then gradually decreasing. This explains the excellent acceleration.
🆚 Electric Skateboard vs. Electric Bike
Comparing the skateboard to the electric bike, the skateboard hit its peak wattage at 300 RPM, while the bike reached its peak at 423 RPM. This indicates superior acceleration for the skateboard, likely due to the higher torque. Interestingly, both vehicles reached their peak torque at nearly the same RPM.
🌡️ Environmental Conditions
The test was conducted at 65°F and 59% humidity. Unless it's extremely hot or cold, impacting battery performance, I don't anticipate environmental conditions significantly affecting these results.
🤔 Future Dyno Tests
This is just the beginning! I plan to test more electric vehicles, including skateboards, scooters, motorcycles, and custom builds. Another company has already reached out for a review, so stay tuned!
❓ Questions for Discussion
- How does the Meepo City Rider 3 compare to other electric skateboards?
- What causes the difference between advertised and actual power output?
- What other electric skateboards should I test?
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