Boosted Boards Kickstarter seeks funding for world’s lightest electric vehicle

source: http://www.kickstarter.com

This is the future, and exercise is for chumps. A new Kickstarter seeks to get funding for an electric vehicle so light, that it can go with you wherever you go. Boosted Boards has designed an efficient motor that makes a standard 12 pound longboard into the world’s lightest electric vehicle.

The Boosted Board is not just a glorified skateboard, believe it or not. This personal conveyance will have 2.6 horsepower, which is enough to propel it along at 20 miles per hour. The on-board lithium-ion battery can be fully charged in 2 hours, and keeps you rolling for 6 miles in between charges. Just like a hybrid car, the Boosted Board can use regenerative braking to reclaim a little bit of juice when you slow down. The Boosted Board can even take you up hills at a 15% grade.

Before you get too excited, the Boosted Boards are going to be pricey. The minimum pledge level on the Kickstarter that actually gets you the product is $1,099, and it won’t be delivered until next May. The higher cost comes from the use of the twin brushless motors. These are more expensive than standard DC motors, but it’s their power and compact size that makes this project possible.

The device will use a hand-held throttle control to control your speed and keep watch on your battery level. If something does go wrong, you can still use the Boosted Boards like regular skateboards, but that’s one expensive skateboard. The Kickstarter is picking up steam fast — still 28 days to go and they’re already way past the original funding goal. Could this be another record setter for Kickstarter?