The Metroboard Electric Skateboard Story

Ilan Sabar, Creator of the Metroboard Electric Skateboard

The Metroboard Electric Skateboard story started back in 2003, when I saw someone ride by on what looked like a homemade electric skateboard. It was big and bulky with a wired speed control but my interest was piqued both as an engineer and as a skateboarder. I searched the internet to see what was already available on the market, and to my disappointment there were only a couple of companies selling electric skateboards at the time. The problem was that they were really expensive (over $1200). On top of that, they just didn’t look at all like normal skateboards. They looked like monster trucks with oversized parts and big knobby tires. A quick look at the specs revealed that they were using heavy lead acid batteries which contributed to the weight of over 50 lbs! I couldn’t imagine getting to my destination and lugging around a 50 lb skateboard.

After seeing what was out there on the market I decided to design and build my own electric skateboard. I really wanted to recreate the experience of cruising and carving on a nice high-quality skateboard with real skateboard parts. I knew that I’d have to cut the weight in half if it was going to be practical to use around town. So I set out to make an motorized skateboard that was as light and compact as possible. It had to be easy to pick up, carry, and store. In fact, my goal was that it would be able to fit in my small locker at the gym. I knew that if I could do all that, I’d have created more than just a toy, I’d have a pretty awesome transportation solution that would be a whole lot of fun to ride!

This was back in 2003 when I built my first prototype. It wasn’t pretty but it sure turned a lot of heads as I rode from my apartment to the gym every day.

By the end of 2004 I had made a few design improvements and thought that I might really be onto something. I decided to quit my job as an engineer at Hewlett Packard and pursue my dream of building the best electric skateboard. It took me three very challenging years to design, source components, and figure out how to manufacture, but in 2007, the first Metroboard was sold! This original design was well reviewed, but of course it wasn’t perfect. I continued making design modifications, listening carefully to customer feedback, and improving the design until every vulnerability had been addressed.

The Metroboard has come a long way since 2007. New developments in battery technology, brushless electric motors, and wireless controls have made it possible for us to produce one of the most reliable, high-performance motorized skateboards on the market today with a proven 7-year track record and the Best Electric Skateboard Reviews.

In 2012, I welcomed Alan Shibata to the design team. Alan is a very talented and experienced mechanical design engineer from HP and a great addition to the company. We enjoy working together to take the Metroboard Electric Skateboard to the next level!

And we don’t stop at just delivering a stellar product. We think outstanding customer service is just as important. You can always reach me by email at info@metro-board.com. I usually respond within the hour. You can also call me at 360-335-3211. I’m always happy to answer any questions you may have about the Metroboard.

So take some time and check out the rest of the website and let us know if there is anything that we can do to help you become the next satisfied Metroboard customer!