Yes, an electric skateboard is cheaper than Uber if it replaces rides you would otherwise pay for. At $15 for a short 3-mile Uber trip, the Verreal RS ($799 list price, $549 with our current $250 offer) pays for itself in about 37 trips. That is roughly four weeks at 10 one-way trips a week, and each trip after that costs about one cent in electricity.
This guide shows the math for each Verreal board, what the math leaves out, and when an electric skateboard is not the cheaper choice.
Last updated: October 2026. Prices are list prices, with the offers active at the time of writing: $250 off the RS series (applied at checkout, ends November 30, 2026) and $30 off the F1 Max and Mini (applied automatically). Ranges are the rated figures from each product page. The $15 fare is an example, not a Verreal figure, so use your own.
How many Uber trips does an electric skateboard replace?
Here is how long each board takes to pay for itself if every trip replaces a $15 Uber ride. The prices are for the entry configuration of each board.
| Board | List price, then with offer | Rated range | One charge replaces | Pays for itself after | At 10 trips a week |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| F1 Max, 4Ah | $329, then $299 | 14 km (8.7 mi) | 2 trips | 20 trips | 2 weeks |
| F1 Max, 10Ah | $459, then $429 | 40 km (25 mi) | 8 trips | 29 trips | 3 weeks |
| RS | $799, then $549 | 50 km (31 mi) | 10 trips | 37 trips | 4 weeks |
| RS Pro, 15Ah | $899, then $649 | 45 km (28 mi) | 9 trips | 44 trips | 4 weeks |
| RS Pro Max, 20Ah | $999, then $749 | 65 km (40 mi) | 13 trips | 50 trips | 5 weeks |
"One charge replaces" counts 3-mile one-way trips at the rated range, and real range is lower. The 4Ah F1 Max covers only two such trips per charge, so it suits very short rides. Larger wheels and bigger batteries cost more and take longer to pay off, and the Mini is priced differently from the F1 Max above 4Ah, so check the product page for the exact configuration.
How we calculated it
- Fare: $15 for a one-way, 3-mile Uber or Lyft trip. This is an assumption for a short city trip. Your fare may be higher or lower.
- Frequency: 10 one-way trips a week, which is a round trip on five days. At $15 that is $150 a week, or $7,800 a year, in fares.
- Electricity: $0.17 per kWh and about 20 Wh per mile, which comes to roughly one cent per 3-mile trip. The rated range implies a slightly higher figure (the RS's 740 Wh over 31 miles is about 24 Wh per mile), but the difference is a fraction of a cent. A full 740 Wh charge of the RS costs roughly 13 cents before charger losses.
- Payback: (list price minus offer) divided by (fare minus electricity cost per trip), rounded up to a whole trip.
Each Verreal board page has a payback calculator where you can enter your own fare and trips per week, and it updates as you pick a battery or wheel option.
What if you take the subway or bus instead?
Transit fares are far lower than Uber fares, so payback takes months instead of weeks. Using the New York City subway fare of $3 (the fare since January 2026) and 10 trips a week:
- F1 Max 4Ah ($299 with offer): about 101 trips, or 10 weeks.
- RS ($549 with offer): about 184 trips, or 18 weeks (about four months).
- RS Pro Max 20Ah ($749 with offer): about 251 trips, or 25 weeks (about six months).
If you ride on a monthly pass, your cost per trip is lower still, so payback takes longer. Use your own fare in the calculator before you decide.
How often do you need to ride?
The RS pays for itself after about 37 Uber-priced trips, so how fast that happens depends on how often you replace a paid ride:
| Paid trips you replace per week | Time for the RS to pay for itself ($549 with offer, $15 fare) |
|---|---|
| 1 | About 37 weeks (8.5 months) |
| 2 | About 19 weeks (4 months) |
| 5 | About 7 weeks |
| 10 | About 4 weeks |
If you only replace one paid ride a week, payback takes most of a year. At that point an electric skateboard is a fun purchase rather than a money saver, and that is fine as long as you know it.
What the math leaves out
- The offer ends. Without the $250 offer, the RS ($799) takes about 54 trips, or five weeks at 10 trips a week.
- Safety gear. A helmet and protective gear are not included in any board price. Wear them on every ride.
- Wear and replacement parts. Belts, wheels and eventually the battery wear out. For example, a pack of two RS drive belts is $19.99 to $30.49 depending on length, a set of four 90mm PU wheels is $79, and the RS Pro 15Ah replacement battery is $399.
- Weather. Verreal boards are water resistant, not waterproof, and we do not recommend riding in the rain. Plan to pay for some rides on wet days. Read our guide on electric skateboard water resistance.
- Local rules. Where you can ride an electric skateboard on sidewalks, bike lanes and roads depends on your country, state and city. Check yours first.
- Carrying and distance. The board carries one rider, and the RS weighs 11-13 kg (24-29 lb). If your trip is longer than the board's range, you need a charger at your destination.
Which board fits which commute?
The cheapest board to buy is not always the cheapest to own. A 4Ah board pays off quickly but only covers very short trips, so a longer commute needs a bigger battery. Our guide to the best electric skateboards for commuting matches rated range to your round trip. For cost per kilometer, see the range per dollar comparison, and for prices across the lineup, read how much an electric skateboard costs. If you are on a tight budget, see the cheapest electric skateboards worth buying.
Electric skateboard cost FAQ
Is an electric skateboard cheaper than Uber?
Yes, if it replaces rides you would otherwise pay for. With a $15 fare and 10 trips a week, the Verreal RS pays for itself in about four weeks, and each trip after that costs about a cent in electricity. If you replace only one paid ride a week, payback takes most of a year.
Are electric skateboards worth it?
They are worth it if you ride often on trips you would otherwise pay for, your route is dry and legal to ride, and you are happy to carry the board and wear protective gear. If you ride only occasionally, the savings are small.
How much does it cost to charge an electric skateboard?
Very little. At $0.17 per kWh, a full charge of the RS's 740 Wh battery costs roughly 13 cents, and the F1 Max 4Ah's 144 Wh battery costs about 2.4 cents, before charger losses.
Is an electric skateboard cheaper than the subway or bus?
It can be, but payback is slower because fares are lower. At a $3 fare and 10 trips a week, the RS takes about four months to pay for itself. With a monthly pass, it takes longer.
How much does an electric skateboard cost?
Verreal boards start at $329 for the F1 Max and Mini with the 4Ah battery, and the RS series starts at $799 before offers. Our price guide covers batteries, wheels and parts.
Bottom line
An electric skateboard beats Uber on cost when you replace regular paid trips, and the savings start within weeks for a daily commuter. Use your own fare and trip count to check, and compare every option in the Verreal electric skateboard range. If you tell our team your route and weight, we will suggest a board.
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