With car prices (both new and used) reaching an all time high, there has never been a better time to consider alternative modes of transport. 

Why not move away from traveling in a car every day to getting around on a faster, more eco-friendly electric bike or skateboard? You can save money, time, and the planet - with one simple switch. 

If you are considering making the switch then you should read the following six tips first and follow their advice before doing so.  

#1 - Check that they are legal to use in your state 

Our first piece of advice is to check that the type of electric vehicle you want is legal in your state. The UK has seen a huge boom in its electric scooter market, however, they are illegal to use on public property and are therefore being confiscated en masse by the police. 

Electric bikes and skateboards are much less frowned upon, but it is important that you check whether you can use them in your area before you shell out for one. This is a piece of information that you can very easily find online - your local government or road safety department will have a section on their website about it. 

#2 - Think about where you will store it 

When choosing to switch over to an electric vehicle, and when choosing between an electric bike or skateboard one of the most important questions you will need to ask yourself is - where will you store it? 

Answering where you will store your electric bike at home is probably an easy question for most of us. However, you also need to think about where you will store it when you are at work, or if you have ridden it to the grocery store, where will you store it there? 

You do not want to get your vehicle stolen.  

#3 - Think about how and when you will charge it 

The next question you need to ask yourself is how and when you will charge your electric vehicle. Again, it is probably easy to work out where you will charge your vehicle at home. You will most likely plug it into your mains and charge it overnight - doing this will most likely cost you under $1. 

However, you will also need to think about how you are going to charge your electric vehicle when you are not at home. Does your town have outside charging stations? Does your work have space available for charging electric vehicles? 

#4 - Make sure you get one with enough battery life 

Before you commit to one type of electric vehicle you should be careful that it meets all your needs. For example, if you travel to work early in the morning then you are not going to want a loud electric motor. 

You will also want to make sure that the vehicle has adequate battery life. You do not want to get stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery - or even worse, have your battery die while you are halfway up that awful hill on the way to work. 

You can find this information and many more helpful pieces of information on the Sturdywheel website.

#5 - Have a budget in mind before you start shopping 

One of the best tips we have for making sure you end up with the right electric bike or skateboard for you, is to decide on your budget before you start shopping. 

While some of the more expensive models on the market are charging more for a reason, not all of them are. Some of the cheaper models can be just as good. Make sure that you are not dismissing the lower priced models, they may be able to offer you everything you want at a better price point! 

#6 - Plan a safe route for your first journey 

Our final tip is - once you have bought your electric vehicle, plan out a safe test route that you can use for your first journey. 

You should take things slow when you start riding an electric bike or skateboard. You need to give yourself time to get used to the power levels that you didn't previously have. You also need to get used to moving around in traffic at higher speeds and doing so around pedestrians too. 

But, don't forget to have fun on your maiden voyage. Try out the higher speeds and enjoy the new power at your fingertips. Take on that impossible hill.