2024-02-23 15:40:00
It’s a curious hybrid machine that sits somewhere between the Segway and the snowboard. The Norman startup E-Line is preparing to launch on the market, under the Skwheel brand, what is presented as “ the world’s first electric skis “. But forget the spatulas and sticks. These do not adapt well to the snow cover. They are equipped with two pairs of directional wheels, two batteries and a wireless remote control which regulates speed and braking.
Transportable like a suitcase on wheels, they can be used with classic shoes and on all types of terrain: from the beach, to asphalt, via forest paths to the green and blue slopes of the resorts (provided that they are without snow). Their two engines propel them to a choice of 25 km/h in town and up to 80 elsewhere. “ They provide the same sliding sensation as classic skis and can be handled as easily as a scooter because the very low center of gravity is very reassuring. », assures Joseph Dahirel, co-founder and commercial director.
Obviously, the first users were convinced. Aurélien Ducroz, double world ski champion freeridewho tested them speaks of them as a “ good surprise ». « It really feels like you’re skiing », he comments in a video where we see him, wearing Skwheels, hurtling down the steep roads of Martinique at full speed. Less daredevil, the INPI, which has integrated E-Line into its “ startup program “, prefers to speak of it as a ” soft mobility solution to meet the environmental and travel challenges of tomorrow ».
An alternative to downhill skiing?
Connected skis have also attracted Business France, which has brought its designers on board for the Las Vegas tech high mass. Those interested had no reason to complain regarding the effects of the show. The crowdfunding campaign launched during CES allowed them to collect more than 105,000 euros in pre-orders, not to mention promising commercial touches. “ A dozen international distributors and several ski resorts approached us following CES », Indicates Joseph Dahirel.
Prudently, the company took care to protect its concept for “ stay one step ahead “. Two patents have been filed with the support of the INPI, three others are in the process of being filed and around ten others are announced by September. In the meantime, the company, which is registered in Conteville in Eure, began looking for a site “ somewhere between Rouen and Le Havre » to install its future assembly plant there. “ The electronics will come from China and all the mechanical parts from Europe », specifies its commercial director. The first deliveries are expected this summer for a price of between 1,600 and 2,200 euros per pair.
In the sights of the three co-founders, connected urbanites, but also mountain resort operators who climate change is pushing to look for alternatives to classic skiing. E-Line promises them a second version of its machine on wheels “ with big suspensions » designed for black slopes. A positioning that owes nothing to chance as snow is lacking almost everywhere, except at high altitude.
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