Gasoline and Electric Karts – Pros and Cons

Kart enthusiasts have more options these days than in the past. It used to be that if you wanted a cool go kart, you would remove the gas engine from your dad’s John Deer lawnmower without his permission and face the consequences later.

Now, with the significant increase in technology in the last 10 years, you have the possibility of choosing an electric car instead of a gasoline one. The real question is, “which is better”? That really is a decision that only you can make, but with some knowledge and research, you will be sure to make the best decision for yourself.

gasoline go kart

Advantages:

1. Power – A gasoline engine will have more horsepower and therefore a higher top speed than an electric motor.
2. Travel time – You will have longer travel times with a gas kart, whereas an electric kart will need to be charged more frequently.
3. Sustainability

Cons:

1. Safety – less suitable for children due to increased speed
2. Emissions: Due to the use of gas, fumes are emitted and therefore riders are at risk of inhaling the fumes, which is not good for indoor tracks.
3. Maintenance costs: Gas engines have more mechanical parts and therefore more problems can arise.

electric go kart

Advantages:

1. Safety – Best suited for younger children, speeds and chances of tipping over are significantly reduced
2. Maintenance costs – with fewer mechanical parts having problems, the total cost will be much lower
3. Emissions: With a battery powered kart there are NO emissions. This is safer for your child and for the environment.
4. Price: Prices are usually around $200 dollars, while a gas kart can cost up to $500

Cons:

1. Travel time: For every minute of travel, you need one minute of charging time. This significantly reduces travel time.
2. Power – Even though technology has vastly improved over the years, electric go-karts still can’t perform as well as gas-powered go-karts in terms of raw power.
3. Durability – Most electric carts built for the consumer market tend to be made with lower quality frames because they are not built for high performance.

So as you can see, there are many pros and cons to each type of cart. They seem to be evenly matched in my opinion and it will basically come down to your personal preference and what is best for your situation. Many indoor racetracks use electricity and gasoline, so you can go and try both before making your decision.

Whatever you choose, I know you will have a lot of fun and make many memories with your family. So go out and give it a try!