Whether you’re driving a petrol or electric go-kart you’re guaranteed some serious fun, but the big debate amongst drivers is still which is best. Here at Karting Nation we have over 75 circuits across the country, and offer both petrol and electric karts, so we can see the pros and cons of both. To give you an idea of some of the main differences here’s a quick comparison:
Foot to Pedal
The Guinness World Record for the fastest Electric Go-Kart was set in Germany, with the driver hitting 0-60 mph in a jaw-dropping 2.5 seconds! Electric karts are just as fast on the track too, and drivers get instant power and acceleration as soon as they hit the pedal.
Speed
The average electric kart can reach a maximum of 80mph, whilst some petrol karts are designed to reach speeds as high as 160 mph. Petrol karts may drive faster, but electric karts give drivers a bigger head start thanks to their instant acceleration, meaning the two are fairly even in terms of pure speed. But don’t worry about those top speeds too much, as the average speed you’ll reach at most circuits is 40mph.
Handling
Petrol-powered engines are considered better in terms of handling due to their lighter weight- which makes them ideal for travelling around corners at high speeds. Electric Karts have the torque to hit similar high speeds on the straights though, so any advantage in the corners can be made up on the straights.
Green with Envy
With no engine to conceal, electric go-karts can travel at top speed without making too much noise, whereas petrol karts have quite a distinctive grunt. Unlike petrol karts, the electric engined karts are fully Eco-friendly too, and they don’t omit any fumes. So if you love saving the environment as much as you love racing they’re the perfect choice.
The one thing we can promise about both electric and petrol powered engines is that getting behind the wheel in both is an unforgettable experience. There are few times in life where you get the chance to become a racing driver- so why not take the opportunity to book a day at one of Karting Nation’s 79 circuits.