Battery, Range & Charging

What the battery powers

All thirty-four karts are electric, so the pack does three jobs. It drives the kart, it runs the electronics — lighting, the Bluetooth radio, the USB charging port, the controls — and it powers the comfort options such as the heated, cooling and massage seats. Nothing has to stay plugged in between drives: you charge it, unplug it, and go.

One note before the detail: these are not toys. Drivers should wear a helmet, and you should check local laws on where an electric kart may be driven before you buy. Our choosing guide covers where to start if you have not picked a model yet.

What range depends on

Range is not a single number, and any figure quoted for one build will not hold true for every driver. The variables that move it most:

• Speed. Top speed across the range runs from 25 mph on the Defender Junior to 94 mph on the 964 Turbo and the Jesko Junior. Sustained high speed uses far more power than steady cruising, so a kart driven flat out will need charging much sooner than one driven gently.
• Surface. Smooth tarmac is the cheapest surface to drive on. Gravel, grass and loose dirt resist the tyres, and hills cost more again — the off-road and SUV builds work harder than the JDM cars for the same distance.
• Weight. A heavier driver, or a passenger's worth of extra load, increases what the motor has to move.
• Tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres roll badly and waste charge. Check pressures before a long session.
• Temperature. Cold weather shortens usable range; so does leaving the kart parked in freezing cold or direct sun.
• Accessories in use. Lights, the heated seat and a phone on the USB port all draw from the same pack.

Driving style and range

Most of the range you get is decided by the right foot rather than the battery. Ease off before corners instead of braking late, keep a steady throttle on straights, and avoid holding top speed for long stretches — a calm lap consistently returns more distance than an aggressive one. Start a session with a decent charge rather than running the pack down to empty, and if you are planning a long outing, charge the night before.

Charging

Charge the kart with the charger supplied with it, plugged into the charging port on the kart. Charging overnight is fine and will not overcharge the pack, and it is best to unplug once it is full. Do not leave the kart sitting flat for weeks at a time: if it is going into storage, put a top-up charge into it first and give it a top-up every month or so while it sits.

Battery specifications

• Chemistry: Lithium-ion (Li-ion) pack, fitted into the kart before it ships
• Voltage and capacity: Sized to the model — the pack fitted to your build is confirmed on your specification before production starts
• Charger: Supplied with the kart, so there is nothing extra to buy
• Charge time: Quoted per model on your specification
• Range: Depends on speed, terrain, driver weight, tyre pressure and temperature, as covered above
• Replaceability: The pack is a serviceable part; replacement units are available through MiniRPM support
• Warranty: 12 months on powered parts and electronics, covering the battery, charger and controls

If you want the figures for one specific build in writing before you order, email support@minirpm.com with the model and options you have in mind and we will confirm them.

International shipping note

The battery ships installed in the kart, packed in the crate rather than sent on its own. DSV handles all customs documentation for battery-powered builds, duties and taxes are shown at checkout for your country, and Air Freight (3–7 business days) or Sea Freight (30–45 business days) are both available at checkout.

Keeping the battery healthy

• Don't leave the kart fully drained for long periods — charge it when you notice it getting low.
• Avoid storing it in very cold or very hot conditions, and keep it out of standing water.
• If the kart will be unused for weeks, a top-up charge before storing it, and another every month, keeps the pack in good shape.
• Use the included charger only — the kart is designed to work with the supply that ships with it.
• Unauthorised modification of the electrical system is not covered by the warranty, so leave the wiring alone.

Which options are worth it for you

Everything that produces heat draws more from the pack than lights or a phone charger, so use the heated seat ($147), cooling seat ($155) and massage seat ($265) when you need them rather than leaving them on. Ambient lighting ($55), underglow lighting ($32), the Bluetooth radio ($95) and the USB charging port ($25) are light draws and worth having. The configurator only offers the options your chosen model supports, so there is no risk of ordering something the kart cannot take.

Karts worth looking at

These builds are the ones customers most often ask about when range and everyday use come up — see each model in the shop for the detail:

• Land Rover Defender Junior mini go kart — the slowest build in the range at up to 25 mph, and the easiest to live with around a property
• Mazda NA Miata Junior mini go kart — gentle power delivery that is kind to a first-time driver and to the pack
• 964 Turbo Junior mini go kart — the flagship, if top speed matters more than distance between charges