Performance Characteristics

Before we dive into the benefits of each battery chemistry, let’s look at some of the factors that contribute to the runtime or autonomy of the kart itself.

1.     Performance – The faster you drive any vehicle, gas or electric, the more energy will be consumed. The same is true for frequent acceleration compared to maintaining a constant speed.
2.     Weight – The heavier a vehicle is, the more power is needed to get that vehicle up to speed. Once the speed is achieved, the rate of consumption will stabilize.
3.     Elevation – Elevation changes, natural or manmade, will require higher power consumption to make it up the hills. E-karts rarely include inverters to regenerate electricity to recharge the batteries.
4.     Maintenance – Batteries require frequent maintenance to ensure that they perform at their peak for the life of the pack. Balancing or trickle charging will ensure that the effects of high speed battery charging are minimized, regardless of the chemistry.

 Chemistry Differences 

Lead Acid Batteries for Go Karts

Lead Acid Batteries are the original battery chemistry for electric go karts. They meet the vast majority of operator’s needs and drivers’ physical capabilities. These batteries are regularly available around the world, have a relatively low price, are resilient to environmental factors, and are easily replaceable at the end of their service life. The downside to a Lead Acid battery is the reduced service life, added weight, and shorter run times compared to other chemistry options. Lead acid batteries may suffer from performance fall-off as they reach the end of their service life or as the pack voltage is reduced towards the end of a session.

 Lithium Batteries

Lithium Batteries have become more common in consumer devices over the last 15 years and are quickly becoming a de facto option for many kart manufacturers; many require that you use their lithium batteries with no alternatives available. These batteries feature lower weight, greater energy density, and do not suffer from performance fall off as their overall voltage reduces due to use. One of the key benefits manufacturers cite is their longer service life as well, potentially 3-5 years or more. The downside to a lithium battery pack includes proprietary technology only available from a single source, difficulty shipping packs from manufacturer to operator, complexity of the BMS system, and the price. Lithium batteries can be more sensitive to impact damage which may negate the advertised benefit of a longer service life. Finally, once a lithium battery pack is deemed unusable, operators will need to coordinate an approved recycling program. 

 Swappable Batteries

Swappable batteries leverage the energy density of a lithium battery while blending the operating mentality of many gas/petrol karting tracks. This concept has been around for several years but most major karting manufacturers have opted for a fixed-battery strategy. These batteries feature smaller capacities to keep size down and a plug system to reduce the transition time from one pack to the other. Rather than purchase multiple karts, operators will purchase multiple batteries instead to reduce their initial investment. The other benefits of this system mirror those of a standard lithium battery. The downsides of a swappable lithium battery also mirror those of the lithium packs but add one key difference to the operation – efficiency. Swappable batteries require additional staff to change the batteries between each session and ensure that they are charged before releasing customers on track, potentially impacting your profitability, operating efficiency, and professional appearance.

Which battery chemistry is right for you?

 When comparing battery chemistries and building your business plan, there are a few key factors that will need to be considered. 

1. Budget – Starting a go kart business can be a financially intensive project for many customers. Determining your initial budget will frequently determine what battery chemistry you can afford.
   1. If your kart manufacturer has an upgrade path to lithium available, a Lead Acid battery could be an excellent way to start your business and upgrade as funds permit
   2. If funds don’t permit a larger number of karts, swappable batteries could be a good option for the short term but can significantly limit your ability to generate revenue during peak periods of the week/month/year. 
2. Session Length – When you are planning your operation, determining a session length will be vital to calculating your financial projections. It is important to remember not to exhaust your clients before they can get back in the kart again! 
   1. If you plan to run a session less than 8 minutes in total turnover time, the choices for batteries are inconsequential. Buy what you can afford! 
   2. If you plan to run sessions longer than 10 minutes regularly, have lots of elevation changes, or where performance is paramount to your guest experience, Lithium batteries will provide a more consistent racing experience. 
   3. If you offer endurance races, you can opt for lithium batteries in a single kart for a team or you can bring pit strategy into the mix and offer lead acid batteries while providing the same overall result. 
3. Availability – Electric kart manufacturers have a variety of battery options available to them but some decisions in the development cycle will be required. Many manufacturers today will require operators to use a lithium battery because they don’t offer an alternative method. 
   1. If your battery is not available for local purchase, you will want to purchase additional batteries to keep on hand for warranty cases or in the event of damage to minimize the downtime of a kart. Confirm with your manufacturer what the lead time is for a replacement battery
   2. If your battery is available for local purchase, ensure that your supplier has the ability to stock batteries in the event of a warranty claim or damage. 
4. Complexity – Electric karts and their batteries require frequent maintenance to ensure the best overall performance, reliability and durability to ensure a smooth life of strong results regardless of the battery chemistry. If maintenance staff are unavailable or unreliable, batteries can become an expensive headache. 
   1. Lithium batteries typically include a Battery Management System (BMS) which controls how and when a battery can be used/recharged. Low quality equipment, improper/infrequent maintenance, and high usage can affect your operating capacity. 
   2. Lead acid batteries either work or don’t work which makes testing and troubleshooting simple and easy so karts can be quickly diagnosed and put back on track. 

Kart1 Strategy

At Kart1 Distribution, we truly understand that no 2 karting businesses have the same requirements. We have developed an electric go kart battery strategy that addresses owner/operator concerns that we have seen in our more than 20 years of business. For new operators, those with limited budgets, or those that want to spend less effort on routine maintenance, we believe that a Lead Acid battery approach is the right solution. For experienced operators, those with larger budgets, or businesses where performance is the ultimate requirement, Lithium batteries for your electric go kart will provide a no-compromises experience. If you already have electric go karts or want to make the jump from lead to lithium, Kart1 has a solution for you as well! Our lithium batteries are designed to be a direct replacement for the standard 12v Lead Acid batteries and an entire fleet can be swapped in just a few hours! 

Conclusion 

As you can see, there is a lot more to selecting a battery than simply saying “I want a lithium battery” than meets the eye. The considerations of the overall industry do not always reflect the requirements of the business that is being developed or the current market conditions. At Kart1 Distribution, we have worked in conjunction with OTL ElectroKart to develop a battery strategy that supports customers that have been in business since the early 2000’s and a pathway for future generations of karting enthusiasts to have the best technology available. If you’re considering jumping into the electric karting industry and you haven’t been presented a few options for your batteries, contact Kart1l today and we can help you evaluate what your business actually needs and develop a quote for your specific business. 

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This year we are on the main floor at booth 4413, come visit us!

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If you’ve decided to open an electric karting center, congrats! Electric karting centers offer an attractive ROI and are always a fun and exciting industry to be in. Choosing between having an indoor or an outdoor track could be challenging though.

Your track could be indoor, outdoor or even a combination of both. So, what are the questions you need to ask yourself when choosing between these options?

Unfortunately, there is not a single right answer to these questions. It really comes down to your business necessities, location and the experience you want to offer to your customers.

In this article, we will do our best to assist you in making an educated decision by explaining the benefits and challenges that either option represents.

Indoor Vs Outdoor Go Kart Tracks

Outdoor Tracks — Pros

• Outdoor karting is an excellent option for sunny days.
• Outdoor tracks can be outstanding for their great landscapes.
• You’ll be offering a more authentic racing experience to your customers.
• Outdoor tracks are generally longer and wider than indoor tracks.
• A wider track design gives racers more freedom to maneuver and show off their skills.
• The average speed is usually faster than on an indoor track.
• Caters to professional and semi-professional drivers.
• Hosts professional and semi-professional leagues and events.
• A perfect stepping stone for improving competitive driving techniques.

Outdoor Tracks — Cons

• Subject to climate conditions. Rainy days are no-race days / no revenue
• Your business will be seasonal and controlled by the environmental circumstances and debris.
• Possible difficulties for development.
• Locations are usually isolated in a rural area with less access to high traffic.

Who needs an outdoor track?

Ask yourself these questions:

a. Is your location in an area with great weather year-round?

b. Do you want to appeal to a more advanced karting market?

c. Are you looking to reduce utility and construction costs?

If you answered yes to at least 2 of these 3 questions, then an outdoor track is a good option for you.

Indoor Tracks — Pros

• Rain or shine, race 365 days a year. Great for revenue!
• Indoor karts usually offer additional safety features compared to regular outdoor karts.
• Indoor karting is great for friends and family, birthday parties and corporate events.
• Attracts a broad market, from beginners to experienced racers.
• Indoor track design can be more technical than outdoors.

Indoor Tracks — Cons

• The size of an indoor track is limited to the building’s layout.
• Race speed is usually slower than on an outdoor circuits.
• It is hard to build banked turns in an indoor building.
• Retail locations and warehouses can be susceptible to higher rents and utilities.

Who needs an indoor track?

a. Is your desired location at a shopping mall or a high traffic area?

b. Is your business purpose to entertain?

c. Is operating your business year-round a top priority?

If you answered yes to at least 2 of these 3 questions, then an indoor track is a good option for you.

Our Conclusion

By now you should be familiar with both the benefits and challenges of choosing between an outdoor and an indoor karting track.

As you can see, the right decision really depends on your business preferences. Outdoor tracks will foster an advanced karting environment, while indoor tracks seek to provide an entertaining experience.

Any option you choose we hope you have great success in your karting venture.

Karting Resources and References:

OTL Electric Karts
Protex Karting Barriers
Kart1 — One-Stop-Shop for Karting Centers
Sakamoto Tires — Cost Efficient Karting Tires
12 Minutes of Sebring Kart Racing — VIDEO
K1speed — Indoor Karting Center — Google Tour

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Some of our largest customers include K1 Speed, Autobahn Indoor Speedway, MB2 Raceway, RPM Raceway, Pole Position Raceway, Veloce Indoor Speedway, and many more.

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