Electric vs. Gas RC Cars

If you are thinking of taking up RC cars as a hobby, you are probably trying to decide between electric vs. gas RC cars. When comparing electric vs. gas RC cars, there is no one right answer. The choice is simply not a one-size-fits-all decision and certain factors must be considered.

Preliminary considerations

Powered by electric motors and battery packs, electric RC cars must be recharged approximately every 10 to 15 minutes for about 30 minutes at a time. With an electric RC car, purchasing extra battery packs that can be charged ahead of time and used as needed is advisable. Beginners to the hobby often prefer electric RC cars because they are easier to use and quieter than RC nitro cars.

Speed considerations

Because electric RC cars are also slower in speed and less powerful than nitro RC cars, they offer the beginning RC enthusiast the opportunity to develop an initial feel for this hobby. Although off-road electric RC cars can attain speeds of 15 to 30 mph and on-road electric RC cars can reach speeds of 20 to 40 mph, nitro gas RC cars can attain speeds of 20 to 60 mph on-road or off-road and even more with experienced hobbyists. RC nitro cars operate on specially formulated, combustible fuel and produce odorous exhaust vapors. Although an RC nitro car can run for about 15 minutes on a full tank of fuel, the car can run virtually forever as long as the nitro is continually supplied. Thus, if you feel the need for speed and think you are up to the challenge, nitro gas RC cars may provide the satisfaction you are looking for.

With a little research, electric and RC cars can be compared. Then you can choose the right one for you.