The advantages of electric karts

Electric karts offer a countless amount of advantages compared to the karts that run on internal combustion engines. OTL’s karts have specific features that enhance the advantage of electric power. On the whole, electric karts guarantee extremely high safety margins and low maintenance costs. Furthermore, they are the only karts suitable for indoor tracks without sacrificing fun or performance. Indeed, they are much better than the combustion driven karts. The use of electric propulsion and a proper track, designed in compliance with active and passive safety standards, better protect the economic investments. On the contrary, a track built according to traditional standards is risky in terms of serious accidents and environmental issues. Such track could end up having to close. It should be noted that national legislation, especially the European one, is trying to ban the use of internal combustion engines indoors (this is already in force in Switzerland, Sweden, etc…). All indoor circuits must therefore comply with these regulations once they become applicable. Many local Italian governments, aware of the environmental issues involved, are also no longer granting authorizations for outdoor tracks for combustion powered karts. However, they are extremely interested in electric karts since they represent both an educational and innovative message: an alternative to internal combustion engines. The advantages of electric power of Sodi karts, as compared to combustion engines, are as follows:

ZERO EMISSIONS

Emissions from internal combustion engines are usually carcinogenic. The electric engines of our karts do not release any substances.

CAN BE TOTALLY NOISE FREE

Upon request, a transmission belt can be installed instead of a transmission chain; the kart will thus no longer make any noise.

RISK OF WARMING UP THE ENVIRONMENT

No type of ventilation system is needed for indoor facilities with electric karts.

NO NEED TO STORE FUEL

All issues related to the current fire prevention regulations (Ministerial Decree, March 1998) that require a fire extinguisher on the premises can be avoided..

NO EXHAUST/PURIFICATION SYSTEMS NEEDEDI

No costly fume exhaust or purification system needed. These are indispensable however for indoor kart tracks that rely on internal combustion engines.

INTEGRAL BODY

An integral body fully covers all mechanical components. In fuel-powered karts, the drivers often burn their arms on the motor side of the kart, or scarves tend to get caught in the transmission gears and the tank above the motor comes off in case of accidents or fires can occur while refueling because the fumes come into contact with the burning hot tank. None of these problems occur with OTL Italy’s electric karts.

ROLLBAR IN CASE OF FLIPPING

This is mandatory in the US. Fuel-powered karts flip easily because they are lighter and their weight is not evenly distributed since the motor is on the right side. Flipping never occurs with electric karts as they run on 4 batteries, which makes them heavier (approx. 200 kg), and their weight is evenly distributed (two batteries on each side)..

DIFFERENTIAL

The differential is one of the essential elements that make this type of entertainment accessible to most. Steering is manageable and natural thanks to the differential. Therefore, there is no need to be an expert pilot.

DOUBLE SELF-VENTILATING DISK BRAKES WITH SELF-REGULATING PUMP

This type of system slowly fills the brake system with oil from the moment the brake pads start to wear.

ADJUSTABLE CASTER AND CAMBER

These make sure the forecarriage is perfectly adjusted for flawless driving. Furthermore, if the “C” frame breaks (where the steering spindle is attached), it can easily be replaced. In traditional karts, the “C” frame is welded and has to be unwelded and rewelded when broken, this rarely achieves any optimal results.

BRAKE LIGHT

Alerts when the drivers in front of you start braking.

REVERSE GEAR

Essential for changing directions if the cart starts spinning on itself. For fuel-powered karts, a qualified operator must go and push the karts backwards. Often, a driver must get out of the kart and to push it backwards, therefore risking to get hurt.

FOUR-POINT SAFETY BELT

Essential for ensuring the safety of the driver in case of an accident.

AUTOMATIC DISABLING OF THE THROTTLE

The throttle is disabled during braking as a security measure.

MOTOR BRAKE

In addition to the two disk brakes in the back, the motor brake facilitates braking and begins to work once the throttle is released. It also recovers energy by acting as a dynamo.

LOWER ENERGY COSTS

Electric energy is much less expensive than gas and does not require space for fuel storage or any relevant safety devices.

LESS MAINTANENCE

Only one mechanic is required, compared to the two needed for the fuel-powered karts. Maintenance, which is carried out daily, includes checking the battery charge status, tire pressure, the convergence of the front wheels, the brakes and chain tension as well as doing a general cleaning of the vehicle with compressed air.

EASY TO CONTROL

Thanks to a simple mechanism used to release and raise the body, the transmission, batteries, motor and controller are all easily accessible. Inspecting the kart is therefore a very quick procedure that saves a considerable amount of time when compared to fuel-powered vehicles.

LONGER RENTAL LIFE

Electric karts have a rental life of over 5 years when maintained correctly and regularly, as required for all rental vehicles. Fuel-powered karts last for a year and half in the best of cases. After this period, the motors and frames must be replaced since most of them tend to get bent due to the extreme torsion stress encountered in curves with karts that don’t have a differential.

NO PROTECTIVE SUIT NEEDED FOR DRIVER

No protective suit against dirt or oil is needed since the electric karts are entirely clean and all operational components are located under the body.

EXTREMELY LOW INSURANCE COSTS

Since they are equipped with security devices (roll-bars located above the head, brake lights, safety belts, polyethylene bumpers with shock absorbers, remote-control, etc…), the annual civil liability insurance costs are practically cut in half compared to the fuel-powered karts. Furthermore, primary insurance companies no longer insure the latters because they are deemed high-risk.

EXTREMELY EASY TO OBTAIN AN AUTHORIZATION

It is extremely easy to obtain an authorization for indoor facilities, while it continues to be more and more difficult for karts with internal combustion engines due to the increased awareness with regards to the environmental issues involved.

NO RISK OF WORK-RELATED ILLNESS FOR EMPLOYEES

In an indoor facility with fuel-powered karts, there is a rather high probability that employees will develop work-related illnesses in the long term. Anything from partial hearing loss to insensitivity to smells due to the gas fumes, or from respiratory problems due to excessive exposure to exhaust gases and fine particles to possibly serious accidents that can occur when entering the pit or when moving karts backwards. Finally, fuel exhausts darken the entire facility, which therefore requires frequent cleaning and painting.