Rotax have tried this and failed, very limited fields, some other brand have had a go, very limited fields. And now FIA want to have a go……
And then we have all issues.
I’ve driven the Blue Shock package and it was a blast. I’ve worked on lithium ion battery system design in the ground-based EV and aerospace world for 10 years, and the biggest issues I see with the FIA regs as I see them presented here:
>Mandating the battery volume as being effectively just the existing fuel tank volume: I can understand not wanting batteries out on the chassis sides, in the region where the side pods normally crumple in large collisions, but there’s simply not enough physical volume in the fuel tank area to fit a pack that can output 28kW (38 HP) for full length races without doing a pretty deep depth of discharge (effectively using most of the pack energy in a single session). If you look at what Blue Shock or the F.A.T. league uses, they’re putting packs on both sides of the driver (because they need the volume) and they only partially discharge in a single session. (I think I was burning like 20% of a charge in a 5 min warmup session. Smaller pack means less energy, which means using most of the pack every session, which is harder on the long-term performance of the cells.
>Limiting the pack voltage to 60V: I know there are safety guidelines that consider anything over 60V as hazardous and thus worthy of extra safety, but such a limited voltage for something that’s going to be pushing 28kW seems a little mis-sized. Even at top voltage that means a 466A current draw at full power, and definitely 500A and more as the voltage sags. That’s a LOT of current, and will require some hefty HV cabling, and more robust and expensive contactors, current sensors, speed controllers, etc. and generate a lot of waste heat. Even just doubling the voltage to a modest 120V would keep the current draw under 300A and reduce the heat load by 4x.
I’m excited to see what people come up with for this, but I’d really like to see the full technical regulations first because there’s definitely some engineering challenges with these restrictions to make a system that isn’t prohibitively expensive.
Not sure how this is could be a bad thing.
E-karting needs to start somewhere. Homologations allow a sanctioned product to be developed for global use, right? Then we can see how the market responds to what comes out?
I think its great to explore new things in karting.. Other than new fuels for ICE or other motor manufactures Tillotson as one. What else is there.. Bring them on. Some of the technology like Batteries need to advance in size other than that they are brutally fast with the torque and quick to speed… And to get tracks to accept them..
Solid state batteries, if they deliver the goods, will be a watershed moment. Then the problem will be power generation & delivery infrastructure. Good luck with the “renewables" fantasy. If anything, current infrastructures are sufficient to meet energy demands for karting, but it’ll be blackout city when pure EVs start overtaking the automotive market & plugging into the grid.
I hate the idea of ev in general.
Why wait recharging for couple hours whereas we can fill up gas tank for under 1 minute for karts. For cars from empty to full under 10mins.
Why just why. Making the battery itself is also polluting the air.
From what I’ve seen the batteries can be charged in about 15-20 mins on a fast charger.
Yep charging times are shorter than couple hours .. 15 to 20 minutes. FIA needs to talk to Blueshock / OTL / FAT League and others. Before they had made the rules they have implemented. Don’t think battery size technology has got where batteries are small enough to just fit where gas tank is for distance running .. I may be wrong don’t know.. Technology changes from day to day on battery’s. Would LOVE to hear from more people who have run these Full Race Ekarts and there input and thoughts of the whole thing and how they liked the karts of any electric make ??
Oh that one is fast.. but those fast charger cost is gonna be higher right?
But in general. To me, fun part is where u can hear engine noise. I watched formula-e couple nut its just didnt give me the thrill of racing. Its like watching those rc cars.
At K1 Speed in Canton Ohio the owner had batteries designed and had them made by a battery company and installed in his karts. He can charge the batteries at different charging rates and levels for big endurance events.. So Yes battery charging rates can change..
You can make compromises on speed and duration of runs of course. Swappable modular batteries are a thing, not an insignificant cost though.
Looking at the responses on social media, it’s interesting how much resistance some people put up against something that’s not even intended for them 
lastly, I’m not convinced that it’s really a track problem that’s slowing adoption. I’m not in denial that some tracks are not super welcoming because they’re concerned about fire hazards. Whether that’s found it or not that’s a different discussion. I’m just saying that that’s the perception of some tracks and operators and drivers have
I think most tracks would it would accommodate electric karts if there was a genuine interest but at this point, as far as purchasing one is concerned, the price is just a little high for adoption right now for people that own and operate the own karts. For rental operations we’re seeing more high performance setups like FAT electric karts series.
i’m curious to hear feedback from people who run the FAT series so far see if their thoughts are on them. Anybody here on the forums driven the FAT series
Yes. The truly fast chargers cost about the same as gas station.
I can relate to that. I prefer gas karts for that reason. I also prefer the inefficiency of the gas kart bottom end. You are rewarded for managing your speed well and keeping revs up. Electric powerband is too good on bottom end.
From what I heard when FAT ran at Badger, the senior kart’s were slower than the 206s in overall lap time. Much faster on the straight but dogs in the corner from the weight.
Just hearsay.
I’m not against the electric go karts but I also have zero interest. Unless it was solving a problem I had I don’t see a compelling reason to consider it. Any major change is going to be a large cost to the racer. For some that it no big deal, for others it would be crippling.
The 206 currently meets all of our needs. A switch to electric would be costly and I doubt it would do anything in regards to consistency and parity. Someone will figure out how to make their kart 3% faster and before you know it everyone will be buying X batteries and Y motors…
Well be wanting to say this for awhile . I think people are looking at Ekarts in the wrong light. They are not here to replace gas . Its just a different option. People say its too heavy or this or that. Its just a different animal than a gas kart . Yea its heavy and different handling and alot of different things than gas but its not to be compared to a gas. Its its own kind of race kart. Kind of like stock cars are to F1s two very different kinds of vehicles. There are alot of K1Speeds and others cropping up and alot of great drivers that go to gas after electric rentals. But there are alot of people who are use to electric karts and how they are. And would like to race a full race ekart.. So FIA is making a category for a ekart.. So why even compare them to gas karts. Or thinking they are a replacement there NOT. There just a different option for people. To help grow the sport as a whole.. I have defended ekarts a lot on this forum and have got alot of flack from it thats ok. I even had to sit back and take a different approach on the subject.. And looked at it from a grownup side like DOM said.. I wish the best for ekarts and gas karts.. And hope both people who love both can get along about the subject.. There is enough room in karting for both.. And hope for other kinds of propulsion for karts if that comes along someday to find a place in karting too.. Its a very interesting time in karting like it was in the 70s when I raced .. With 2 engines vs singles..
Look this is Ekart Racing Hopefully Coming to A Track Near You in the Future !!! Blue Shock Ekart Race Karts at there Best !!!
Until we get a break through in battery or motor tech, I don’t see the point. Especially when the tracks don’t have the facilities to charge that many batteries nor that they have the money to upgrade facilities.
Pushing for renewable fuel (or at least E85) would have made much more sense
Edit : I just hope the FIA mandates a real engineering company and not some that only assemble off the shelf Chinese parts like 100% of the eKart market right now
If anybody doubts what Electric can do. Look at BSRs Endurance post they are getting better with the technology everyday.. And the karts weights…