Three brand-new electric go-karts from Kandi America are ready for off-road enjoyment.
Indeed, off-road go-karts with different displacement combustion engines are widely available these days. Those antiques have been in existence for a long time. However, there aren’t many solutions available if you want to enjoy off-road karting without the emissions from petrol engines, loud noises, engine maintenance and other drawbacks.
The few electric off-road karts available are either car-sized, made for kids, or have so-bad specs that they take away all the enjoyment.
Enter Kandi America, which seems to have pivoted away from its original NEV plans years ago, leveraging its other expertise in electric golf carts and eUTVs to bring us a mashup of the two: off-road electric go-karts.
The entry-level model in the new go-kart lineup is the Kandi Cyber 1000. It dances dangerously close to Cyberquad aesthetics but offers significantly better performance than the Tesla Cyberquad for Kids and is significantly more likely to exist than the full-size adult-sized Tesla Cyberquad vaporware.
The Cyber 1000 is still fairly entry-level, so its specs aren’t exactly going to blow away most karting enthusiasts. But for its US $2,799 price, which is pretty darn affordable by electric go-kart standards, it still looks like it can offer a fun time.
The 264 lb (120 kg) two-seater kart comes with a 1,000W motor, though that’s the continuous rating and thus it likely puts out higher peak power. The top speed is listed at 15 mph (25 km/h) and the max range is 25 miles (40 km) thanks to the 48V 30Ah (1.4 kWh) battery.
At just 72 inches long (6 ft or 1.82 meters), it’s fairly compact, too. While this is the smallest model in the lineup, it can still support a max payload of 352 lb (160 kg). That’s two average-sized adults or one hefty fella and his kid.
Upgrading to the Cyber 3000 triples the power to 3000 watts, which might explain the switch from shoulder belts to four-point harnesses. The Cyber 3000 is also a larger kart, measuring just over 8 feet or 2.5 meters long and weighing 683 lb (310 kg).
The maximum speed is increased to 18 mph (30 km/h), which isn’t a huge jump, but with the right twisty dirt track you’ll be more focused on the 3,000 watts going into the acceleration than the top speed.
The larger 3.78 kWh battery and bigger motor are likely a major part of the additional weight, though the larger vehicle size and other upgrades like true double-wishbone front suspension don’t make the kart any lighter. The rear seems to have a similar swingarm axle suspension to the Cyber 1000, albeit with a larger axle-mounted electric motor.
Despite tripling the motor power and nearly tripling the battery capacity, the Cyber 3000’s MSRP creeps up to just US $3,799, or just a grand over its little brother.
The third member of the lineup is the Kandi Dart 3000, which appears to feature the same powertrain as the Cyber 3000, though in a slightly wider and slightly lighter chassis. Gone are the cyber-themed body panels, and it looks like the Dart 3000 might have a bit more suspension travel, though the images could be playing with my mind.
The interior is a bit spartan, but that’s par for the course with go-karts. You’re here for the fun, not for the creature comforts.
“Engineered for enthusiasts who crave power, performance, and the freedom to explore, the Dart 3000 combines robust features with unparalleled reliability,” explained the company. “Whether navigating rugged terrains or enjoying a leisurely ride through off-beaten paths, this go-kart stands ready to deliver an unforgettable experience.”