What Is Faster: Gas RC Cars Or Electric RC Cars?

When a person drives an RC car for the first time, a love at first sight relationship will likely occur. Overall, speed is one of the factors that seems to most appeal to the fans of this sport. For this reason, it is valid to ask the question: which RC car is faster, gasoline or electric?

The fastest RC cars nowadays are the electric ones. An electric RC car can reach up to 200 mph. In comparison, the gasoline RC car reaches a top speed of 70 mph. Gasoline cars were the fastest in the past. But that trend has changed in favor of electrics in recent years.

But beyond the speed, what determines each person's choice is people's overall preferences. We should not think that speed is the only influencing factor when purchasing an RC. But we will go much deeper into the different advantages of electric and gasoline RC cars in the following sections of this article.

What Are The Determining Factors When Choosing An Rc Car?

As we mentioned initially, speed is a significant factor when evaluating the RC car options on the market. But other factors influence the purchase decision. Let's review some of them below.

The Available Budget And Vehicle Costs

The purchase price of the RCs and maintenance costs are dominant factors when deciding whether to opt for an electric vehicle or a gasoline one. All models involve an initial investment, whether they are ready to use RC's or in kit mode. The more sophisticated and specialized, the more the investment will be.

Electric motor cars for adults can be an expensive option depending on the level of the model and the type of battery. Electric RCs are more economical in the long run since we will not have to spend on gasoline, and maintenance costs are also lower.

Time Available And Storage Space Of The RC Car

Time and storage space are other factors that can tip the balance when deciding between electric or gasoline. Although this activity can be considered a hobby, it is no exaggeration to say that it will require time.

This time consists of studying manuals, assembling parts, performing maintenance, and a lot of practice time. This dedication applies to both off-the-shelf cars and assembly kits.

The other element to consider is the space to store the RC when not in use. This space is critical with large-scale gasoline models.

Our Personal Preferences

We can not calculate everything according to what the manuals or experts say. Let's not forget that this activity is a chosen hobby, not imposed by anyone, so our personal preference is who will have the last word.

Some hobbyists prefer gas RCs because of their close resemblance to full-size vehicles in fuel, parts, smell, and engine sounds. Other hobbyists prefer the practicality of electric RCs. Mainly because of the associations they can make with their childhood remote control cars.

Ready To Run RC Cars Vs. Kit Vehicles

In the last few years, companies have launched RC RTR (ready to use) models. We take these vehicles out of the box, and we can use them immediately, without the need to assemble parts or take additional steps. These vehicles are ideal for beginners.

But on the other hand, more experienced hobbyists prefer vehicle kits. This RC consists of a series of separate parts that the person must assemble to create a car that can function correctly.

Main Advantages And Disadvantages Of RC Electric Cars

Electric RC cars have multiplied in recent years. This development of the electric segment is partly due to the technological innovations that the new models offer to the market. We will now review their main advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages Of RC Electric Cars

The performance of their batteries allows a longer driving time.
The maintenance is effortless in these vehicles.
They are quieter than gasoline models.
They have the "ready to run" mode. The only thing the person needs to do is to charge the battery.
The ignition of the car is faster compared to gasoline vehicles.
It is an accessible vehicle to upgrade.
It is very versatile since we can use it outdoors and indoors.
It is entirely odorless; it has no smell of gasoline.
Most of the models are waterproof, which means that we can drive them in wet places.
Experts recommend it as the ideal equipment for beginners.
It is currently the fastest type of RC.

Disadvantages Of RC Electric Cars

Brushless electric motors are very efficient and powerful. Still, at the same time, they are much more expensive than other types of motors.
The "ready to run" models do not offer the pleasure that some hobbyists seek to assemble each part by hand.
You must buy battery packs, special chargers, and sometimes higher quality battery upgrades to keep the car running for longer periods.

Main Advantages And Disadvantages Of RC Gas Cars

RC gas cars will always be a classic. Their similarity to full-size cars guarantees them a captive fan base. In order to better understand this type of car, let's know its main advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages Of RC Gas Cars

It has a long service life.
The cost of fuel is lower in the long run compared to nitro-type RC cars.
It needs little fuel.
It has excellent power and performance.
The models are miniature replicas of full-size cars, not only in appearance but also in mechanical operation.
It is a desirable car for hobbyists who are looking for large-scale RCs.

Disadvantages Of RC Gas Cars

This vehicle requires ample space to operate due to its large volume.
It weighs more than other types of RC.
They are noisy vehicles.
It can leak or spill fuel.

How Fast Are Gas-powered RC Cars?

Usually, gasoline RC cars have speeds ranging from 10 mph to 70 mph.

What Makes Electric RC Cars Go Faster?

The road to elevate the speed of an electric RC car is to make changes and improvements to the vehicle. Here are some of the actions we can take to make the RC car go faster.

Make Improvements To The Motor

Many electric cars come with a brushless motor, but if not, the next step is to change the motor for a brushless one. Unfortunately, this motor can be pretty expensive. This change also involves changing other parts to make it compatible.

Changing The Battery

This change is much easier to do. Suppose your RC has a NiMH battery. For best results, change it for the Lipo lithium battery. This battery is much more powerful and lighter, so you will immediately notice a significant increase in speed.

Lowering The Weight Of The RC

By changing the battery, we will also be contributing to the overall weight reduction of the vehicle. Another way to lower the weight is to replace some parts with others made of lighter materials. But do not exaggerate in this point; a radical decrease in the vehicle's weight can also cause the loss of traction.

Make Sure You Have The Right Tires

Just because you have giant tires does not mean you will have the best performance. Depending on the surface where we use the vehicle, we may require a different type of tire. Using the correct type of tire is a direct measure to gain speed.

Are Nitro RC Cars Faster Than Electric?

If we talk about pure speed, high-end electric RC cars are faster than nitro cars. The fastest electric RC car reached a speed of 200 mph reached a speed of 200 mph, while the closest nitro car achieved 120 mph.

A Final Thought On The Speed Between Electric And Gasoline RC Cars

For many hobbyists, speed is not a game thing. We can find drivers whose primary goal is to be the fastest on the track. But others consider other characteristics of RCs as necessary. All this great diversity tells us that there is an inexhaustible source of fun for both electric and gasoline RC lovers.