The Honda eGX Racing Kart is just a concept, but it is so appealing because it is driven by two 1.3-kWh batteries that can be switched out in less than 30 seconds and give up to 45 minutes of continuous driving. The 230-pound weight of the batteries makes the eGX kart a little heavier than similar gas karts, but the single electric motor still gives it enough speed. Since the batteries only need to be changed after being charged for about five hours, the fun doesn’t have to stop when the charge runs out. Most people can’t afford to race. Even racing, which is the least expensive way to exercise, is costly. But Honda’s latest try, the eGX Racing Kart, shows a new way to do things that could make karting much cheaper by eliminating expensive parts that don’t last and making it easier to keep up even though the eGX Racing Kart is still just a concept, its batteries that can be taken out point to a bright future for amateur racing. Honda’s Mobile Power Pack (MPP) batteries are used in the eGX kart. These batteries are made to be easy to switch out. The MPPs are about the size of a two-slice toaster and weigh 22.7 pounds. They are 11.7 by 6.2 by 7.0 inches. Because the handles are tightly built into the battery, moving is elementary. The MPP is used in Japan, where people with electric mopeds can quickly swap out a worn-out battery for a new one instead of waiting for their bike to charge. Each battery with about 50 volts has a capacity of 1.3 kWh and takes five hours to charge. Instead of batteries linked in parallel, the eGX uses two MPP units set up to work in series. This makes for a more efficient system that wastes less energy. Honda says that the two batteries will work together to let you drive for 35 to 45 minutes straight. Switching in new packs takes less than 30 seconds, so you can keep going along the track while the batteries charge. Pull up on the handle to open the locking mechanism, lift the lid of the plastic case, and slide the battery out. The MPPs can only go into the container in one direction, and when the battery is appropriately put in, the locking mechanism makes a clicking sound. This makes the whole process failsafe. During a recent event at Detroit’s M1 Concourse, we got to try out the eGX Racing Kart. The design of the kart itself is standard. It uses a Parolin chassis with just a few small changes to add mountings. Without the driver, the eGX is 77.9 inches long, 53.1 inches wide, and 23.2 inches tall. It weighs 230 pounds, much more than a switch kart that runs on gas. The length of the wheelbase is 41.3 inches. Honda wouldn’t say how much power came from the single motor behind the driver’s seat, but the kart went quickly. Even though the fake track we used to test them didn’t have enough long straights, the eGX can go as fast as 45 mph. On the other hand, the electric motor’s instantaneous torque makes the eGX feel very eager and fast, and the power rush lasts as long as you hold the throttle down. The eGX feels like other karts in that it has excellent grip, weighty steering, and careful stopping, thanks to a single 7.6-inch rear brake rotor that can turn the kart around corners without losing too much speed. The eGX is famous because it is easy to use. The internal combustion engine and all the chemicals that go with it are taken out, making the go-kart almost maintenance-free. Tires and batteries are the only parts of the eGX that need to be changed after a 45-minute ride. You’ll need to buy more batteries to get the most out of the replaceable system. Even though it would be a one-time cost, someone who believes a go-kart may find it adds up. Honda hasn’t said anything about how much the packs cost. The people who own kart racetracks could save a lot of money because of economies of scale. Since many places already have electric go-karts that need to be stopped while charging, a more significant fleet is required to ensure customers can always rent go-karts. On the other hand, Honda’s plan would let those karts stay on the track while the batteries were charged on the side. This would make customers happier. The racetrack could run with smaller groups since the karts wouldn’t have to be taken out of the race to be set. When paired with low maintenance, the technology could help rental kart companies do much more with the same amount of work. Honda still needs to make the eGX available to buy, but we’ve heard that the company is considering putting the kart into production. We hope Honda can figure out how to make the eGX profitable, and we think the eGX’s battery switch will inspire a new crop of racing drivers. The famous line from the movie Field of Dreams comes, “If you build it, they will come.”
