Rotax electric kart E10 and E20: classes, power, battery and where to race
Updated: 3 days ago
Rotax, one of the best-known engine brands in karting, has also brought the electric motor to the track. There are two lines: the Rotax E10 for children and young drivers and the Rotax E20 for older drivers' racing. In this guide you will find everything about the Rotax electric kart, explained simply: classes, power, battery, charging, tyres, safety and where to race.
In short: the Rotax electric kart comes in two versions. The Rotax E10 is a kit for children and young drivers fitted to the chassis: E10 Bambini with 5 kW (ages 6-9) and E10 Mini with 10.5 kW (ages 9-12), 1.5 kWh battery, up to 20 minutes of driving and fast charging from 10% to 80% in about half an hour. The Rotax E20 is a complete racing electric kart: 17 kW in the Junior version, 24 kW and 135 km/h in the Senior and Masters versions. From 2026 the E10 Mini is an official class at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals.
Rotax electric kart: E10 and E20 in a nutshell
An electric kart works like a normal kart, but instead of a combustion engine it has an electric motor powered by a battery. No fuel mix, no carburettor and very little noise. The driver gets all the motor's push as soon as they press the throttle.
Rotax E10: a kit, meaning motor, battery and controls to fit to a kart chassis. It is designed for getting started: children, young drivers, families and racing schools.
Rotax E20: a complete high-performance kart. At Rotax races it is supplied ready to every driver, identical for everyone, so only the driver makes the difference.
Rotax E10: the electric kart for children and young drivers
The Rotax E10 is the simplest way to get a child started: switch on, drive, recharge. There is no fuel to mix or carburettor to clean, and maintenance is reduced. Power is selected with a key called DESS: the same key also works as the emergency switch.
The heart of the kit is the motor with the inverter: the inverter is the electronics that turns the battery's current into the current the motor needs. It is air cooled, thanks to the fins you can see in the photo, and weighs 12.6 kg.
E10 Bambini: ages 6 to 9
It has 5 kW of power and runs on one battery. Two batteries can also be fitted: the power stays the same, but you can drive for longer. On track it is designed to lap about 0.7 seconds slower than a Micro MAX, the Rotax combustion engine for the youngest drivers.
E10 Mini: ages 9 to 12
It has 10.5 kW of power and runs only with two batteries. It is designed to deliver lap times similar to the Mini MAX. From 2026 it is an official class at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals, the Rotax world final.
Item | E10 Bambini | E10 Mini |
Typical age | 6 to 9 years | 9 to 12 years |
Peak power | 5 kW | 10.5 kW |
Batteries | 1 (with 2 batteries the power stays the same, the range increases) | 2 (mandatory) |
Kit weight | 27.7 kg | 40.5 kg |
Top speed | 87 km/h (gear ratio 17/80) | 110 km/h (gear ratio 17/75) |
Fast charge from 10% to 80% | about 28 minutes | about 34 minutes |
Target lap time | about 0.7 seconds slower than Micro MAX | similar to Mini MAX |
Dry tyres | Mojo C2 CIK Mini | Mojo C2 CIK Mini |
Wet tyres | Mojo CW CIK Mini | Mojo CW CIK Mini |
Rotax E10 technical data
The battery is lithium, 48 volts and 1.5 kWh, and weighs 12 kg. Inside there is a management system (BMS) that constantly monitors temperature and charge.
Component | Official Rotax data |
System voltage | 48 volts |
Maximum motor speed | 10,000 rpm |
Motor with inverter | 12.6 kg, 272 × 212 × 149 mm, 3-phase, air cooled |
Battery | 1.5 kWh, 12 kg, 388 × 165 × 160 mm, lithium with battery management system (BMS) |
Driving time | up to 20 minutes per charge |
Charging socket | 230 V 15 A or 120 V 13 A |
Charging modes | normal, fast and storage (30%) |
Water and dust protection | battery IP67, motor IP66K |
Operating temperature | 5 °C to 35 °C |
Transmission | chain drive, like a normal kart |
Boost | more power for 5 seconds, available every 45 seconds |
Chassis | 950 mm wheelbase in Rotax races; Rotax also lists it for 1050 mm chassis |
Motor and battery are fixed to the chassis with brackets bought separately from the chassis manufacturer. Installation must be done by a qualified technician: Rotax specifically requires it.
How to use the Rotax E10: switching on, Boost and reverse
Three states: off, energised and ready to drive. To switch to ready to drive you press two buttons together, reverse and Boost, for 3 seconds: this way the kart cannot move off by mistake.
Boost: pressing the blue button on the steering wheel gives the kart more power for 5 seconds. Then the Boost recharges and is available again after 45 seconds: when it flashes it is recharging, when it is lit it is ready.
Reverse: can only be selected with the kart stationary.
Automatic safety: if the kart detects a problem it reduces power by itself, and after 30 seconds without input it returns to a safe state.
Telemetry: with an AiM connector it links to the MyChron6 and shows motor rpm, temperatures, battery charge, throttle and Boost.
Charging and caring for the Rotax E10 battery
Three modes: normal charging, fast charging and storage charging, which brings the battery to 30% for storage and transport.
The right socket: fast charging needs a 230-volt socket protected by a 16 A fuse, normal charging needs 10 A. On 110 volts fast charging is not possible.
Fan: while charging, the cover with the fan goes on top of the battery to keep it cool.
Temperature: charge between 6 °C and 40 °C, in a dry place, away from the sun and from flammable materials.
Never unattended: Rotax recommends not leaving the battery charging unattended or overnight.
At home: store the battery between 30% and 50% charge, at about 25 °C, and recharge it every 3 months or when it drops below 30%.
Rotax E20: the racing electric kart
The E20 is a different thing: a complete electric kart, with a permanent magnet synchronous motor and integrated transmission, at 350 volts. It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and in the Senior and Masters versions reaches 135 km/h. Rotax developed it from the experience of its previous electric kart, the Thunder: compared with that, the E20 has about 25% more performance and weighs about 7% less.
In 2024 the E20 became the first electric kart to receive CIK-FIA approval, the international karting federation.
E20 Junior, Senior and Masters
The kart is the same for all three classes. Only the minimum weight, driver included, and the power change; the power is set with a key: green for Junior, white for Senior and Masters.
Item | E20 Junior | E20 Senior and Masters |
Power | 17 kW | 24 kW |
Top speed | 125 km/h | 135 km/h |
Race range | about 15 laps | about 11 laps |
Power key | green | white |
Target lap time | similar to Junior MAX | not stated by Rotax |
Dry tyres | Mojo D5 CIK Prime | Mojo D5 CIK Prime |
Wet tyres | Mojo W5 CIK | Mojo W5 CIK |
Rotax E20 technical data
Component | Official Rotax data |
Motor | permanent magnet synchronous motor with integrated transmission |
System voltage | 350 volts |
Kart weight | 142 kg |
Acceleration | 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds |
Maximum torque at the wheel | 190 Nm without Boost |
Cooling | combined air and liquid cooling |
Batteries | lithium with battery management (BMS) and isolation monitoring (IMD) |
Functions | electric braking with energy recovery, Boost, reverse |
Chassis | Sodikart Sodi Sigma DD2, 1040 mm wheelbase |
Brakes | hydraulic, 2 front and 1 rear, adjustable brake bias |
Charging | AC with CEE16 socket |
Certifications | DEKRA and CIK-FIA approval (first electric kart, 2024) |
A practical advantage: with the E20 you do not need an experienced mechanic. At races Rotax supplies the kart ready, and everyone has the same performance.
Rotax electric kart classes compared with combustion engines
Each electric class is designed to lap close to a Rotax combustion class. So anyone who already knows the Rotax world can find their way at once.
Electric class | Compares with | Age |
E10 Bambini | Micro MAX (about 0.7 s slower per lap) | 6-9 years |
E10 Mini | Mini MAX | 9-12 years |
E20 Junior | Junior MAX | according to the Rotax sporting regulations |
E20 Senior | Senior MAX | according to the Rotax sporting regulations |
E20 Masters | Masters with Senior MAX engine | according to the Rotax sporting regulations |
To understand the combustion classes better read Rotax MAX EVO: Classes, Power Outputs and How to Choose the Right Engine and Rotax Junior vs Senior MAX evo: Technical Differences and When to Move Up to Senior.
Where to race Rotax electric karts
Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals 2026: for the first time there is the E10 Mini class, with 36 drivers from all over the world. The place cannot be bought: you have to qualify in the competitions set by Rotax distributors. E20 Senior and E20 Masters race too.
RMC Euro Trophy E20 2026: E20 Senior and E20 Masters classes, with races at Genk, Belgium (25-28 June), and Třinec, Czech Republic (10-13 September). The winner of each class at each round wins a ticket to the Grand Finals.
National E10 championships: in 2026 a Rotax E10 championship runs in Sweden, which started at the Kanonloppet event.
The E20 races with Rotax's Arrive & Drive format: you arrive and find the kart ready. In the 2026 RMC Euro Trophy it costs €2,500 per event, Thursday to Sunday, and covers entry and VAT, the complete kart with data logging, powertrain and batteries, space under the Rotax awning with charger, seat and ballast. At the Grand Finals in Portimão (21-28 November 2026) it costs €5,500 plus local VAT, tyres covered. In both cases a national licence is required, and mechanic and crash damage are not covered.
Electric or combustion kart: pros and cons
Pros: no fuel mix, no carburettor and no oil to change; fewer wear parts and more predictable costs; silence, which helps the driver concentrate and makes it easier to run at tracks with noise limits; all the push straight away.
Cons: range is short (up to 20 minutes on the E10, about 11-15 laps in a race on the E20), so you need to recharge between sessions; the track needs a suitable power socket; the battery must be handled with care, charged and stored as Rotax specifies.
If you are choosing a first kart for your child, also read Karting for Kids: What Age to Start and How (A Guide for Parents) and Karting Classes Explained: From Mini to KZ.
How to try it or buy it
Rotax sells the E10 through its dealers and distributors, in three ways depending on the country: the powertrain kit only, the complete ready-to-race kart, or a test drive at selected tracks and schools. The E20 is driven at Rotax races with the Arrive & Drive format.
Do you want to know when and how it comes to Italy, or do you have questions about the Rotax electric kart? Write to us: TKS RaceLab is an Official Rotax Dealer. You will find all our details on the Contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Rotax E10 electric kart?
It is Rotax's electric powertrain kit for children and young drivers: motor with inverter, 1.5 kWh battery and controls, to be fitted to a kart chassis. There are two versions: E10 Bambini with 5 kW and E10 Mini with 10.5 kW.
From what age can you drive the Rotax E10?
The E10 Bambini is designed for children aged 6 to 9, the E10 Mini for young drivers aged 9 to 12. Exact ages depend on the regulations of each country.
How long does the Rotax E10 battery last and how long does it take to charge?
Rotax states up to 20 minutes of driving per charge. With fast charging it goes from 10% to 80% in about 28 minutes on the E10 Bambini and about 34 minutes on the E10 Mini.
What is the difference between the Rotax E10 and E20?
The E10 is a 48-volt kit for children and young drivers, fitted to a kart chassis. The E20 is a complete 350-volt racing electric kart, up to 24 kW and 135 km/h, supplied ready to race at Rotax events.
How fast is the Rotax E20?
In the Senior and Masters versions it has 24 kW, reaches 135 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds. The Junior version has 17 kW and reaches 125 km/h.
Where can you race the Rotax E20 and how much does it cost?
In 2026 it races in the RMC Euro Trophy and at the Rotax MAX Challenge Grand Finals with Rotax's Arrive & Drive format: €2,500 per event in the Euro Trophy and €5,500 plus local VAT at the Grand Finals in Portimão. A national licence is required.
What tyres do Rotax electric karts use?
The E10 uses Mojo C2 CIK Mini in the dry and Mojo CW CIK Mini in the wet. The E20 uses Mojo D5 CIK Prime in the dry and Mojo W5 CIK in the wet.
Where can you buy the Rotax E10?
Rotax sells it through its dealers and distributors, as a powertrain kit or as a complete ready-to-race kart. For availability and price you can contact TKS RaceLab, Official Rotax Dealer.
Source: official Rotax E10 and E20 pages on rotax-racing.com, Rotax E10 installation and operation manual, E10 battery user guide, Rotax E20 datasheet and brochure, RMC E10 and E20 2026 technical regulations and E20 2026 championship conditions. Photos: BRP-Rotax.
Questions about this topic?
Message us on WhatsApp: we answer personally, with the experience of people who live at the track. And if you want to drive a real racing kart, with Arrive & Drive you get into one of ours, ready on track. The right spare part? You will find it in the shop.
Arrive & Drive Pro by TKS RaceLab: 2026 karts with Rotax Senior MAX and DD2 engines, Alfano 7 telemetry and trackside technical support at Lonato, Franciacorta, Cremona and Ala. Message us on WhatsApp for information and availability.
TKS RaceLab | Performance Engineering Karting | tksracelab.com
Read also: Karting for kids: what age to start → · Karting classes explained → · Rotax MAX EVO: classes and power →
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Author: Sergio, TKS RaceLab | Published: 20 October 2026
TKS RaceLab is the Italian online store dedicated to karting: spare parts, accessories and everything you need to get on track. With Arrive & Drive you arrive at South Garda Karting (Lonato), Franciacorta, Cremona or Ala and find your kart ready to go. No hassle, just driving.
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