Electrically powered items including cars are becoming increasingly common for many households. From cordless lawn mowers through to rechargeable vacuum cleaners, consumers are seeing the benefit of items that have this power source.

The great news is that Quad bikes are no different as there is a proven alternative to petrol powered models. Fully rechargeable and battery powered, they are increasingly gaining popularity as consumers see the value of the technology.

This guide talks about the differences between petrol and electric quad bikes, explaining the positives and negatives, explaining where they are suited and where one is a better choice than the other.

What is the essential difference between a petrol and an electric quad bike?

An Electric Quad Bike is powered by rechargeable batteries, and these are usually either lead acid or lithium (Li-Ion). The key difference between a lithium-ion and a lead acid battery is in their components and performance.

A lithium-ion battery uses lithium salt in an organic solvent as the electrolyte, it charges faster and has a longer life. Li-Ion batteries are mainly known for their high energy density, longer battery life and lower self-discharge speed.

A lead acid battery uses a mixture of sodium metasilicate and sulfuric acid solution as the electrolyte, taking longer to charge. Lead acid batteries are capable to produce high surge currents, making them better to use in applications where sudden high power is required, for example, to start the engine of a vehicle.

In both cases they are designed to offer a quieter and more environmentally friendly ride. Their componentry is also a great deal more straightforward with a motor to drive the quad along.

A petrol quad bike runs on unleaded petrol usually in the same way as a car does. They have an internal combustion engine (ICE) and more complex components that require extra cleaning and care.

What are the positives and negatives of Electric Quad Bikes?

Positive Points

• Environmentally Friendly: Electric quads emit no harmful gases in, making them great for the environment and safe for indoor and outdoor use.
• Economical: an electric quad can be up to ten times cheaper than a petrol equivalent to run.
• Virtually Silent: They generate very little noise, if any at all. This makes them perfect for use around livestock, at events and in residential areas as the reduced noise pollution makes them an attractive choice.
• Practical Maintenance: As they do not have the complications of an internal combustion engine, electric quads generally require less maintenance.
• Safety: Most electric quads, particularly ones for children, are supplied with lockable adjustable speed settings, giving parents control over their child’s safety.
• Powerful: The combination of 4WD, brushless motors and lithium batteries allow electric engines to deliver power instantly, giving a smooth and responsive ride.

Negative Points

• Distance Limitations: Once the battery is depleted, a wait for it to be recharged is inevitable. This may cause delays and will require forward planning.
• Power Reduction: While electric quads are improving, they might not offer the same power as petrol versions, especially on challenging terrains.
• Battery Replacement: Over time there will be the added expense as batteries will invariably need replacing. This needs factoring into the cost of ownership.

What are the positives and negatives of Petrol Quad Bikes?

Positive Points

• Maintenance Matters: Petrol engines are very well-established piece of engineering. If you want to stick to what you know and are happy with the ongoing maintenance requirements, then petrol will be the right choice
• Longer Ride Time: As long as there’s fuel, you can keep using a petrol quad. Refuelling is quick, ensuring minimal downtime.
• Familiarity Factors: Some people just like the sound, feel and smell of a petrol engine. An electric engine is very different experience, and the familiarity of a petrol engine gives comfort. 

Negative Points

• The Environmental Impact: Its undeniable that petrol quads emit exhaust fumes, which are not environmentally friendly.
• Noise Pollution: Petrol quads are considerably louder than electric quads, which can be an issue, particularly around horses, livestock and in populated areas.
• Care & Maintenance: By their design, petrol engines require regular maintenance. This includes oil changes, replacement of filters and cleaning.
• General Safety: As it is a flammable material, there is always an inherent risk of storing, managing, transporting, and pouring petrol.

How To Choose The Right Quad

When determining the best quad, the following should be considered:

What are you going to do with it?

If you or your child are just in the early stages of using a quad and you want something for distances up to 30 miles, an electric quad may be suitable. For longer distances, really tough terrains or all-day activities, a petrol quad may be more suitable.

What is the rider’s age and experience?

Younger children or beginners might benefit from the controlled speed and ease of an electric quad. For older kids or those with some riding experience, the power of a petrol quad might be more exciting.

Attitude To Maintenance

For the unexperienced in the practice of the regular maintenance of a petrol engine, an electric quad’s simplicity has a strong appeal.

Environmental Concerns: If reducing your carbon footprint is a priority, an electric quad is the obvious choice.

Budget: While the initial investment might be comparable, long-term costs need to be considered. Electric quads could require battery replacements, while petrol quads will have fuel costs and potentially higher maintenance expenses.

Conclusion

It’s clear that both electric and petrol quad bikes offer particular experiences for users of all ages. The choice of which to buy revolves around budget, attitude to maintenance, budget and ultimately, personal preferences.

Whichever one you choose, safety is paramount so the investment in good quality helmet, gloves, goggles, boots and a suit are always advised. Above all, enjoy your quad bike adventures!