Wroom! The Best Kids Electric Cars In 2022

Why Trust Us

To give you and your little ones the very best kids' electric cars the market has to offer, we spent three days on research for this guide. We also chatted with parents-members of our team about their kids' preferences when it comes to electric toy cars. One of our testers has also had his boys use their electric car for over a year so we have a pretty clear picture of how battery-powered vehicles perform long-term.

Who This Is For

This guide is for anyone looking to get their kids interested in cars and trucks! Whether you’re shopping for a boy or girl, a child that’s already interested in a particular style or model, or one who knows nothing about kids battery-powered vehicles, we have a great ride-on for you.

How We Picked

Our main criteria for choosing the electric vehicles for this guide were safety, comfort and fun because electric toy cars shouldn’t just keep your little one busy and entertained, but safe and comfy while he or she explors the outdoors as well. We tried to include as many different vehicles as possible too (race cars, tractors, police cars and more) so that every car and truck-obsessed kid could have their fun.

How We Tested

Aside from reading hundreds of customer reviews, we’ve also tested some of the electric cars in this guide. One of our testers' boys have used the Peg Perego John Deere Gator for over a year so he can testify to its durability and performance. Here's what he had to say about this little but mighty tractor: "My sons have used it every day for a year and it has taken a major beating and it still is working well. It lets the kids learn how to drive and the parents get a break from carrying the kids!" 

Features To Look For In Kids Electric Cars

Battery – We know how upsetting it can be to spend all day charging a toy only for it to work for 10 minutes. That’s the kind of stress you can do without. Battery life is important. While all of the vehicles we reviewed take a long time to charge, most provide a couple of hours or at least an hour of run time for the kids to enjoy. If you are looking for the best battery life, stick to 12V cars. Almost all vehicles in this guide use a rechargeable 12V battery except one - Costzon's  Mercedes Benz ML350, which is also the most affordable model on the list.

Age range – You don’t have to take the age range as gospel, but it’s a good indication. Of course, all children grow at different rates, and you will know better than anyone if a product is suitable for your child. Most of the products have dimensions of the interior which you can use to know for ceratin if your little one will fit in the car.

Safety – Safety is everything when you are buying something for your children. You want to know that there are no sharp edges, no exposed electronics, and no other potential dangers. When it comes to buying a kid’s motorized car, there are additional safety concerns. For example, you don’t want your children to be able to go too fast and hurt themselves. That’s why all the cars on this list are limited to 6 mph or below. Also, some of these products are remote control ride-on cars, which gives you the added safety measure of being able to take over the controls whenever necessary.

Safety belts – With top speeds of 5 or 6 mph, there is actually no need for safety belts on your kid’s electric ride-on toy. The reason most manufacturers include them is to teach children about road safety. After all, this is your kid’s first chance to be a responsible person by buckling in and ensuring their own safety. It gives an element of education to the battery-operated ride-on toys that is important for child development. Still, it's not a must-have, it's just a nice addition.

Remote control – Some of the best battery-powered ride-on toys come with remote control for parents to use. This means that when your kids have ventured a little too far down the road, you can take over and bring them back. The other function is to actually drive with your children around and make the experience a bonding session. Or, if those reasons don’t do it for you, you could keep the remote control a secret and mess with them by putting the car in reverse (don't ask us how we know this).

Design – You don’t want to end up with an ugly-looking product that becomes an eyesore as soon as your kids have stopped playing with it. The manufacturers featured in this article have carefully designed their products to look and feel as close to full-sized cars and trucks as possible. Some cars are remarkably close to the real thing, which will really stimulate your kid’s imagination.

Additional features – Some of these ride-on cars for toddlers have better specs than some cars on the road! You can get a ride-on car loaded up with MP3 players, FM radios, aux inputs, microphones, sound effects, working doors, working headlights, neon kits, and more. Wait 'till you see your kid’s face when they can put some tunes on and drive around the garden with their friends, or even make announcements as they drive past.

Quality - Battery-powered ride-on toys can be pretty expensive so you should do your best to ensure you're getting your money's worth. All of the battery-operated cars on this list are made by trusted manufacturers. They use high-quality materials and electronic components to ensure that your kid’s electric ride-on isn’t going to break down or fall apart as soon as they start it. These products have gone through rigorous testing to make sure they stand the test of time.

Benefits Of Electric Cars For Kids

It might seem like a ride-on electric car is just for fun, but there are actually quite a few benefits:

Helps kids develop coordination – It seems obvious, but your kid will pick up a lot of driving skills from having their first go behind the wheel. These toys aren’t fast enough to cause any danger but will still teach children the coordination and spatial awareness that is needed for driving. It will give them a head start when they are old enough to get a real car.

Helps kids build self confidence – Being behind the wheel of a vehicle takes confidence, even when that wheel is behind an electric toy car. Your kiddo might be a little scared at first, but they’ll soon get used to the controls and build up their confidence. Before you know it, they’ll be racing around without a care in the world.

Supports exploration and adventure – With children having more and more indoor and screen time available, it can feel difficult to instill a sense of adventure. Ride-on cars are an excellent way of encouraging them to explore their surroundings.

Promotes independent and group play – Everyone who’s read a parenting book knows how important play is in child development. Your kid won’t be able to wait until they can get out and play with their electric car, whether they’re riding solo or with their friends.

Q: What is a kid’s electric car?

A: An electric car for children is a small motorized vehicle made to look like a real car. They are often designed to look like models of real vehicles to provide children with the feeling of driving around like an adult. They first came around in the late 1980s and have since become hugely popular, selling in the millions. Modern electric ride-on cars are packed full of features to make the driving experience fun and realistic.. They are normally powered with a 12V or 6V battery.

Q: Are kids electric cars safe?

A: Electric toy cars are limited to speeds of 6mph or slower and don’t have any awkward parts or jagged edges for children to hurt themselves on, so yes, they're perfectly safe. As with all toys, they have to pass certain safety requirements to be sold in the USA or UK. However, children should still be properly supervised by an adult at all times and kept away from open water or roads.

Q: How long do the batteries last?

A: This depends on the size of the battery and the manufacturer. You can expect 6V batteries to last for around 45 – 60 minutes of continuous use, while 12V batteries can last up to 4 hours. Check the specifications of the car before buying.

Q: What’s the difference between 12V and 6V?

A: The higher the number of volts, the more powerful the car will be. Cars with 6V batteries are less powerful and tend to have shorter run times while 12V cars are more powerful and tend to last longer. It is important that you use the correct battery with the motor of your car – for example, a 12V battery won’t work in a 6V car.

Q: How to care for kids electric cars?

A: When you first get your ride-on car for kids, make sure to charge the battery until it is fully charged. Otherwise, you could end up damaging the battery, causing its life to shorten or simply not work at all. Also, you should try to avoid letting the battery run out completely, for the same reasons. Aside from the battery, you should keep the car stored inside or under a cover. It's also a good idea to wipe down the vehicle from time to time, especially if your kids eat or drink inside it.

Q: On what surfaces can my child ride?

A: This depends on the specific vehicle you choose. Some kids’ electric ride-on cars are built specifically for rougher terrains whereas others are much better on flat and smooth surfaces like pavement. Most cars can be driven over any flat surface, as long as it is not too wet or loose. They don’t have enough power to do any serious off-roading, so try and keep it to the garden or pavement.