By Hannah Hill
May 19, 2022
(Updated: March 24th, 2024)
Unlike push along toys, all electric kids’ ride-on cars rely on a power source to run the motors and other electronics in the vehicle, such as MP3 players and onboard sounds. There’s nothing worse than seeing your kids face when you get the car out to ride and find that the battery isn’t working or runs down very quickly. In this guide we’ll talk about some basics of battery maintenance and how to care for it properly to help you get the most life out of your investment as well as ways to upgrade the performance of your toy.
Part One
The time it takes to charge a ride-on car battery depends on its voltage. 6v, 12v, and 24-volt vehicles typically take 10 hours for their first full charge. After that, subsequent charges for 6v toys take around 8 hours and 12v and 24v cars take 10 hours.
The table below provides an estimate of the charging time for a typical battery, making it easier for parents to plan their little one’s driving adventures.
VoltageInitial ChargeRegular Charges 6v10 hours8 hours12v10 Hours10 hours24v10 Hours10 hours
Typically, a 6v battery would require about 10 hours to charge fully using a 6v charger that has an output current of 500mA. However the time required can vary depending on the battery’s capacity, the level of discharge, and the output current of the charger.
It typically takes around 10 hours to fully charge a 12v ride on car battery using a standard charger, while fast chargers may require less time. To avoid damage to the battery and reduce its lifespan, it is important to always use an appropriate charger for your toy.
Generally speaking, it takes 10 hours to fully charge an empty 24v ride-on car battery, although it is worth noting that some larger models that include high specification features, such as an MP4 system, may require slightly longer.
Part Two
A fully charged Power Wheels battery can last anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, but this will vary depending on the voltage and age of the battery.
The table below outlines general battery life based on voltage.
VoltageBattery Life6v45 Minutes – 1 Hour12v1 Hour24v1 – 2 HoursOn a flat, dry surface, a typical 6-volt ride-on kids car can last for approximately 45 minutes to an hour before requiring a recharge. This lifespan may decrease if your little one is driving over more challenging terrains.
The average lifespan of a 12v ride on car battery is about an hour of continuous use. The primary factor that determines its lifespan is the capacity of the battery, with higher-capacity batteries providing longer life than their lower-capacity counterparts. In addition to capacity, the rider’s weight, the terrain, and the toy’s speed can all impact battery life. To prolong the battery’s lifespan, it’s a good idea to take intermittent breaks and recharge it periodically.
Generally speaking, a 24v ride-on car battery will last between one to two hours of continuous use. The weight of the rider and the terrain will also affect the battery’s lifespan, with heavier riders or rougher terrain causing the battery to drain faster. Additionally, driving at higher speeds will consume more energy and drain the battery faster.
Part Three
There are several things to be aware of when charging a Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery:
Because of the degradation that happens when a battery is left in a discharged state it is critical that the vehicle be recharged after each use. The factory charger that came with the vehicle can be used to recharge the battery safely. Typically these should be connected overnight (12 hours) but never more than 24 hours. The factory chargers have low current output, usually less than 2 amps, and this duration ensures a full charge while reducing the risk of overcharging.
Part Four
Purchasing a ‘smart’ charger for your ride on car can help recharge your battery more quickly while also reducing the risk of overcharge. A smart charger will track the status of the battery during charge and automatically reduce the charging voltage once the battery is near full charge. Such chargers can be left attached to the battery indefinitely without causing them to overcharge and be damaged.
Look for smart chargers with a higher charge rate than the stock chargers, listed in amps. A 4 or 6 amp charger will charge most batteries to 90% in a few hours so your child can have multiple sessions of driving excitement each day.
However it’s worth keeping in mind that using a smart charger requires fairly simple access to the battery terminals. Some ride-on cars have proprietary battery connectors or may store the batteries in a hard-to-access location. For these types of cars using a smart charger may require additional wiring.
Part Five
It is possible to overcharge a ride on car battery. Overcharging can occur when the battery is left connected to the charger for an extended period beyond when it is fully charged.
This can cause damage to the battery and reduce its overall lifespan. It is essential to monitor the charging process and disconnect the battery from the charger once it is fully charged to avoid overcharging. Here are a few tips to help you charge your child’s ride-on electric vehicle safely:
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.Part Six
If you don’t charge a Power Wheels battery for an extended period, it will discharge and could suffer permanent damage to its cells, resulting in reduced capacity and a shorter lifespan. Moreover, it might develop sulfation, which is when sulfate crystals accumulate on the battery plates, limiting its charge-holding capacity and decreasing performance and lifespan.
Therefore, it’s advisable to charge your Power Wheels battery every 3-4 months, especially when the toy has not been driven for a long time. If you need to store it for an extended period, make sure it’s fully charged and kept in a cool, dry place to maximise its lifespan.
Part Seven
To determine if your kids ride on car battery is charging, look for a light or LED indicator on the charger; this typically turns red when the battery is charging and green when it’s fully charged. The charger may also be warm to touch when charging.
Let the battery charge for the recommended time stated in the instructions, then recheck the indicator. If the LED indicator is green, this means your Power Wheels battery is charged, and you can disconnect it from the charger. If it’s still red, keep charging until it turns green.
Part Eight
Using the charger supplied with your children’s ride-on car is important. Using a different charger can damage the battery’s ability to hold a charge.
If you need to purchase a replacement battery, It’s important to make sure that the charger is designed for the appropriate voltage and amperage of your toy, as using the wrong charger can damage the car’s battery or electrical system.
Part Nine
Most kids ride-on cars are powered by a Sealed Lead Acid (SLA) battery. All batteries utilise a chemical reaction to create electricity, and this battery is used because it is reliable, cheap, and safe. It uses the same chemistry as most automotive batteries have for over a century, which utilises sulphuric acid as the electrolyte and lead plates as the positive and negative electrode. The sealed variant is used in ride-on cars so there is no risk of acid leaks, and this also allows the batteries to be mounted sideways.
Part Ten
You will need a voltmeter to test a Power Wheels battery. Connect the positive connector of the voltmeter to the positive battery terminal, and negative to negative. For a 12v battery, the voltmeter should display a voltage of around 12.7 volts, which means the battery is holding a full charge. If the voltmeter displays a voltage much lower than this, it could indicate that the battery is not holding a full charge.
Entrepreneur, and mother of three. Hannah is a toy expert with 20+ years in the online toy industry, founding the Kidaroos website that sells 10,000+ toys per year. Hannah is always looking for new, innovative ways to keep everyone's kids active and energised in a world full of screens and social media and has been featured in publications such as Authority Magazine.
Kids love ride on cars, and they’re a great toy for them to play with while growing up. Nothing is worse than run-down batteries and upset children.
Knowing how long it can take to charge 6v, 12v or 24v kid’s electric cars correctly saves tantrums and keeps a smile on everybody’s face.
Our Electric Ride On Cars guide covers everything you need to know about how to charge an electric toy car.
One of the most common questions parents ask is how long it takes to charge electric cars for children. Whether you’re new to toy electric cars or have had one for a while, you may still be wondering what the answer is.
The time it takes to charge fully will depend on which volt battery the toy car has. Each battery capacity is different and will affect how much power usage you get from electric cars. If you’re still unsure, check the vehicle’s instructions for more details.
It will take up to 8 hours for your new 6v to be fully charged during the initial charge. Once you’ve run the battery down, it will take around approximately 6 hours to charge fully. The battery capacity is lower at 6 volts meaning it will charge quicker than others.
With a medium-volt capacity, a 12-volt battery needs to charge for around 8 hours for its first charge. After this, you can expect it to take around 6 hours to reach total capacity.
As the largest of the three batteries, you’ll need to charge electric cars with a 24v for an average of 6 hours. It takes 8 hours to charge when new.
Don’t plug in a 24v charger to a 12v battery. Doing this is dangerous and could cause permanent damage. Chargers for ride on toys have limits on the current and voltage within the charger. Plugging in a 24v charger to a 12v battery will damage them rather than recharge.
Your power wheels should come with a suitable charger for the different voltages. Those seen most often are trickle and smart chargers. If you ever need to invest in a replacement, check the manufacturer guidance to make sure you buy the most appropriate option.
Yes, you can. It’s essential to avoid overcharging as this lowers the battery life and running time. By using the correct regular charge time for your battery, you can ensure the run time of the vehicle.
You should also avoid removing the battery to charge it. Check ride on toy electric cars regularly to make sure all parts are working. Make sure this includes checking the plug, components and power cord before charging.
If you need a replacement battery, make sure you choose the right one for your ride on car. If you pick one with too much power, you could damage the vehicle and create a health and safety risk for your little one.
It’s best not to leave your car battery charger on overnight so remember to disconnect it. Charging a battery for more than 24 hours will not only reduce efficiency but cause damage or result in complete failure. Always check the manufacturer’s guidelines on how to charge and maintain the battery life.
In most cases, the playtime you get from electric cars depends on the battery voltage, usage time, and average speed driven. If your little one uses the car for a long time at a higher speed, there will be a higher power usage, which will run down the battery. Driving electric cars over trickier terrains like grass or up slopes will use up more power as well.
It also depends on whether you have a 6v, 12v and 24v battery. High voltage batteries will typically last longer in electric cars. With continuous use, 6-volt batteries will last for up to an hour. 12-volt and 24-volt batteries have more voltage and usually run for between one and two hours.
In 24v electric cars using two 12v batteries, your little one will have more ride time. The 24v motor can use power from both batteries, leading to longer battery life.
Improving the life of electric car batteries is relatively easy to do if you know the basic steps. Taking the time to protect the car battery may stop you from buying a new battery to replace it.
Trying to keep a toy car battery cooler reduces the chance of corrosion internally. Doing your best to keep the battery at a cooler temperature improves lifespan in the long run.
Driving at a more average speed reduces battery drain in electric cars. Encourage your little one to stick at a speed of between 2 and 3 mph.
Even though an initial charge will take a longer time, subsequent charges won’t take as long. Only ever charge when you need to, and don’t disconnect the battery before it’s fully charged. It might be worth investing in a spare battery in case anything happens.
Electric cars are a fantastic toy for kids. But you might want to improve the battery life to increase power usage. With the proper knowledge, you can modify and upgrade electric cars to add more power and boost the battery.
Taking the time to maintain a ride on toy car may also improve battery capacity. Driving at lower speeds and regularly checking batteries, the plug, charger and other parts prevents any problems from developing. Sometimes the best thing to do is to buy a spare battery.
Contact Electric Ride On Cars to discover our range of kids electric cars , how fast are 6v, 12v and 24v kids electric cars and further guides including two-seater ride on cars, ride on toy trucks and ride on toy tractors.