Most kids’ ride-ons run on 6V, 12V or 24V. More volts lets the maker run bigger motors harder, so a 24V ride-on is stronger on grass and hills and is built for bigger kids than a 12V one. The top speed and the run time are closer than most people expect.
So what’s the difference between 12V and 24V cars? A 12V Power Wheels goes 2.5 mph in low and 5 mph in high. Most 24V ride-ons also top out around 5 mph, but they have more power behind that speed, so they hold it on grass and slopes, and the fastest 24V cars reach about 7.5 mph.
For the same power, a 24V system draws half the current of a 12V one, so its motors, wires and switches run cooler. That’s why the big two-seat UTVs and trucks are almost all 24V.
If your child is young, they won’t need that power, and a 6V or 12V car with the same look is the better fit. Here’s how each voltage compares and how to choose.
The short answer
12V ride-ons go about 2.5 to 5 mph and suit ages 3 to 6. 24V ride-ons mostly top out around 5 mph too (the fastest about 7.5), but with more power for grass, hills and two riders, and suit ages 5 to 8.
Run time is about the same, 1 to 2 hours per charge. Never put a 24V battery in a 12V car, or a 12V battery in a 6V car.
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Two-Seat 12V and 24V Kids Car Recommendations
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6V vs 12V vs 24V vs 36V at a Glance
| Voltage | Typical ages | Top speed | Best on | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6V | 1–3 | About 2–3 mph | Flat, hard ground | 1 |
| 12V | 3–6 | 2.5–5 mph | Pavement, short dry grass | 1 or 2 |
| 24V | 5–8 | About 5 mph (up to 7.5) | Grass, gravel, gentle slopes | 1 or 2 |
| 36V | 6+ karts and UTVs, 14+ Razor bikes | 5–17 mph | Depends on the machine | 1 or 2 |
Top speeds are from Mattel’s manuals and the specs in my ride-on database. Karts, quads and dirt bikes run faster than cars at the same voltage. For the fast end, see my 36V and 48V ride-on picks.
How fast does a 6 volt go?
Most 6V ride-ons are made for toddlers, about ages 1 to 3. They go about 2 to 3 mph, and many are single-speed and forward only (Mattel’s 6V Lil’ Quad goes 2 mph). At this age, a parent remote or arm’s reach is the rule.
6V cars are made for flat, hard ground. They slow down or stall on thick grass, mud and slopes.
Because the motor should match the voltage, you cannot put a 6V battery into a 12V battery car. If you do this, it will be underpowered and the car may not move at all. The other way around isn’t safe either: a 12V battery on a 6V Power Wheels doubles the voltage on motors and wiring built for 6V.
How fast does a 12 volt go?
A 12V power wheel goes about 2.5 mph in low and 5 mph in high, which are Mattel’s figures for its 12V Power Wheels. Across the 12V cars in my ride-on database, top speeds run from about 2 to 5 mph, and the typical one tops out near 3 mph.
12V cars are made for ages 3 to about 7. They handle pavement and short, dry grass, and many have a high-speed lockout, so a parent can keep a beginner in low. Some 12V cars have two seats, like the Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler (up to 130 lbs).
How fast does a 24 volt go?
These 24V power wheels are built for kids who want to drive on grass, gravel and small hills. Most 24V cars and UTVs top out around 5 mph, and the fastest reach about 7.5 mph.
24V go-karts, quads and dirt bikes go faster, about 7.5 to 15 mph, and are rated for older kids. Most makers quote 1 to 2 hours of riding per charge.
Is 24V faster than 12V?
Usually, but not by as much as you’d think. A 12V Power Wheels tops out at 5 mph, and so do most 24V ride-on cars: in my database the typical 24V car tops out at 5 mph, against about 3 mph for a typical 12V car.
The bigger difference is power. A 24V car holds its speed on grass and hills, where a 12V car slows down.
How fast a 24V Power Wheels goes has the details. The rider’s weight and the ground matter as much as the voltage.
Voltage alone doesn’t decide the run time. What matters is how much energy the battery holds (volts times amp-hours) and how hard the car works. A 24V 7Ah pack holds a little more than a 12V 12Ah battery, but a 24V car also draws more power, so most makers quote about the same 1 to 2 hours either way. Charge it with its own charger, for the time in the manual.
How can I make my 12V faster?
If your kids have outgrown a 12V car, the safe upgrade is to 18V, not 24V. My guide on how to modify power wheels to go faster walks through it step by step. In short:
- Add a 6V battery in series with the 12V (12V + 6V = 18V), or use a drill battery adapter. That makes a 12V car roughly 50% faster, about 7 to 7.5 mph instead of 5.
- Put a fuse on the + wire, as close to the battery as possible, every time.
- Use matched batteries (same Ah, type and age) and a charger made for the new setup.
- Expect the stock motors and plastic gears to wear faster. Stronger motors and a soft-start controller help.
- An adult does the work, and the faster car is for an older, experienced driver with a helmet.
- Never do it on a 6V car.
- + terminal
- − terminal
- Wire
- Battery
Going to 24V on a 12V car is a full rebuild: 24V motors, steel-gear gearboxes, two identical 12V batteries, a 24V charger, heavier wire and a fuse at the battery. On stock parts it will run, but not for long. See putting a 24V battery in a 12V car.
The car’s weight and its tires make a difference too. Traction helps most on grass, and adding traction is the easiest change of all.
Difference between 12V and 24V cars systems
Electric toy cars need power for the motors, lights and sound. A 24V system can drive bigger motors harder, which is why 24V cars feel stronger than their 12V counterparts.
Most 24V ride-ons use two 12V batteries wired in series, or one 24V pack. A 12V car uses one 12V battery. They aren’t interchangeable, and each needs its own charger.
The terrain is the biggest practical difference. A 12V car rides well on pavement and short, dry grass.
A 24V car, especially one with four motors (4WD), handles thicker grass, gravel and gentle slopes. Neither is made for mud, sand or steep hills.
Weight limits depend on the car more than the voltage. Mattel’s 12V two-seaters are rated for 130 lbs, most 24V two-seaters for 110 to 135 lbs, and the biggest XXXL 24V UTVs for 200 lbs or more.
The run time is about the same: most cars run 1 to 2 hours per charge, depending on the rider’s weight, the ground and the speed.
In terms of age, 12V cars suit ages 3 to about 6 or 7, and 24V cars ages 5 to 8 (many 24V cars are rated from 3 because they have a parent remote).
Before you buy one of these power wheels, check the child’s age and weight against the maker’s limits.
More speed brings more risk: falls, tipping and hitting things. That’s where a parent remote or a high-speed lockout comes in.
Whichever you choose, keep kids off streets and driveways and away from pools and steps, and stay close. Safety is key.
For the same power, a 12V motor needs twice the current of a 24V motor: 20 amps at 12V does the work of 10 amps at 24V. That’s also why you can’t just put 24V on 12V motors. They spin about twice as fast, make about four times the heat, and burn out.
How can I know whether the power wheel is 12V or 24V?
The easiest way is to look at the battery and the charger: both are labeled with the voltage, and so is the manual. A 24V car usually has two 12V batteries connected together, or one battery marked 24V. The operating voltage will also be indicated on the breakers. But the best way is to put a meter on the battery. Found two 12V batteries in the battery bay? Here’s how to tell if two 12V batteries make a real 24V ride-on.
You can also use a multimeter on DC volts, with the battery fully charged and rested for a few hours. A full 12V battery reads about 12.6 to 12.9V and a 24V pack about double that. A full 6V battery reads about 6.3V.
Don’t mix them up. If you put 24V in a 12V car, the motors and gears get about four times the power they were built for and won’t last.
A 12V battery in a 24V car runs slowly, if at all. So before replacing the battery on the power wheels, match the voltage and the plug.
12V or 24V power wheel, which one is right for your kid?
An electric car gives a kid a real sense of freedom in the backyard. A 24V car is the one for grass, bumps and bigger kids, but a few things decide it.
Start with age and size. Under 3: a 6V car with a parent remote. About 3 to 5: 12V. About 5 to 8, or two kids who want to ride together: a 24V two-seater.
Next, the number of riders. Many 24V ride-ons are two-seaters, and so are some 12V cars. Add up both kids’ weights and stay under the limit.
If your child is heavier or older than the usual limits, we found power wheels with higher weight limits and speed. Going over a car’s limit strains the motors and gears, trips the fuse and cuts the run time.
How about the charge and running times? They’re about the same: most 12V and 24V cars run 1 to 2 hours per charge. For longer days, a spare battery charged on the car’s own charger is the easy fix.
12V vs 24V FAQ
Can I put a 24V battery in a 12V Power Wheels?
It will run, but not for long on stock parts. Doubling the voltage roughly doubles the motor speed and quadruples the heat in motors and gears built for 12V. A safe 24V conversion is a full rebuild. The safe upgrade for a 12V car is 18V, with a fuse (mod guide).
Is there a 24V Power Wheels?
Mattel’s current Power Wheels are 6V and 12V. The 24V ride-ons you’ll see are from other brands, like the ones in my 24V guide.
Is a 24V ride-on too fast for a 3-year-old?
Many 24V cars are rated from age 3 because they have a parent remote and a low speed of about 2 mph. Use the remote and the low speed until your child can steer and stop on their own.
Does a 24V ride-on run longer than a 12V one?
Not by much. A 24V battery holds a bit more energy, but a 24V car also uses more, so most makers quote 1 to 2 hours per charge for both.
Conclusion
Whether you choose a 6V, 12V or 24V power wheel, match it to your child’s age, size and where they’ll ride. For a more experienced rider on grass and hills, go up to 24V.
A 3-year-old doesn’t need 5 mph, and a 7-year-old on a 6V car will be bored in a week. A 24V car is also bigger and heavier, so check your storage space.
Ride-ons are for fun, so keep them safe. Here is more information to choose the right ride-on for the proper age.
Kevinsmak
Power Wheels dad. Writing RC Ride On Cars since the start.
Hello! I'm Kevinsmak; I have been a content producer of RC Ride On Cars since the start of this site. I have always enjoyed Power Wheels with my family. My two boys love them, and seeing this helps me make sure this website is very accurate for the safety and enjoyment of your family.
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