Back in the early 2000s, RC petrol (gas) cars—the big 1/5 scale machines running on two-stroke engines—were seen as the ultimate step up from nitro. They roared, smoked, and smelled just like miniaturized race karts, and for a while they were the dream of many hobbyists. But if you look around today, petrol-powered RC cars have largely slipped out of the spotlight. Electric and nitro dominate most tracks and parks, while petrol feels more like a niche. So why did this happen?
Noise and Practicality
One of the biggest reasons is simple: noise. A petrol RC car sounds like a chainsaw on wheels, and not everyone’s neighbor appreciates that. Many tracks and clubs started imposing restrictions, and for casual backyard running, it quickly became impractical compared to the near-silent hum of brushless electrics.
On top of that, petrol cars are physically huge. They need a lot of space to run properly—way more than the average parking lot or park can comfortably provide. Unless you live near an open track or big field, it’s hard to really enjoy them.
Performance Gap with Modern Brushless
When petrol cars first arrived, their draw was long runtimes and raw power. But modern brushless setups with LiPo batteries have caught up and, in many cases, surpassed them. Today, you can get instant torque, crazy top speed, and decent runtime from an electric system, all without tuning carbs or mixing fuel. For racers and bashers alike, electrics became the “easier, faster, cleaner” option.
Maintenance Factor
Petrol cars are mechanically fascinating, but they also require a fair amount of maintenance. Spark plugs, carb tuning, fuel mixing, oiling—these are part of the charm for some hobbyists, but for many others it became a chore. By contrast, electric cars are basically charge-and-go, which makes them far more appealing for today’s RC crowd.
Market Trends and Costs
RC manufacturers also followed the demand. As interest in petrol waned, fewer companies invested in developing new platforms. That meant limited parts support in many regions, which further discouraged buyers. Meanwhile, brushless technology got cheaper and better year after year, making it hard for petrol to compete.
Where Petrol Still Lives
That’s not to say petrol cars are dead. Enthusiasts still love them for scale realism, engine sound, and endurance runs. In large-scale racing or in dedicated clubs, petrol machines remain a spectacle. But for the average hobbyist, they’ve become a specialty corner of the hobby rather than the mainstream.
Final Thoughts
RC petrol cars were once a symbol of “serious” RC, but the hobby evolved. Noise limits, space needs, and the rise of brushless power pushed them to the sidelines. Today, they’re more of a passion project for those who love the smell of premix and the rumble of a real piston engine. For everyone else, electric won the race by being faster, cleaner, and easier.