Kandi America Kruiser Element
By The Smith Family, reviewed by Brad · Independent, no paid placement · Last verified Nov 10, 2026
The Kandi Kruiser Element is Kandi America's new entry-price four-seater, starting at a $10,999 MSRP. It pairs a 5,000W AC motor with a 51.2V / 100Ah lithium pack for an estimated 28 miles of range and a 6.5-hour charge on a standard 120V outlet. Kandi (SC Autosports, dba Kandi America) is an NHTSA-registered Low-Speed Vehicle manufacturer, and the Element is offered in a 25 mph street-legal LSV trim — but note the base cart is a 20 mph golf cart, so confirm the 25 mph LSV trim and a matching street title before buying. Street-legal: yes (LSV certified). MSRP range: $10,999.
Factory-certified Low-Speed Vehicle (FMVSS 500)
Factory LSV in the 25 mph lithium trim (NHTSA-registered). Trim trap: the cheaper 20 mph base Kruiser is not a street-titled LSV — buy the 25 mph LSV version.
Verified against the NHTSA vPIC registry · 11/03/2026 · How we verify LSV status →
$268/mi of range · $2,750/seat vs. the field median $298/mi · $2,792/seat across 144 carts. Priced a notch below the field for what you get.
Your pick if
you want a proven factory-LSV in the value class without paying up for the belt.
Verified specification sheet
The facts, with receipts
LAST VERIFIED 11/10/2026
| Top speed | 25 mph†1 |
| Range (high) | 28 mi†1 |
| Battery type | lithium†1 |
| Battery capacity | 100 Ah†1 |
| System voltage | 51.2 V†1 |
| Seats | 4†1 |
| Length | 119.5 in†1 |
| Width | 53.5 in†1 |
| Height | 81 in†1 |
| Curb weight | 1,184 lb†1 |
| Motor power | 5 kW†1 |
| Brakes | Hydraulic disc front, hydraulic drum rear†1 |
| Suspension | Independent MacPherson strut front; towing-arm helical-spring rear†1 |
| Warranty | 1 yr†1 |
| Battery warranty (total term) | 3 yr†2 |
| Battery full-replacement coverage | 3 yr†2 |
| Battery warranty terms | 36 months, parts and labor†2 |
| LSV certified (street-legal capable) | Yes†3 |
| Charge time | 6.5 hr†1 |
| Ground clearance | 7 in†4 |
◆ Range reality check
Computed from the ≈5.12 kWh pack (system voltage × amp-hours) at a standard 0.125 kWh per mile — the same efficiency on every model, so ranges compare apples-to-apples. Real-world range varies with load, terrain, speed, and battery age.
◆ Value scorecard
- Cost per seat
- $2,750
- Price ÷ seats
- Per mile of range
- $268
- Price ÷ ~41 mi
- Cost per kWh
- $2,148
- Price ÷ 5.12 kWh
- Power-to-weight
- 4.2 W/lb
- motor watts ÷ weight
- Warranty
- 1 / 3 yr
- vehicle / battery
Our figures, from verified specs + the cart's sourced price — lower cost-per-seat and cost-per-mile is better; higher power-to-weight means more pep and hill-climb. Range uses the normalized estimate. Cost per kWh is what the price actually buys you in battery — the single figure that separates a cheap cart from an under-batteried one, and almost nobody publishes it. Pack energy is the maker's published kWh where they give one, otherwise volts × amp-hours.
Read from the verified specs
Where it wins, where it gives
Strengths
- Factory-certified LSV — VIN'd, titleable, and insurable with no dealer conversion.
Trade-offs
- Shorter warranty than the class leaders — 1 years.
Street-legal status
Factory street-legal (LSV) — no kit needed
Factory LSV in the 25 mph lithium trim (NHTSA-registered). Trim trap: the cheaper 20 mph base Kruiser is not a street-titled LSV — buy the 25 mph LSV version. The DOT equipment, VIN, and 25 mph rating come from the factory, so you can title and register it without any aftermarket conversion.
Frequently asked
- Is the Kandi America Kruiser Element street legal?
- Yes. The Kandi America Kruiser Element is a factory-certified Low-Speed Vehicle (LSV), confirmed against the NHTSA manufacturer registry. It carries a VIN and can be titled, registered, and insured for roads posted 35 mph or under.
- How fast does the Kandi America Kruiser Element go?
- 25 mph — the top of the federal LSV range.
- How far does the Kandi America Kruiser Element go on a charge?
- Up to 28 miles per charge, per the manufacturer. Real-world range depends on load, terrain, speed, and battery age.
- How much does the Kandi America Kruiser Element cost?
- $10,999 MSRP. Run our 5-year cost-of-ownership calculator for the true cost including charging, maintenance, and insurance.
- How many people does the Kandi America Kruiser Element seat?
- The Kandi America Kruiser Element seats 4.
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