[Al Skierkiewicz]

Elgin,
Watts is Watts therefore horsepower is horsepower. All motors have different power/torque/RPM curves as they are all designed for different duty. In the operation you are considering, gas power is easier to implement and that is why most designs use that type of engine. There is no control issues other than throttle and no recharge issues other fill the tank. The need to design for output RPM and torque still exists and that is why the transmission is in place. A five horsepower electric motor is not a little toy and the power source is not a little battery. All things considered, the gas powered approach is still the best over all design.