Should You Buy a Gas Powered or Electric Golf Cart?

When you’re deciding between a gas powered and an electric golf cart, your reason for buying it should be your guide. Is it going to be used for golf? Are you buying it to zip around your neighborhood? Do you need it as a cargo workhorse all day long? Range, power, speed, function, desired accessories – they all play a part in the decision-making process. Purchase price, operating costs, maintenance, and even noise can be contributing factors. Investing in a golf cart is not cheap, so it’s best to know the answers to as many questions as possible to make the best decision for you.

Environmental Impact

Carbon-emitting gas golf carts pollute, so federal, state, and local governments have intervened with ever-growing restrictions. They take regular unleaded gas and get about 30 mpg. Electric carts have zero-emissions because they use rechargeable batteries to power them. Solar powered golf carts are the latest option.

Range

An electric cart with a modern 48v battery will go two 18-hole rounds on the course just as easily and efficiently as a gas powered cart. However, if you’re planning to use your golf cart for other purposes, like a work environment or recreational area far from electricity, a gas powered engine is the obvious choice at 30 mpg. You can go all day long without interruption, especially with the ease of hauling around a spare gas can.

Power

Gas powered golf carts have horsepower ratings of 10 to 12 HP, whereas electric carts’ horsepower is closer to 3 to 5 HP. They’ll function equally well on the course and for light duty, but if you need to use it for more demanding conditions like steep inclines or off-road situations, gas powered golf carts will better meet your needs. Of course, adding a lift kit and knobby tires to the electric golf cart, along with a Madjax Torque 4 Wheel Drive Conversion System, will rocket it past the gas powered cart in power.

Speed

Both gas powered and electric golf carts will reach about 15 mph if they aren’t modified. Street golf carts, or NEVs(neighborhood electric vehicles) will reach about 25 mph. Electric carts have programmable regen (charging) speeds, ramp-up (pedal to the metal) speeds, and top speeds. The differences between the two in terms of speed are imperceptible. NEVs can be programmed to golf mode with a top speed of 15 mph, or street mode with a top speed of 25 mph.

Desired Accessories

If you want to trick out your golf cart with after-market accessories like stereos, heaters, light kits, and fans, keep in mind that they all draw from the same rechargeable battery that powers the cart itself with an electric cart. Although electric carts feature a starter/generator that charges the battery when you press on the power pedal, it’s going to mean a shorter driving range between charges. With a gas powered cart, accessories have no negative impact on range, power, or performance.

Noise

Gas powered golf carts are definitely on the noisy side, like any gas powered small engine. Because electric carts run on rechargeable batteries, they are whisper quiet. So, if noise is an issue for you, the choice is clear; buy electric.

Maintenance

It’s virtually the same cost to maintain a gas powered and an electric golf cart. With an electric cart you’ll want to keep battery water levels topped off, so you should check them monthly. That and responsibly charging them should make them last five to six years, or longer. That’s basically five to six years of no maintenance costs. When the batteries do need to be replaced, the cost will be upwards of $600 to $800. The Club Car and Yamaha are top-of-the-line gas golf carts.

On the other hand, gas powered carts need the regular maintenance of any gas engine. You’ll need to periodically get the oil changed, replace the spark plugs, replace the air and fuel filters, and get a routine tune-up. Basically, you’ll be nickeled and dimed all during those same five to six years, but there won’t be a single big $600 maintenance expense to hit you all at once like with new batteries for an electric cart. Club Car and E-Z GO are the best electric carts.

Purchase and Resell

Gas carts cost a few hundred dollars more for the initial purchase than electric carts; this goes for new or used up to fifteen years old. But electric carts hold their resale value longer than gas powered carts. Electric carts are less prone to have problems as they age.

It’s entirely up to you which you go with – gas or electric – but you now have a starting point to begin your research. Remember that starting with a basic model of either type will allow you to make modifications to your golf cart that will increase its speed and power.