Electric vs. Gas Golf Carts: Which One is Right for You?

What Is a Gas-Powered Golf Cart?

Gas golf carts rely on an internal combustion engine. The engine burns a mixture of air and fuel to power the cart, just like most cars you see on the road.

However, unlike most cars you see on the road, a golf cart has a much smaller engine. It usually has a single or two cylinders. The cylinder contains a piston that moves up and down as the fuel-air mixture is burned.

The piston is connected to a mechanical crankshaft, which converts the up-and-down motion into rotary motion. When this rotational motion is associated with the wheels, the golf cart begins to move.

It is a simple mechanical design that has stood the test of time.

What Is an Electric Golf Cart?

An electric golf cart is powered by an electric motor. The electric motor is powered by six batteries and generates an electromagnetic field through an electric current to drive the cart.

It consists of three main components: a rotor (rotating), a stator (stationary), and a commutator. As current flows through the stator and rotor, they produce their own magnetic fields. The commutator constantly changes the polarity of the rotor, so the rotor is always repelled by the stator.

Imagine trying to stick the north poles of two different magnets together: there is a distinct force preventing you from doing so. It is this force that keeps the rotor moving.

This is an oversimplification, but it essentially explains how an electric motor works. Electric motors are compact and have fewer moving parts.

Purchase cost

Comparing the purchase cost of an electric golf cart to a gasoline golf cart, the price of 12,000 golf carts at 127 dealerships gives us the answer.

Most golf cart manufacturers and brands sell only electric golf carts.

But the top three golf cart manufacturers, Yamaha, EZGO and Club Car, sell both gas and electric golf carts.

Electric golf carts are usually cheaper than gas golf carts; even used gas golf carts are more expensive than new electric golf carts. Electric golf carts are cheaper in every way – including selling price and maintenance costs.

Electric golf carts with lead-acid batteries purchased from Chinese manufacturers are the cheapest golf carts on the market.

However, electric golf carts with lithium batteries are more expensive than gasoline golf carts.

Overall, electric golf carts are generally cheaper than gas golf carts; electric golf carts are cheaper in every way – including selling price and maintenance costs. When purchasing, check to see what the warranty covers. This will help avoid costs if something goes wrong later on. You may also want to consider any customizations you may want to make; these will cost extra, but will enhance your golf cart experience.

Maintenance and operational cost

Maintenance costs for gas golf carts come primarily from replacing moving parts from time to time over the life of the cart. The main parts that need to be replaced include drive belts, spark plugs and filters.

As for the operating cost of a gas golf cart, you will obviously have to pay for gasoline. This is almost always higher than the equivalent electricity usage.

Electric golf cart engines have fewer moving parts than gasoline golf cart engines, so there is little need for regular maintenance and replacement of electric golf cart engine parts.

On the other hand, you will need to replace your lead acid or lithium batteries every 3 to 5 years. The exact number of replacements depends on how well you take care of your batteries and how often you use your golf cart.

When comparing the lifetime cost of an electric golf cart to a gasoline golf cart, the electric golf cart is usually superior. This is especially true in areas where electricity prices are low and gas prices are high.

If you own an electric golf cart made in China, the difference may be even greater because parts prices are much lower than Yamaha, EZGO and Club Car.

When comparing maintenance and operating costs, electric golf carts are usually cheaper than gas golf carts.

Speed

In terms of speed, gas and electric golf carts each have their own characteristics.

Gas golf carts are known for being faster than electric golf carts.

A fast gas golf cart can reach faster speeds than an electric golf cart. This difference in speed can have a direct impact on your golf game, especially on wider courses.

A faster golf cart reduces the time it takes to move between holes, allowing you to play more rounds per day. It can also help you hit the ball faster and improve your overall pace of play.

While the top speed of an electric golf cart may not match that of a gas golf cart, some models offer features that can increase speed.

You can increase the speed of your golf cart by modifying it or choosing a model designed for higher speeds.

If power and speed are most important to you, then a gas golf cart has long been the way to go, with more torque and ideal for rough terrain. However, many electric golf carts, including the Evolution and Denago, are far faster than any regular gasoline golf cart, offering high performance without sacrificing speed. In addition, electric golf carts are quieter and accelerate more smoothly, making them ideal for flat terrain and residential areas where noise needs to be minimized.

Ultimately, choosing between the speed of a gas and electric golf cart depends on your preference and the specific needs of your golf experience.

Range

If range is important to you, then you should almost always choose a gas golf cart. For example, Yamaha golf carts have a range of 261 miles (about 420 kilometers). With this range, you can easily make a full day’s excursion to a resort or island. If there is a gas station nearby, the range should be perfectly fine, just like a regular gasoline car.

Most electric golf carts with lead acid and AGM batteries have a range of between 30 and 45 miles. This range is great for short trips, such as grocery shopping, going to a restaurant, or going to a nearby beach. Keep in mind, however, that to maximize the range of your electric golf cart, you must choose between 48-volt and 36-volt versions.

But with the rise of lithium batteries, the range gap between gasoline golf carts and electric golf carts has narrowed considerably. For example, STAR EV sells a 210-amp-hour lithium battery that’s good enough to provide 80 to 90 miles of range.

But be sure to calculate your average driving range; it’s usually lower than you think.

Gas golf carts have six to seven times the range of electric golf carts. If range is most important to you, choose a gas golf cart.

But if you choose an electric golf cart and want to maximize your range, be sure to choose a lithium battery.

Comfort

If you prefer a quieter driving experience, then an electric golf cart is the way to go. Especially if your gasoline golf cart is old and not well-maintained, the noise can increase over time. With an electric golf cart, you’ll never have to scream at your passengers.

But if you have to go with a gas golf cart that makes the least amount of noise, then Yamaha is a better choice than the gas golf carts from EZGO and Club Car.

In addition to noise, gas golf carts produce exhaust fumes that create odors and are harmful to the environment. And just like noise, as golf carts age, the noise worsens over time.

Or, when you refuel your golf cart with a gas can, the oil spills on the cart. Connecting a charging cable to an electric golf cart is cleaner and easier than refueling a gasoline golf cart. It’s like connecting your smartphone to an outlet, especially since almost all new electric golf carts now come with an on-board charger. Carrying around bulky and fragile chargers is a thing of the past.

The only downside to charging an electric golf cart is that a nearly depleted battery can take 8 to 12 hours to fill up, whereas if you’re using a tank full of gasoline, a fill-up can take as little as 5 minutes.

Impact on the Environment

Emissions

When comparing gas and electric golf carts, the biggest difference is undoubtedly their impact on the environment. Just like a full-size car, a gasoline-powered golf cart emits emissions. Electric golf carts, on the other hand, have zero emissions and are the environmentally friendly choice.

Noise Pollution

Gas golf carts are noisy due to the engine, which is often a disadvantage in environments such as residential areas. Electric golf carts, on the other hand, run almost silently, which is a huge advantage for those worried about neighbors and homeowners associations (HOAs).

Are electric golf carts better than gasoline golf carts?

Electric golf carts are better than gasoline golf carts in terms of speed, comfort, maintenance and maneuverability.

When should I choose a gas golf cart?

If range is most important to you, then you should choose a gas golf cart over an electric golf cart. The range of electric golf carts has increased over the past 20 years, especially with the use of lithium batteries, but it still doesn’t match the range of gas golf carts.

When should I choose an electric golf cart?

If you value speed, low noise, no tailpipe emissions and lower purchase, maintenance and operating costs, then you should choose an electric golf cart.