How to Increase The Speed on An Electric Golf Cart?

Having a faster electric golf cart can make for a more efficient and fun experience when you’re out on the golf course or when you’re making your way through the neighborhood. Don’t you often wish your cart could go a little faster? Next, we’ll dive into how you can make that happen. However, safety and regulations can’t be ignored in the pursuit of speed.

What is the Average Golf Cart Speed?

Average Golf Cart Speed

In general, the top speed of an unmodified golf cart is usually between 12 and 14 miles per hour. Without any upgrades, electric golf carts typically reach their speed limit around 14 mph. You may be wondering if the speed varies between different types of golf carts. For example, there are gas-powered and electric-powered golf carts, and electric ones come with different power options such as 48-volt and 36-volt lithium-ion batteries.

Electric vs. Gas Golf Carts

When you’re choosing between gas and electric golf carts, speed is likely to be a key consideration. The good thing is that you’ll find that, unmodified, both types of carts can usually achieve similar top speeds, both ranging between 12 and 14 mph. The main difference is that electric golf carts may lose a little bit of speed when their power is reduced.

In terms of acceleration, gas-powered carts usually accelerate faster than electric ones. This is mainly due to the fact that a gas engine delivers power immediately, whereas an electric motor accelerates more gently.

Once the top speed is reached, electric golf carts are able to maintain a steady speed, while the speed of gas golf carts may fluctuate. Battery life plays a critical role in the performance of an electric golf cart, directly affecting its range and overall performance.

While gas-powered golf carts require regular maintenance, including oil changes and spark plugs, electric golf carts require less maintenance. From an environmental perspective, electric golf carts are considered more environmentally friendly due to their zero emissions.

Factors Affecting Golf Cart Speed

Motor/Engine Power

The power of the motor (for electric golf carts) or engine (for gas golf carts) is a key factor in determining speed. The higher the power of the engine, the higher the speed the cart can naturally achieve. Different power of the motor or engine corresponds to different speed performance of the golf cart. For example, a high-power motor can make an electric golf cart run faster than a low-power one under the same conditions.

Battery Voltage

In electric golf carts, battery voltage plays an important role in speed. A higher-voltage battery provides more power, which results in an increased speed of the golf cart. For example, an electric golf cart with a 48-volt battery tends to be faster than one with a 36-volt battery. Batteries of different voltages can significantly affect the speed performance of a golf cart in real-world use.

Terrain

The type of terrain you drive your electric golf cart on affects its speed. Flat, smooth surfaces allow the golf cart to travel faster, while hilly or rough terrain slows it down. On flat surfaces, the golf cart is subject to less resistance, and the motor can drive the vehicle forward more efficiently. On the other hand, in hilly terrain, the golf cart needs to overcome gravity and consumes more energy, which naturally reduces its speed. Therefore, reasonable driving according to the terrain can maintain the speed of the golf cart to a certain extent.

Weight

The total weight of the electric golf cart, including passengers and cargo, will have an impact on the speed. Lighter golf carts tend to travel faster. This is because the heavier the golf cart, the more resistance the motor or engine has to overcome and the more energy it consumes, which results in a decrease in speed. Reducing unnecessary items on a golf cart can effectively reduce weight and increase speed.

Tires

The size and type of tires can also affect speed. Larger, firmer tires may provide better grip but reduce speed, while smaller, smoother tires increase speed on flat surfaces. For example, some large off-road-type tires, while suitable for complex terrain, will increase rolling resistance on a flat course, slowing the cart down. Smaller, smooth tires designed specifically for speed, on the other hand, reduce drag and make the cart go faster.

Why is My Golf Cart Running Slow?

Low battery

If your golf cart battery is not fully charged or if the battery is aging, the output will be lower, resulting in slower speed. For a low battery, just charge it in time. And in the case of an aging battery, you may need to replace or repair the battery to restore the performance of your golf cart. Aging batteries have less efficient internal chemical reactions and cannot provide enough power to maintain the normal speed of the golf cart.

Speed Sensor Problems

A malfunctioning speed sensor may cause the golf cart to misjudge its own speed, resulting in reduced engine power. When this happens, the malfunctioning speed sensor needs to be repaired or replaced in order for the electric golf buggy to return to its normal speed. The speed sensor is like the “speed eye” of the golf cart, and when it fails, the speed control of the golf cart is compromised.

Forward/Backward Switch Failure

If the forward/reverse switch is damaged or has wiring problems, it can confuse the golf cart’s judgment of the direction of travel, which in turn can result in reduced speed. If you notice signs such as sparking or unreliable operation of the switch, you should seek professional help. This is because a faulty switch may affect the circuit connections and interfere with the normal operation of the motor, thus reducing the speed of the golf cart.

Improper use

Improper operation such as overloading, insufficient tire pressure, neglecting maintenance, making sharp turns, or braking sharply can put stress on the electric powered golf cart and reduce its speed. Proper handling will help maintain optimum performance of the golf cart. Overloading can overburden the golf cart and require more power for the motor to drive, resulting in a loss of speed. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, again affecting speed. Regular maintenance ensures that golf cart components are functioning properly and reduces speed reductions due to wear and tear on components and other issues.

5 Effective Ways to Faster Electric Golf Cart

Replacement for lithium battery

Upgrading to lithium batteries is one of the most effective ways to improve the speed and overall performance of your electric powered golf cart. Lithium batteries have a higher energy density and can store more energy in the same space than traditional lead-acid batteries, providing more power to the cart.

Lithium batteries are lighter in weight and can significantly reduce the overall weight of the golf cart, allowing the golf cart to travel faster, handle better, and increase both acceleration and top speed. And unlike lead-acid batteries, which lose power as they are depleted, lithium batteries provide a stable power output throughout the charging cycle, ensuring that the wheelbarrow maintains its speed even when the power drops.

Lithium batteries charge faster, reducing wait times and allowing you to get back on the course or road faster. At the same time, lithium batteries last longer and require less maintenance, which not only saves you money in the long run but also ensures that the golf cart stays in good condition for a long time. The lighter weight also reduces wear and tear on tires, shocks, and brakes, resulting in a smoother, faster, and better-handling golf cart. And, with no complicated wiring connections, it delivers a powerful power boost to golf buggies by simply replacing old lead-acid batteries directly.

Increased torque for increased speed 

We all know what speed is, so what is torque? Torque is the traction of the motor, and it is related to the current. Basically, the higher the current, the higher the torque. With DC golf cart motors, it’s important to understand a key principle: voltage determines speed and current determines torque. If you want your electric golf cart to go faster, you need to increase the motor’s revolutions per minute (RPM). There are two ways to accomplish this:

1. Use a motor with a higher RPM rating. This will increase the speed without changing the voltage. Different motors have different RPM ratings, and choosing a motor with a higher RPM will directly increase speed by allowing the golf cart to spin faster under the same conditions.
2. Provide higher voltage to the existing motor. This method allows you to keep the current motor and simply increase the voltage to increase the top speed of the golf cart. With the increased voltage, the motor gets more energy and spins faster, which naturally speeds up the golf cart.

Replacing golf cart tires with better ones

Upgrading your tires and increasing their size is an affordable and easy way to increase the speed of your golf cart for both gas and electric golf carts. Installing larger diameter tires on your cart will ultimately increase your cart’s top speed.

Most new or used golf carts come stock with standard 8-inch golf cart tires. Simply replacing them with larger (20 to 24 inch) tires without other upgrades (such as new motors, speed controllers, etc.) can add an additional 2 to 4 mph to the cart, depending on the size of the tires. There are a number of benefits to increasing speed by replacing tires:

1. Cost Effective: Most golf cart tires, even larger, thicker tires, cost less compared to other speed upgrade options. You don’t need to spend a lot of money on expensive equipment to realize a speed upgrade.
2. Easy to operate: It is very easy to install larger-size tires on new or used golf carts. It can be easily done by an ordinary person and takes almost no time. Simply remove the old tires, install the new tires, and you’re ready to enjoy a higher-speed driving experience.

It should be noted, however, that depending on the tire size and the make/model of the golf cart, some carts may require the installation of a lift kit to fit the new tires. Whether or not you decide to increase the size of your tires, make sure that they are always properly inflated. Different sizes and types of tires have different ideal inflation pressures, so keeping your tires properly inflated at all times, whether you plan to replace them with larger tires or not, is the most basic and important step in ensuring your golf cart’s speed.

Improving Your Golf Cart’s High-Speed Controller/Electromagnetic Contactor Relay

In addition to the motor, there are several other components to consider when upgrading. Installing a torque motor or speed motor may not be the ultimate solution. There are two main electrical components that play an important role in an electric golf cart system to keep in mind during the upgrade process: the golf cart solenoid contactor relay and the golf cart electronic speed controller.

These components (solenoid contactor relay and electronic speed controller) are located between the motor and the battery pack. If these components are not upgraded along with the speed motor or torque motor, a “bottleneck” situation can occur (which no one wants).

For this reason, it is highly recommended that all components be upgraded to the proper amperage level. If you plan on upgrading the motor and increasing the speed/torque of your golf cart in this way, here is a list of the components you will need to upgrade: motor, solenoid contactor relay, electronic speed controller.

Lighten The Golf Cart’s Weight

As with any vehicle, the lighter the golf cart, the faster it will travel. You can remove unnecessary items from your cart and consider replacing heavy parts with lighter alternatives. For example, use an aluminum frame instead of a steel one, or replace it with a lithium-ion battery. Lighter frames and batteries reduce the overall weight of the golf cart and reduce the amount of drag that needs to be overcome when the motor is driven, allowing the electric golf cart to travel faster.

Safety and Regulations: Speed with Responsibility

Safety Considerations

When increasing the speed of electric golf buggies, a balance must be found between the thrill of pursuing speed and ensuring safety. Every speed modification made to a cart needs to be weighed against its impact on the safety and stability of the vehicle. This is not only a matter of personal safety but also a matter of legal responsibility.

For example, removing the speed limiter, while increasing speed, significantly alters the handling characteristics of the golf cart and can lead to unsafe driving conditions. Upgrades such as high-performance batteries and optimized motors likewise need to be matched to the overall design of the cart so as not to put undue stress on mechanical components. Measures such as adjusting gear ratios and improving aerodynamics, while helping to increase speed, must not come at the expense of the cart’s ability to drive safely in its intended environment.

Regulatory Compliance

It is critical to understand and comply with regulations, which can vary greatly from state to state and local to local. These regulations typically specify the maximum allowable speed for electric golf carts in public areas or on streets. Ensuring that your electric golf cart remains compliant with street driving regulations even after modifications is not only a legal requirement but also necessary for public safety. Driving in violation can result in fines, vehicle impoundment, and other consequences, as well as pose a safety hazard to others.

The speed of electric golf carts can be effectively increased by replacing lithium batteries, increasing torque, replacing tires, improving components such as controllers, and reducing the weight of the cart. However, in the pursuit of speed, be sure to prioritize safety and strictly comply with relevant regulations. Only in this way can you enjoy the convenience and fun of a faster golf cart while ensuring the safety of yourself and others. We hope that you will make wise decisions when upgrading your golf cart and create a cart that is both high-performing and safe and compliant.