Electric vs Gas Golf Carts

While it may not be a topic that’s breaking apart families and nations, the debate about electric or gas power for golf carts is still important! For you, your wallet, and whatever outings you plan to take your cart on, gas and electric can have wildly different uses and applications. Here at Van Werts Carts, we may not be able to settle the debate for you entirely, but we can absolutely outline the differences to help you decide what works best for you!

We’ve put together a few tidbits of information on both electric and gas golf carts for that exact purpose. Read on for more, and if you have any questions or you’re ready to make your purchase, visit our store in Van Wert, Ohio! 

Gas Golf Carts

Gas golf carts are probably more common than their electric counterparts, largely because electric motors are still new and developing. They have a number of benefits thanks to the decades of upgrades and experimentation, and likewise are a more known entity to most dealers and service departments. Unfortunately, they also have some drawbacks.

Benefits

Up front, any gas golf cart will probably be faster, have more power, and are easier to refuel. The extra speed is nice when you’re trying to minimize the time between sinking a putt and setting up your shot on the next hole, and the extra power can make inclines and rougher terrain easier to handle for anyone taking their cart off-roading. Faster carts are also more likely to be allowed on paved areas, given that they won’t hold up other traffic as much. 

Additionally, a gas golf cart will be easier to modify and customize for anyone looking to put their own spin on things. A gas golf cart will also maintain its performance up until it’s totally out of gas, while an electric model will lose speed and power as the battery runs out.

Drawbacks

While refueling a gas tank is quick and easy, gasoline tends to be pretty tough on the environment. Although a single vehicle won’t make or break the balance of nature, every gas-guzzling golf cart out there brings with it the general pollution of gasoline, primarily the smell and sounds, either of which can be disruptive to other golfers on the fairway. The carbon-monoxide emissions also pose a threat to your health if the cart is operated in enclosed spaces like a garage, and the model will require more routine maintenance like oil changes.

Electric Golf Carts

The newer players to the game, electric golf carts are nevertheless innovating and changing the standards for golf carts at a faster rate. They, too, have a number of advantages and drawbacks that put them on par with their gas-fueled cousins.

Benefits

Electric golf carts are, you guessed it, the environmentally-friendly option. These greener options will have less of an impact on the golf course itself and the environment around it, not to mention your fellow golfers. These models are also more affordable, on average, both in terms of upfront costs and maintenance. Operational costs are also lower, since recharging the battery is less expensive than buying a tank of gas. 

Drawbacks

It’s important to know, before purchasing, that an electric golf cart will be a bit more difficult to maneuver. It’s a bit harder to tell when they’re running low on power, as well, and recharging takes a significant amount of time — at least an hour, possibly more. As it runs low on power, you’ll notice a dip in speed, power, and responsiveness, as well. This means that if you run out of power far away from a charging station, your cart may well need to be towed to somewhere it can recharge, which is a serious hassle. 

However gas and electric end up doing on your score sheet, they both remain serious contenders. Hopefully we’ve illuminated the topic for you enough that you can make the final call about whether the strengths balance out the weaknesses. If you need more help deciding or you’re ready to explore our selection of golf carts for sale near Decatur and Fort Wayne, Indiana, visit our dealership today!