How Far Will a Golf Cart Go On Full Charge?
You’re not the first person to ask this question.
In fact, “How Far Will a Golf Cart Go On a Full Charge?” is one of the most common electric golf cart questions. Not how comfortable they are. Not how many people can sit inside at a time. Most people want to know just how far they can roll with their golf car before the cart batteries are exhausted.
Nobody wants to break down on hole 14 of a fancy golf course. Your game may be unreliable, but your golf cart shouldn’t be.
So today, we’re going to find out how far different golf carts can go on a full battery charge. As you will see, many factors determine the distance a golf cart can travel such as the battery system used and the model of the cart itself.
So, without further delay, let’s get you the information you need.
Different models of electric golf carts
Simple questions don’t always have simple answers, but we’ll try to help you understand the basics of electric golf cart battery setups.
You should know that the make and model of an electric golf cart plays an important role in determining in how far an electric car can travel on a full charge.
Let’s take a look at one of the most popular golf cart setups, a 48v golf cart. With an AC motor and new (ish) batteries, this golf cart should travel the following distances:
- Using a Trojan T-875 8V battery – After sitting on the golf cart charger, this battery setup should power a golf cart for 117 minutes at 56 amps. That means the maximum range of this battery would be around 23.4 miles when traveling at 12 miles per hour. For the golfers out there, you should be able to play 3.3 rounds of golf or 60 holes (unless you’re a really high handicapper that has to travel extra distance to retrieve each shot)
- Using a Trojan T-1275+ 12V battery – These batteries should run for 102 minutes at 56 amps. The maximum range of this new battery when powering a 48V E-Z-GO RXV golf cart is approximately 20.5 miles when moving at 12 miles per hour. In golfing terms, this equates to around 3 rounds or 54 holes.
If you need to re-energize your golf cart, the T875 battery pack from Trojan is the way to go. Free shipping!
Many golf cart professionals will say that 30 miles is a good estimate, but it’s probably smart to round down and play it safe.
48V golf carts that have DC motors (such as the EZGO, Yamaha, and Club Car options) will usually run for a bit less (20% less to be specific) than the distances we highlighted above. This is because an AC electric motor tends to be more powerful, but less efficient than its DC counterparts.
It’s worth noting that lithium ion battery options can extend how far a golf cart will go on a full charge. In fact, one company managed to take an E-Z-GO RXV Range 114 miles on a single charge. Pretty impressive! Later in the article, we’ll talk about why — in spite of their capabilities — these batteries aren’t utilized more.
But these figures should only be taken as guidelines. Different scenarios can all have a significant effect on how long your electric vehicle will run before it needs to be put back on the charger. We’re just trying to give you some estimates on range.
Factors that affect how far a golf cart can travel
A golf cart may last longer or die sooner depending on a variety of circumstances. Some factors include:
- The battery voltage
- The battery manufacturer
- The battery type (i.e AGM, Lithium, Lead Acid)
- The battery age
- The golf cart controller
- The tire pressure of the golf cart
- The type of electric motor that powers the cart (AC or DC)
- The driving conditions and terrain
Each of these factors can have an impact on the battery life of a golf cart. When you start to combine them, the average distance that we discussed above can change significantly.
Battery voltage
You can usually choose between three different battery sizes for golf carts:
- 6V battery
- 8V battery
- 12V battery
In general, the run time of the battery is related to its voltage rating. In other words, a 48V golf cart with 4 x 12V batteries will not be able to run as long as a 48V golf cart that has 6 x 8V batteries.
Simple explanation: The smaller the battery is, the better the run time.
The battery manufacturer
Not all batteries are made equal. Some are simply better than others and last longer. A standard car battery is very different than a deep cycle golf cart battery, so rechargeable batteries for a golf cart tend to feature different brand names than the batteries we associate with “normal” applications.
If you’re shopping for a new battery set up, stick with reputable battery brands such as Trojan or UPG. These options will ensure longevity on the golf course and fewer risks of breakdowns.
Also, it seems obvious, but if you have a gas golf cart, you won’t be shopping the same battery options as you would be for an electric cart.
Battery type
The three main types of golf cart batteries are:
- FLA (Deep-cycle flooded lead acid batteries)
- AGM Battery (Absorbed glass-mat)
- Lithium-ion battery
FLA, or lead-acid, batteries are historically the most common battery type found in golf carts. However, the quality and price can fluctuate dramatically with this type of battery which can lead to varying levels of power in a cart. As a general rule, don’t go cheap on this purchase and expect to replace these batteries after 4 or 5 years.
AGM, or absorbed glass, mat batteries tend to be the batteries you want for a gas cart or automobile. On the whole, these don’t require much battery maintenance but they shouldn’t be used as the source of power for an electric golf cart.
Lithium-ion batteries are the newest type of batteries to be used in golf carts. Today, E-Z-GO is the world leader in using these batteries in their golf carts. Many agree that lithium battery-powered golf carts are here to stay and are the future. This is because they are perform well and have great longevity (3 to 5 times longer than a lead acid battery).
The fact that a lithium ion battery is sealed, maintenance-free, doesn’t contain gases, and doesn’t corrode makes it the most reliable and popular choice for golf cart manufacturers today. The only drawback to lithium batteries is that they are pretty expensive, especially when compared to lead acid batteries.
Now You Know How Far Will a Golf Cart Go On a Full Charge.
But remember, a variety of factors will determine the distance your golf cart can go on a single charge. The age of the battery, the golf cart motor, the tire pressure and the cart’s controller are other key aspects that should be considered.
There are human elements that factor in as well. For example:
- How fast will you be driving the golf cart? The slower you go, the further you should be able to travel.
- How many passengers will be in the cart? How much does those passengers weigh?
You get the idea.
Taking all of these factors into consideration, the longevity of a golf cart’s battery can vary. But don’t worry, one charge should get you around a golf course more than once…and that’s all that really matters!
Obsessed with golf carts? So are we. Find other posts in our Golf Carts archive.
