The Electric Golf Cart Revolution

I used to laugh at those little old ladies cruising around small towns in their tricked-out golf carts. I mean, what could be more endearing and cute than that?

Well guess who’s having the last laugh now?

Granny was on to something way back when, because today, like it or not, the electrical revolution is coming.

Because most of us can’t afford the $100K price tag of a Tesla Roadster, or even the $20K price tag of a new Honda, we will no doubt be seeing a lot more golf carts and NEVs (Neighborhood Electric Vehicles) on the road.

Not only are golf carts and NEVs quite affordable, they also qualify for federal tax credits, and some carts can pay for themselves in fuel savings after only a few years.

More and more people are using golf carts, on the course and off, for things like running to the corner store or dropping the kids off at school. And of course parking enforcement and businesses with large campuses have used golf carts for years. There is even a community in Georgia—Peachtree City—where over 90 miles of road pave the way for over 10,000 golf carts.

Whatever your reason, a golf cart can make your life simpler, and it can even make your commute a lot easier and more affordable.

Every day more communities are allowing street legal golf carts and NEVs in their low-speed areas. To make a cart street legal requires title, registration, and insurance, and the cart needs to be outfitted with at least one rearview mirror, functional headlights, taillights, directional indicators, and a horn. Some jurisdictions also require carts to have windshields and safety belts. In most cases, carts and NEVs need to be able to reach speeds of 25 mph, but not more than 35 mph.

Legality of golf carts and other non-traditional motorized vehicles is usually up to the individual cities or counties, so check with your DMV or local authorities for all the details.

There is an entire culture of custom golf carts out there, and the degree of personalization might surprise you.

Not only can you get conventional accessories like canopies, coolers, heaters, and beverage holders, you can also get things like built-in GPS, golf ball washers, and cargo boxes.

This is not to mention things like custom trim, diamond plate, lift kits, rocker panels, and roll bars. And of course what fan could be without custom wheels and tires?

Just like cars, golf carts come with many options. And just like cars, you can find one new or used.

New golf carts and NEVs come with the same features as new cars, including no miles and complete warranties.

But, just like new cars, a new golf cart loses value as soon as you drive it off the lot.

Because many golf courses regularly replace their fleets, there are plenty of quality used golf carts on the market. Many of these carts have been refurbished by the manufacturer and come with warranties.

Carts and NEVs are quiet, have no emissions, and some even have a regenerative braking system that recharges the batteries when the car slows or goes downhill.

Electric carts require very little maintenance, other than periodic checking and maintenance of batteries and occasional chassis lubrication and tire replacement.

Best of all, there are tax incentives for the purchase of some electric vehicles, including golf carts and NEVs.

The lines between golf carts, NEVs and hybrid cars are getting blurrier every day, so you are sure to be able to find something that suits your unique needs.

New golf carts vary in price from a few thousand dollars to as much as $20,000, depending on features and accessories and how much you want to customize your ride.

If you rent a golf cart on a regular basis, you might find that buying your own can save you money after only a few years.

Likewise, if most of your day is spent running local errands, a cart or NEV can really pay for itself in convenience, maintenance, and fuel cost.

To purchase a golf cart or NEV, you can visit dealers, or even buy online.

If you already know what you would like, online shopping is much easier and more affordable than visiting a dealer in person. Many electric golf cart sites offer unbeatable prices and free delivery.

One thing is certain—when gas prices reach $5 a gallon, you’ll be the one having the last laugh.