Why Lithium-Ion: Lithium vs Lead-Acid vs Gas (Golf Carts)
Options galore defines the golf cart industry these days. From number of seats, to brands, to features, to battery options… it can be a bit overwhelming at times (to say the least). When choosing a cart that is best for you, it is crucial to find out what you value most.
Lead Acid Batteries:
Traditional lead acid batteries have been around for decades. They are relatively lower cost up front and are not overly challenging to replace. Because of this, they have been incredibly popular for some time.
While they may be cheaper up front, they can end up costing significantly more over time. They need frequent maintenance and last about 4-6 years (on the higher end). While this proven technology is great for some folks, the constant maintenance and replacement cycle can be overwhelming for some. Not to mention, they are quite heavy and add significant weight to the cart.
Gas:
Range is the true difference maker regarding gas carts. Some gas carts can push 100 miles per fill, providing exceptional drive time. They are also great for hauling large weight over challenging terrain, without losing much power. Then there is the benefit of quickly refilling your cart if it happens to run out of gas, versus having to wait for a charger.
While gas carts seem excellent on paper, and certainly are in some circumstances, the negatives are pretty glaring. First and foremost, and at no surprise to anyone with a car, gas is EXPENSIVE. Gas is almost always more expensive than the cost to charge a cart at home. Plus, you need to keep gas with you or find a gas station to refill. Not a problem if a gas station is close by, but not everyone has that luxury. Then there is the maintenance required. Gas carts need more consistent work than their electric counterparts. This (when also considering the loud noise, frequent leaks, and fumes) is often enough to turn folks towards electric options.
Lithium-Ion:
If you are looking for clean convenience, Lithium may be the best choice for you! While they are more expensive upfront than lead acid or gas routes, long term value is the name of the game in Lithium-Ion batteries. They essentially require no maintenance, are lighter weight, and last 10+ years. Plus, when you are done driving for the day, they just plug in to a wall outlet. It doesn’t get much easier than that!
Some carts that run on lead acid batteries are convertible to Lithium as well, giving you another option if you love your current cart. Lithium offers low maintenance at no sacrifice of power.
So, what is best for you?
Hopefully this post helps you build a framework for your options. We are not ashamed to admit our bias (after all… we do sell exclusively Lithium carts for the time being), but we chose this path for a reason. We proudly stand behind the convenience Lithium-Ion offers, and our customers do too.
Are you thinking about making the switch to Lithium? If so, make sure you check out our wide range of options, or shoot us an email! As always… your adventure starts here.
