There is a differing opinion amongst golf cart owners about which type of golf cart is the best. Some people prefer electric while others wouldn’t want anything besides a gasoline cart. To some, the quietness and environmentally friendliness of the electric cart win when compared to what a gas cart can offer. However, they both have their benefits and each also has its drawbacks.
A gas golf cart is better than an electric golf cart if you are seeking more power and range. However, a gas cart is loud, puts off unpleasant odors, and isn’t as environmentally friendly as an electric cart. The best one will be a matter of personal preference.
This article will attempt to give you some reasons why a gas golf cart may be better than an electric cart. I’d also like to compare the two in certain areas and discuss the maintenance required to get the most out of each.
Personally, I am an electric cart owner but I have also owned and driven lots of gas carts in my lifetime. I’ll admit that there have been times when a gas cart would have been more convenient. However, it will depend on your situation and exactly what you are using it for. Click here to learn why I think electric golf carts may be the better choice.
Why A Gas Golf Cart Is Better Than An Electric Golf Cart
The following reasons are why you might choose a gas golf cart over an electric one.
1) More Power
There is no doubt that a gas cart will deliver more power than an electric cart will. While an electric cart can have great takeoff power and feel like it’s getting the job done, a gasoline cart can maintain that power and, in the end, is more powerful than an electric cart will be. This is important if you are on a hilly golf course or if you are using the cart as a workhorse around the farm.
My electric cart will throw you back in the seat on takeoff but it does struggle up long, steep hills. A gas cart won’t have this problem as much because there is plenty of power in the gasoline engine to push through most any terrain you would drive it on. Not only that but an electric cart will get even worse as the batteries drain further.
Have you ever been out on the golf course in an electric cart and felt like you weren’t going to make it back? Every uphill slows you down to a near crawl and gives you the feeling that it’s not going to make it. This is a result of less voltage coming from the batteries as they drain throughout a day of usage. A gas cart always has the same power as long as it has gas in it.
2) No Batteries To Charge
Unlike an electric cart, you won’t have to worry about the batteries dying. Oftentimes, when I am driving my electric cart, I am constantly focused on the battery gauge to make sure the battery levels are at a high enough level to get me to where I need to go. I don’t want to get too far out, have my batteries die, and then not be able to get back.
This won’t be the case with a gas cart, although there is the chance that you could run out of gas. A gasoline cart is going to go further on a tank of gas than an electric cart will go on a full battery charge. Besides that, you can always have a can of gasoline with you and fill it up as needed while you are out and about.
When your batteries become low in an electric cart, they will take time to charge. Mine typically takes around 6 hours to fully charge after being depleted to the lowest level that I let it get to. With a gas cart, there is not much wasted time between refueling. You can add a few gallons of gas in less than a minute and then be on your way again. This is convenient for golf courses or those who use them regularly for other purposes.
3) No Batteries To Replace
Owning an electric golf cart means that you’ll have to replace batteries about every seven years. This is a large expense and something that you won’t have with a gas golf cart. With a gas golf cart, you only need to keep the engine and other moving parts maintained and there will be no expensive items to replace under normal circumstances. There is always the chance of parts going bad that will need replacing but that can be true with anything that has moving parts.
Changing batteries in an electric cart is a dreaded task to look forward to. As the years pass by, you will notice less and less power from the batteries. A cart that used to travel 30 miles might now be only able to travel 20 miles. This lets you know that the batteries just aren’t what they used to be and will need replacing soon. Thankfully, you won’t have to worry about this with a gas cart.
4) Longer Range
A gas cart will allow you to drive further distances. A typical Club Car gas cart will hold up to 7 gallons of fuel. When you calculate around 30 miles per gallon, you’ll see that a gas Club Car will allow you to drive upwards of 200 miles before needing to refuel.
Compare this to an electric cart and you’ll see a huge difference in the distance it can cover. An electric 48 volt Club Car might get you somewhere between 30 and 40 miles depending on the terrain. After your batteries have been spent during this distance, it will take a considerable amount of time to charge them back up. However, when you have spent all 7 gallons of gas, all you need to do is put 7 fresh gallons back in it and then be on your way.
This long-range benefit comes in handy for those who want to cover large distances. An electric cart may only be good for about two rounds of golf, while a gas one could carry you around on eight or more rounds with one fill-up.
Golf Cart Maintenance – Gas vs Electric
Some people consider a gas golf cart to be more convenient because there is less maintenance involved. This is mainly because an electric cart will require you to constantly maintain the batteries and even replace them after a certain number of years. For those who don’t want to fuss with batteries, a gas cart will free you from this maintenance. With a gas cart, you just put gas in it and go.
However, that’s not the end of the story. A gas golf cart will require its fair share of maintenance on a regular basis. Changing oil, filters, and other mechanical parts will need to be done if you want to keep it in tip-top shape. This really comes down to what you are using the cart for. If you need a cart that can go at a moment’s notice, a gas cart will be the best choice. After you put gas in it, you are free to hit the trail.
This does make a gas cart more convenient in a sense but don’t assume that you won’t have to do anything to it. It does still require a good amount of time and maintenance to be spent on it.
Here are just a few things that you’ll have to maintain on a golf cart.
Gas Golf Cart Maintenance
Checking & Changing Engine Oil
You’ll need to check oil often just like you do in your car or lawnmower. You’ll also need to change the oil on occasion and then dispose of that oil properly. You will also need to purchase and change the oil filter in the process. Obviously, none of this is needed on an electric cart since they are not equipped with a gasoline engine.
Cleaning & Replacing Filters
For a gasoline engine to run efficiently, you’ll need to clean and replace filters as needed. This might include air filters and fuel filters. Again, this will not apply to an electric cart since these filters are needed for gasoline engine components.
Tire Maintenance
Every golf cart will need tire maintenance and it usually just involves keeping them aired up to the proper levels. The typical golf cart tire needs about 18 – 22 PSI. I keep my Club Car tires around 20 PSI as the maximum PSI for my tires is 22 PSI.
Replacing Worn Parts
Like any type of mechanical vehicle, parts will fail over time and need to be replaced. It doesn’t matter if you own a gas cart or an electric cart, these parts will need to be replaced. On a gas cart, you might need to change the spark plugs, wires, fuel line, shocks, brakes, solenoid, and the list goes on and on. On an electric cart, you’ll need to replace the batteries and there could also be parts that break and need replacing such as the solenoid, speed controller, and motor.
Electric Golf Cart Maintenance
Some of the same maintenance jobs that are required on a gas cart are also required on an electric cart. Some parts are universal among these vehicles no matter the type. Some of the items below are things that you could expect to maintain on an electric cart.
- Battery charging. Batteries will usually need to be plugged up to the charger after each use. Largely depleted batteries can take a long time to charge, leaving you without a cart during the process.
- Battery maintenance. You’ll need to check the water levels and add water as needed. You’ll also need to clean the terminals and connections as well as inspect cables and wires regularly.
- Battery replacement. All batteries will need replacing after about seven years on average. This can be a costly undertaking but is part of owning an electric cart.
- Replacing bad parts. There is wear and tear on moving parts and some will go bad over time. You’ll need to replace these parts just as you would on a gas cart.
- Tire maintenance. Keep your tires inflated to the proper PSI and you shouldn’t have any issues. This goes with any golf cart and is just a part of maintaining any vehicle.
- Brakes. Brakes are very important so it’s a good idea to check them regularly and seek a professional to replace them when needed.
As you can see, the majority of maintenance involved on an electric cart will be related to batteries. Batteries require regular charging, checking water levels and topping off, and replacing every seven years or so. You don’t have this type of maintenance with a gas cart. Instead, you trade this maintenance for other types of maintenance required for gasoline engines.
No matter what, you can’t get away from maintenance and added costs when things go wrong. Keeping a vehicle running properly will require some work no matter whether it is gas or electric.
Bottom Line
In the end, a gas cart will be better than an electric cart only if it works better for your situation. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question since people have different preferences. Both types are popular among golfers and people who use them in other places.
Gas carts are dependable workhorses and are powerful with great range, allowing you to travel farther without worry. They will also last for many years if well-maintained. However, if you do not stay up on maintenance, you could experience worn parts and a shorter lifespan. It’s similar to your car in which you perform regular maintenance on. Checking the oil, changing the oil, changing filters, and greasing moving parts will help your gas cart to run like new for many years.
The best one can’t be determined because they both make great options. You just have to choose the areas that matter the most for what you will be using it for and let that guide you towards which you should purchase.
