[JohnZ]

The difference between a 36v and 48v cart, for most practical purposes, would be negligible. SteveZ is correct that voltage should not be confused with power. However, voltage is a factor in calculating available power output. Without getting toooo technical power=Voltage x Current (amperage) OR P=VI. If your algebra skill is a bit rusty this means that any increase in voltage would result in cooresponding decrease in amperage (current draw) to produce the same available power output. So, a 48v system would draw less amps and technically would provide a little more range with all things being equal (motor horsepower, cart-passanger-payload weight). A 48v system would also provide higher low-end torque.....this you would feel when accerlerating from a dead stop (a little more felt pep). With regard to range, what Kahuna mentions is correct in that the kind of driving you do has a big influence on range. Acceleration events places the largest load on your batteries, so lots of stop-and-go activity will obviously reduce range a lot. But the higher HP motor ratings and higher low-end torque of 48v systems offsets this current load... but just a bit. The best way to think of range (in terms of juice use) is watt-hours. If you do some research, and do the math, you'll find that 36v systems actually have more watt-hours per full charge than 48v systems but not by much. Speed should be nearly identical with both systems and this also is a function of motor horsepower rating, load weight, tires etc. Additionally, limiters are installed to keep top speeds within legal allowable limits. The higher low-end torque of a 48v system would also give you a little more oomph going over hills on the course.

Bottom Line: It's six of one compared to half dozen of the other.