Golf Cart differences

[taylor111947]

Could someone explain the differences (advantages/disadvantages would be nice too) among golf carts. I've heard the term street-legal. What does that mean? Also I hear there are gas and electric carts. Do gas carts use regular gas? How far can you go in a gas vs an electric car before running out of juice? Then there seems to be some controversy about how fast a cart can go. What are the issues there?

[Russ_Boston]

I'll start: Street legal is a term for low speed vehicles (LSV) carts that are made to tougher legal standards than a normal cart and can run on streets that a normal cart can not. Some/all have: roll bars, seat belts, high speed motors and braking systems etc. All street legal carts are electric I think. Check this link: http://www.fairwaygolfcartsonline.com/lawsforlowspeedvehicles-florida.html

Most people I know who have electric carts run them for no more than 40 miles before full charge. Some manufactures claim upwards of 60 miles but I don't want to be towed home! Gas carts can get a couple of hundred miles on a fill-up of a five + gallon tank.

Some people have claimed that premium gas cuts down on smell but most people I've talked to use regular.

There is no controversy on speed. A non LSV can go no faster than 20mph (I think the actual FLA law states 19.6?). LSV's can go no faster than 25mph. But that doesn't mean the cart can't physically go faster:)

Someone please correct me if I've made an error.

[REDCART]

In addition to distance, gas golf carts generally climb hills better than electric carts. That was accurate before EZ-Go introduced their RXV model with an AC motor around 2007. The RXV climbs steep hills with two adults and absolutely no decrease in speed. The Polaris on the other hand, still dies on a steep incline.

George

[Bill-n-Brillo]

taylor - Here's an older thread that will help shed some light on your questions about "street-legal" carts (also called LSVs - low speed vehicles), speeds, etc. Russ is correct that they must be electric.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11350

Re: gas versus electric -

- All gas carts (that I know of!) use regular unleaded gas.

- You'll get varying feedback from folks regarding their preference of gas carts or electric ones. To a point, it's analogous to the "Ford vs. Chevy" debate - some like one car brand more than the other, all for mostly good reasons regardless of anyone's preference. One thing to consider with cart usage in TV: As TV continues to grow geographically - eventually clear down to Rt. 44/Wildwood, some electric carts (depending on your location, usage, care/age of the batteries, driving habits, etc.) might be getting taxed to their limit due to the longer distances they will need to cover. That alone sways my personal preference to gas carts. Fill a gas cart's tank up with fuel and you're good for a number of days, regardless of how much you're driving it around. Others will have a passion for electric carts for a variety of good reasons. But if your main concern is driving distance, you'll probably lean towards a gas cart.

Bill

[getdul981]

If you're going to be driving at nght the electric will drain the batteries faster when you use your headlights.

[starflyte1]

I have an electric EZ-G0 RXV and am very happy with it. As another poster said, it does not lose speed going up a hill. Being able to retain top legal speed is important to me. The Villages is a big area to cover.

My husband has a gas Club Car. To change gears for forward, neutral and reverse, he has to move a lever that is between the two passengers, on the seat bench. It can be awkard. He also has an ignition key.

My EZ-GO has a switch on the dash that turns the cart on and off, as well as changes the gears. Much easier, especially on the back.

[LittleDog]

My home is pretty much in the middle of the Villages so gas vs electric is not really germane to where I live. However, if I lived on the ends of TV I would probably opt for gas. My preference is electric because I can get anywhere in TV on one charge. Its easy to just plug in and then go the next day. I have never run out of juice and as another person has posted I believe that 40 miles might be the limit for one charge. (I live about 8 miles from Lopez and that is the furthest course from me.) About 5 months ago I purchased a solar panel for my golf cart roof and I believe that is giving my batteries more life because before I got the panel the battery charging indicator would go down faster. My batteries are over 2 years old. Now it doesn't do that. Nothing extraordinary about the solar panel like giving me 70 miles on a charge but I do notice a difference.

John

[jebartle]

Windshield wipers are required for LSV's also...LSV's can travel on all roads that are 35mph or less, includes crossing 441/27.

Gas use to be noisy and smell up the garage but I think they have
improved.

We usually rent a cart if the drive is LOOOONNNNG, it's a rough ride from one
end of the Villages to the other (15 miles?) (cart rental $10)

A cart we use to own was an LC-3 (Dealer on historic side - The Village Cart Man) which has a trunk big enough to store and lock two small golf bags which is a "good thing" when you stop for lunch after your game and still want your clubs to be waiting for you...

In addition to purchasing a golf cart and deciding on different "goodies" you want on your cart, you will also decide on "curtains" or sliders..

Soooo many decisions but I'm sure you will love whatever cart (or carts) you park in your "Paradise Palace"

[joannej]

In addition to distance, gas golf carts generally climb hills better than electric carts. That was accurate before EZ-Go introduced their RXV model with an AC motor around 2007. The RXV climbs steep hills with two adults and absolutely no decrease in speed. The Polaris on the other hand, still dies on a steep incline.

George

We have an EZ-Go 2008 model and it's great on hills, much better than the other brands we tried out. :-)

[SALYBOW]

A street legal cart can go 25 mph but isn't that just on the street? I have had them whiz past me on the cart paths. Should they even be there at all? I have also been told that a street legal cart needs to be registered as an automobile and needs a license plate. If true, does it cost as much to register a cart as a cart, i.e., 400+ dollars? Also hasn't the insurance for a Street legal much hicher than a non legal crt? All things to consider. We have a 2008 Ez-Go, We live as far west as the villages go and we have only gotten close to "empty" once when we both needed it for golf one day. Take it for what it is.

[jebartle]

A street legal cart can go 25 mph but isn't that just on the street? I have had them whiz past me on the cart paths. Should they even be there at all? I have also been told that a street legal cart needs to be registered as an automobile and needs a license plate. If true, does it cost as much to register a cart as a cart, i.e., 400+ dollars? Also hasn't the insurance for a Street legal much hicher than a non legal crt? All things to consider. We have a 2008 Ez-Go, We live as far west as the villages go and we have only gotten close to "empty" once when we both needed it for golf one day. Take it for what it is.

Hi Salybow

As a courtesy to cars, we usually will move to cart path but return to street....Yes, street legal carts need to be registered ($50) and insured (Safeco $101/yr) and for that, you have the dubious honor of going 5 mph more than other carts.. :coolsmiley:

[chacam]

I think the actual FLA law states 19.6

What law is states 19.6 ?

[Russ_Boston]

That's why I said I think and put a ? on the end of the sentence (although you left that out of my quote). I thought I remembered that somewhere. And I said for someone to correct me if I was wrong!!!

Maybe I read it in a golf cart company's specifications for a particular model.

I have only found 20mph as the limit in writing.


Just a thought, not necessarily aimed at you Chacam: Why do we always need to split hairs on people's posts? 19.6 or 20 not a biggie. Let's concentrate on answering the original posters questions instead of being pedantic and going on tangents. Getting very tiresome and not fair to people who are just looking for some answers from the good folk on TOTV. Just my opinion.

Tony - please ban me know to protect me from myself:)

[Halle]

If you want more information you can go to Florida Statues.

320.01 Definitions, general.--As used in the Florida Statutes, except as otherwise provided, the term:

(22) "Golf cart" means a motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of 20 miles per hour.

(42) "Low-speed vehicle" means any four-wheeled electric vehicle whose top speed is greater than 20 miles per hour but not greater than 25 miles per hour, including neighborhood electric vehicles. Low-speed vehicles must comply with the safety standards in 49 C.F.R. s. 571.500 and s. 316.2122

Referencing the above statue what classification would you put a golf cart in that has been altered to go more than 20 miles per hour and does not meet the requirements to be classified as an LSV?

[Russ_Boston]

Referencing the above statue what classification would you put a golf cart in that has been altered to go more than 20 miles per hour and does not meet the requirements to be classified as an LSV?


I think it is that class that police officers have been cracking down on by giving unregistered vehicle tickets for carts that exceed 20mph but to not abide by the street legal guidelines (registration, safety equip etc.).

Thanks for the info on the actual FLA law.

[chacam]

Why do we always need to split hairs on people's posts?

Why do folks post when they know not of what they post?

If you tell me what the law is, you should cite the Florida statute, not what you heard or thought or what someone told you. Lots of misinformation here because folks think they know it all.

[Russ_Boston]

Why do folks post when they know not of what they post?

If you tell me what the law is, you should cite the Florida statute, not what you heard or thought or what someone told you. Lots of misinformation here because folks think they know it all.


Listen, (or read), I said that it was not a statement but a question. What part of that don't you understand? I asked others to correct me if wrong and someone then posted the FLA law. That is how this works. I never said it was fact. I was not posting misinformation and it was only .04 off of the law anyway even if I did say it was fact.

Can you honestly say that I was posting mis-information?

If you read the vast majority of my posts I try to help the person with the question. If I don't know something I will ask for help. I use a lot of links in my posts because I do take the time to do some research to help out.

[Tom Hannon]

Russ is one of the most helpful and most respected posters on TOTV and is loved by most of the nearly 15,000 posters on TOTV. HE IS ALSO MY NEIGHBOR. It is not fair to nit pick his references and estimates.

[batman911]

chacam,

Are you related to Mrs Shadow?

[nkrifats]

Russ,
Keep up your post. Looking forward to meeting you in person some day.

[downeaster]

As a test, I ran my 02 electric Club Car 42 miles per my GPS. This was on one charge. I only quit at 42 miles because of darkness and I was feed up with riding in a golf cart. 42 miles is equivalent to Ocala and back. There are places in The Villages that are out of reach in my golf cart. Not because it won't get me there and back but because it is just to far to ride in a golf cart.

So, as far as range is concerned, gas or electric makes no difference to me.

[bluedog103]

Russ is one of the most helpful and most respected posters on TOTV and is loved by most of the nearly 15,000 posters on TOTV. HE IS ALSO MY NEIGHBOR. It is not fair to nit pick his references and estimates.
I think that's 15,000 members. I wonder what percentage of TOTV members actually post? Anyone know?
I know it's probably useless information but sometimes I find stupid, useless information interesting.

[Taj44]

Exactly. There seem to be a handful of people that post a lot, but many many "members" who never post. And a number of people that post a lot don't even live in The Villages. Too funny!

[golfnut]

i'm with russ, 19.6 or 20.0, neither will get you a second look, why nit pick. downeaster, 42 miles on one charge is excellent, my experience is about 25 miles before the yellow light on my CC comes on. Quote jebartle "As a courtesy to cars, we usually will move to cart path but return to street" If you feel the need to be courteous to cars why would you buy an LSV, also I'd like to know how many LSV owners have paid $50 reg fee and $101 annual insurance.....gn

[ljones190]

As a test, I ran my 02 electric Club Car 42 miles per my GPS. This was on one charge. I only quit at 42 miles because of darkness and I was feed up with riding in a golf cart. 42 miles is equivalent to Ocala and back. There are places in The Villages that are out of reach in my golf cart. Not because it won't get me there and back but because it is just to far to ride in a golf cart.

So, as far as range is concerned, gas or electric makes no difference to me.

I plan to buy a cart next spring and had not decided gas versus electric. The above comment makes a lot of sense to me and think Downeaster has convinced me to buy electric. Thanks for your post.

[golfnut]

ljones, i think you should base your decision on real life experience as opposed to postings on a website which can be helpful but shouldn't be your only source. I think you can rent both gas and electric and then make your own decision, try grandma and grandpas, not sure of the spelling but i think someone will correct me.....gn

[Vinny]

We had two guests a few weeks ago so I rented a gas club car. The passengers in the rear seats complained about the smell of gas and took turns riding up front with me. After three days we just used my car. I guess it all depends on your tolerance to the smell of gas and the noise of the gas cart.

No doubt that if the cart is going to be your primary means of transportation and used for daily golf and going from one end of the Villages to the other regularly, then gas is the way to go. I live between Lake Sumter and Rt. 466A and have no problem with my electric cart running out of juice. One thing to consider is that you can get a 48V cart which has a greater range than the 36 v. (?) one. I do not golf and charge my cart once a week.

I also do not see the need to use my cart when my car is more practical and comfortable. For instance, in winter, in the summer when the temperature is around 98 or for longer trips in the Villages. I had one person tell me that he got a gas cart so that if the electricity goes out in a storm, he could fill his cart from a can of gas he keeps in his garage or from his car. I reminded him that all he had to do was use his car if that was the case and it then dawned on him the truth of what I said. He really had not considered using his car as an option. :laugh:

[Ohiogirl]

We've had an electric 2 seater for about 3 years, mostly used by our tenants or sitting idle. If I were to do it again, I'd have bought a gas one for use by tenants - don't have to depend on the tenants to properly check and fill the batteries.

That said, I like electric better. Quieter and don't have to lift a heavy gas can or get to the gas station to fill. And doesn't smell. And not as polluting. We don't live all that close to any gas stations. And it doesn't seem to affect the electric bill much either.

We are in the process of purchasing a 2nd cart to be a 2 cart couple, went back and forth on gas vs electric. Since we live close to what will be the middle of the Villages, we decided an electric 4 seater was the best option for us, but I agree that if you live in one end or the other, or use the cart most days on championship courses and a lot doing other errands, then gas is probably the way to go.

We have a 2005 Club Car DS, and have a new Club Car Precedent on order. If buying gas, based on everything I have read here, would have gone with a Yamaha. We do lose some speed on hills with the Club Car DS, but we are rarely in a huge hurry anyway and are probably talking about adding a couple of minutes overall to travel time.

[golfnut]

I agree with Ohiogirl, the speed lost on the occaisonal hill with an electric cart probably adds 2 minutes to a trip....gn

[red tail]

i'm with russ, 19.6 or 20.0, neither will get you a second look, why nit pick. downeaster, 42 miles on one charge is excellent, my experience is about 25 miles before the yellow light on my CC comes on. Quote jebartle "As a courtesy to cars, we usually will move to cart path but return to street" If you feel the need to be courteous to cars why would you buy an LSV, also I'd like to know how many LSV owners have paid $50 reg fee and $101 annual insurance.....gn

is there an underlying reason why you are so adamant against lsv's?

[ljones190]

ljones, i think you should base your decision on real life experience as opposed to postings on a website which can be helpful but shouldn't be your only source. I think you can rent both gas and electric and then make your own decision, try grandma and grandpas, not sure of the spelling but i think someone will correct me.....gn

Golfnut

Thanks for your comments but we already use Grandma's and Grandpa's for rentals, in fact Scott is delivering a cart for our use Nov 5th for a short trip. We have rented both but most people have told me to go with gas because of the range. I do not think I would ever need more then 25-30 miles in a day so I think I will go with no smell and less noise.

[golfnut]

red tail, I'm not adamant against LSV's, just don't see the need to spend the extra $, and put yourself in harms way. ljones, I'm with u no smell and much less noise, we have to electric golf carts....gn

[GatorFan]

Jebarte--not disputing your Safeco policy, but it sounds like you have a golf cart policy instead of the required auto insurance for your LSV. Check your policy and make sure you have personal injury protection. If not, you have the wrong policy and may not have the required coverage by law.

[elevatorman]

We went from Duval to Walnut Grove today for golf, played 9 and then to TGI Fridays for lunch. This included all the detours for the golf trail replacement. We had no problem. In fact we then went to Sonny's for a drink, and then home to Duval. Lost no speed for the uphills on the entire trip. I got my EZ-GO RXV from Town and Country. T&C told me on my last visit that my longest trip was 63 miles between charges. I have never felt like I needed a charge in mid trip. Talk to T&C before buying and drive an EZ-GO RXV. Also save $2000.00 over a gas Yamaha.

[dwbevan]

Russ is one of the most helpful and most respected posters on TOTV and is loved by most of the nearly 15,000 posters on TOTV. HE IS ALSO MY NEIGHBOR. It is not fair to nit pick his references and estimates.

Ditto, Tom. I almost always read Russ's posts. He qualifies his statements if he is not sure AND offers a lot of researched information with the links.

I hope to meet him and Tom someday as a newbie to the Village of Buttonwood. This thread will be helpful as we search for our new golf carts.

[EdV]

....And a number of people that post a lot don't even live in The Villages. Too funny!

Careful, one of those people is Talk Host.