Venom EV carts? Evolution height listed as over 83". So many questions...
 

We have a newer loaded Yamaha but we are seriously considering selling it and going electric. Our friends have a Star, but they are very expensive.

We happened upon a Venom EV sales place that the business is actually currently in a storage building. We were looking for an Evolution dealership but it sent us to these guys. Very nice guys and a lot for the money on the carts. Apparently Chinese parts assembled in Wisconsin.

Wondering if anyone has experience with them? The only deal breaker we found so far is the turn signals aren't self canceling. The steering seemed a bit hard. Not sure if that's true of most 4 seaters, but I was concerned about turning into 90 degree tunnel turns without any power steering on it. We could likely sell our Yamaha and afford a loaded Venom with the money.

It also seems 205 aH batteries are hard to find these days so they are using 160. Someone mentioned Evolution doesn't have the 205 either right now. Evolution height is now listed at over 83". It's hard to find a dealer as the website wants all your info just to go look at one.

Not sure why any of your questions even matter to you. You discovered a deal-breaker. Move on and find another vehicle that offers what you absolutely must have.

Self-canceling signals are very nice though I almost always double check anyway - the mirrors on both my carts have indicators to show that the signals are flashing.

A lot of threads on here about electric carts. Most Evolution owners seem to like theirs (I have an EZ Go).

You should be able to find tunnel heights on districtgov.org or in one of the other threads. 83" is too high for the side of any tunnel and too high for the center on at least two of the tunnels. You may not ever use those tunnels or there might be a way around those tunnels but it is something to consider.

I believe my cart has a 160Ah battery. I easily get a range of 45 miles and I expect I will get 60 miles. From where I live I never drive that far; I had to map out a special route to get even the 45 miles.

I guess I meant certain items were likely deal breakers. Anyhow, we just checked out the evolution and put an order in for one. The height is fine. The one online was a lifted one. The dealer cuts 2 inches off of the poles so that the height isn’t too high the evolution also has self canceling signals. The Evolution also drove much nicer and was way easier to steer.

Ask this person or buy this one?
Evolution lithium electric cart | Talk of the Villages

Important question does it fit in your garage?

Yes plenty of room. Not much longer than a 2 seater.

Too High
 

The cart is too tall. It wouldn’t clear most tunnels.

I got my Evolution D5 Ranger from Botero Carts in Ocala. Great folks to deal with! I had them swap out the 14" tires for 12" tires, and you can lower the rear of the cart (that is the highest point) by 2 1/2". Doing both will bring the cart down to nearly the height of the Yamaha and you will have no issues with any of the tunnels.

If you get out of TV dealerships you have many more options for an electric cart. Recently I found a brand new built in the USA electric cart from a company in Knoxville. Loaded $5,999 four seat with everything in it but built in navigation. Copeland is the company. Yup 1/3 TV prices and built here. Worth considering

Tunnel Heights in TV
 

Evolution dealer is on east side of 301 just north of the Turnpike. I have D5 Ranger 4 Forward seater. Love it.

We bought our Evolution from Hidden Creek Golf Carts, this is their new location, so far they've been great to deal with. In fact, their service is better than their low prices. The cart performs very well and range is not an issue at all. We have not modified our height at all and we cant find a tunnel that's close, I understand from PoolBrews there are a couple up by the polo fields but we have not run across them yet. The Villages site that lists tunnel heights will point out the short ones but its a little difficult to tell how you might fit as they list center and side wall height, had to know how the ceiling slopes without being there.

We've only had ours for about a year and a half so its hard to say how the quality will stand over time, so far really well. We paid about half the price of a Yamaha or Star with similar equipment.

…..actually I think you found many reasons to avoid them already. No???

I have a friend that loves their Venom cart.
I know several people with Evolutions who like them, but they have all had problems.

Please repost in a couple of years and tell us how you like your evolution. I hear all the pros and cons about the new carts, I'm curious how you feel in a couple of years.

Check Custom Drives C2, C4’s. My friend has a C2, 210 battery standard. Not sure about self cancellation signals though.

On US27/441 next to Aldis.

We have a STAR electric Golf Cart and love it. It has been very reliable and we have traveled over 75 miles on a full charge using its 8 batteries. I've grown used to manually turning off the turn signals, and don't find the steering hard to turn with fully inflated tires . . . Some people run their carts with lower tire pressures to make the ride smoother.

Just bought a cart from JB golf carts from their Ocala location, they also are in Lady Lake ,but the owner Jarett is in Ocala and thee absolute best person to deal with. I shopped at Botero, Bradleys, Hidden Creek, Village Discount and GEM and the ABSOLUTE best people is the family owned JB. Fully loaded lithium 2025 $10,500 and its also street legal.

Just stay with gas.

Evolution ev
 

Call Todd at The Golf Cart Company, Eustis FL 407. 557.2775 We just purchased a 4 seater Evolution EV Golf Cart from him.. This is our 2nd EV Evolution, we still have our 2 seater !! We LOVE these carts!! Todd is amazing and a Village resident

We love our Evolution EV golf carts, YES CARTS !! we just purchased a 4 seat front facing Evolution from Todd at The Golf Cart Company, Eusitis, FL 407.557-2775. Todd is AWESOME and a Village resident We have had our 2 seater Evolution for 3 years now and decided to add a 4 seater for guests and outing with friends. Give Todd a call, you will be happy you did. Best Irene :-)

Yes by all means go with gas which smells better than electrons turning your motor. And have the convenience of waiting in line at a gas station. Plugging in an Electric golf cart every other day is so inconvenient (I hate that). And E golf carts have such fast initial acceleration that it scares me. And E carts have fewer moving parts so I don't get to see my serviceman as much as with the Gas Golf Cart. And I like their fancy showroom and GREAT coffee. And I like the LOUDER noise of the Gas Golf Cart so that I can torture my neighbor that I don't like. Yes, and Gas, gas is the best, go gas because the fuel and the exhaust smell like perfume.

Venom EV carts (Excellent)
 

As an owner of a Venom EV 2 seater I have been all over The Villages no tunnel issues. I bought this in October with a 206ah battery, I get 60-75miles. (Like any EV Battery Size and Speed is the key)

After seeing the article yesterday I did some research and spoke with the Venom EV dealer in the villages.

Here is some detail:
Adventure EV is the local Venom golf cart dealer in The Villages. They offer a few different models of carts but their new Venom Stealth is a four seat forward model that measures 77 inches in height with a 160amp lithium battery.
I own their 2-seater course cart and it is even lower at 74 inches.

All of their carts fit under the tunnels in The Villages.
Batteries: Some of their 2024 four passenger carts have the 200amp lithium batteries. I hear that the reason for the shift to the 160amp batteries is due to the new tariffs, so the company switched to an American brand, Eco-battery with a longer warranty.
They are located at 4707 county road 156, Unit 402, Wildwood Fl 34785
If you want to check them out. (off hwy44 & Signature Road)

Or you can call their owner, Robert, at 407-538-0240, he's always happy to answer questions.

Before selecting Adventure EV dealer Venom EV cart, I visited all EV dealers including Evolution, Icon, Starr at their local dealers.

Any Lithium EV cart is a great choice. I just liked the Package accessories and looks of the Venom EV. :coolsmiley:

:agree::agree::agree::agree::BigApplause::BigAppla use:

For steering add a 'deadman steering knob'. Makes turns so much easier.

I have the Evolution D5 Ranger with the 205ah battery. My last two carts were Yamaha Drive 2. This is the best cart I have ever owned. Better ride, more features, and a LOT less money.

The height issue is easily remedied. You have two options:

1) You can go with smaller tires. Standard are 14" tires - you can go with 12" or 10"
2) You can lower the rear of the cart by simply cutting the rear supports and lowering the roof. This lowers the cart by as much as 2.5". (Rear is taller than front). The dealer can do this for you.

I did both of these on my cart. I have 12" (215/40r12) tires (dealer swapped at no charge), and I lowered my roof by 2.25". My cart is now nearly the same height as a Yamaha.

If you're going to lower the roof, do it before you get your rain enclosure installed.

I'm coming up on 4,000 miles, and love it!

Our cart is in. We got it from Hidden Creek. We are part time. Doing a video walk around on Friday. We did have the roof lowered 2” at the rear. I won’t get to try it out until March 10 when I get back there. I will report back.

Re: Evolution and the 205 battery - try Botero carts in Ocala. We bought two carts with the 205s last Friday no problem. They will also lower the top 2" so they fit through all the tunnels. The turn signals are self canceling.

Hidden Creek Golf Carts tried telling steering us away from the 205 right now as well - which I suspect is more a function of what they have in inventory.

We are taking delivery in early April when we move in to our new home.

Just an FYI - lowering the roof in the rear 2" will let you make it through the tunnels, but it will be uncomfortably close on the two tunnels in the north end. Driving carefully, you'll clear by less than 1/4".

You'll most likely still scrape on the side once in while in those tunnels - especially Saddlebrook going south to north - the turn is too tight. Swapping out to smaller tires eliminates the worry, giving you a full 2+" of clearance.

Another benefit of smaller tires is increased range. For every 4" reduction in diameter you gain 10% range.

The Evolution Maverick is the one with a lift kit the dealer can shorten the roof so it would fit. Best bet by the Ranger D5 it doesn't have the lift kit and fits in any Villages tunnels if you don't come through on an 45 angle. Turn the wheel a little and do a 90 degree, that way you won't take off someone's front end.

Our cart came in and will be delivered in 2 weeks (when I will be down there). We did have the roof cut 2" and it is the Ranger. We are very excited to try it out. I will be careful if I go up north but that is few and far between. We go to Sumter regularly but not much further. But a trip here or there to the Polo fields is not out of the question. The roof seem like it's just plastic. Hopefully I won't scrape but if I do it probably won't be the end of the world.