The debate between gas vs. electric vehicles seems to dominate the automobile industry. And it hasn’t been overlooked in golf carts either. Some people prefer electric golf carts, while others swear by gasoline. So which one is actually better?
General note: For newer golf carts, many manufacturers are moving away from gas-powered golf carts and producing lithium electric golf carts. At Diamond Golf Cars, our golf cart servicing covers both newer and older models, including discontinued 36V and older 48V models.
The Short Answer
Neither type is better across the board; it comes down to how you’ll use the cart. Gas carts win on range, which makes them the better pick if you need to drive 100+ miles between fill-ups or don’t have access to power. Electric carts, especially lithium models, win on quiet operation, low maintenance, and instant acceleration, which makes them better for daily neighborhood driving and anyone who’d rather plug in than pump gas.
Choose gas if you need 100-plus miles of range, or don’t have access to power.
Choose electric if you drive mostly around the neighborhood, want low maintenance and no fumes, value a quiet ride, or plan to make it street legal.
Gas vs. Electric Golf Carts at a Glance
| Factor | Gas | Electric (Lithium) |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Comparable, class for class | Comparable; lithium runs higher |
| Range | ~100–200 miles per tank | ~40–60+ miles per charge |
| Power, hills, hauling | Good | Best; better with higher-voltage packs |
| Maintenance | More (oil, fuel system) | Less (no oil, fewer moving parts) |
| Noise | Louder | Near-silent |
| Acceleration | Steady | Instant |
| Emissions/smell | Fumes and carbon output | Zero tailpipe emissions |
| Best for | Long-distance users | Daily neighborhood use, quiet, low upkeep |
What Is a Gas-Powered Golf Cart?
Gas golf carts run on a fuel-injected internal combustion engine. The engine burns a mixture of air and fuel to get the cart moving, much like most cars on the road.
The engine is smaller than a car’s, usually one or two cylinders, but the idea is the same: burn fuel, turn the wheels.
It’s a simple mechanical design that has stood the test of time.
What Is an Electric Golf Cart?
Electric golf carts run on an electric motor. The motor draws power from a battery pack, and today most new carts use lithium batteries, which last longer, weigh less, and charge faster than the older lead-acid packs they’re replacing.
It’s an elegant design with fewer moving parts.
That battery choice—lithium vs. lead-acid—is the real decision for most electric buyers today, and it affects range, lifespan, and price more than anything else. We’ll come back to it below.
Pros and Cons of Gas Golf Carts
Pros
- Better range. Depending on the make and model, you can go 100+ miles on a single tank.
- Don’t need power. Gas golf carts don’t need access to power.
Cons
- Fuel smell. The fuel combustion process creates fumes with a distinct odor. Some people aren’t fond of the smell of fuel.
- Louder. While newer gas models have become quieter over the years, they still produce more noise than their electric counterparts.
- Carbon footprint. Burning fossil fuels produces carbon emissions.
- Requires more maintenance. There are more mechanical parts that may require maintenance. You also need to change the fuel regularly.
- Harder to upgrade. You can make some adjustments to increase the top speed, but it’s a lot harder to upgrade.
- Vibrations and heat from the engine. Since the engine is located under the seat, you can feel its heat and vibrations.
Pros and Cons of Electric Golf Carts
Let’s get a brief overview of the pros and cons of electric golf carts.
Pros
- Quiet. The electric motor produces almost no noise. This makes electric carts perfect for rides around your neighborhood, even in the evening. These types of golf carts are also good for hunting (if you have powerful enough batteries).
- Easy to maintain. Fewer moving parts mean less maintenance.
- Instant acceleration. Electric motors deliver power the moment you press the pedal, which makes them feel quicker off the line than gas. Lithium is also far superior to gas in terms of power and when going uphill.
- Easier to upgrade. It’s easier to upgrade and make it a hunting or recreational vehicle.
Cons
- Shorter range than gas. A lithium cart typically covers 40–60+ miles on a charge, which is plenty for most owners but still short of a gas tank’s range. Gas allows you to drive 100+ miles on a full tank.
- Needs frequent charging. You might need to recharge your cart after every use if you don’t want any nasty surprises.
- You can’t leave it stationary for prolonged periods. If you leave your electric cart in the garage for extended periods, its performance takes a hit. They need to go out regularly.
- It doesn’t work well in extreme temperatures. Like most technologies with a battery as an energy source, electric golf carts don’t do well in extreme temperatures.
- No mechanical brake. They only have an electric brake, which sometimes fails. However, this is pretty rare.
As you can see, both types of carts have their pros and cons. It should be becoming clear that there’s no “one size fits all” solution here. A gas golf cart could be a better choice for some people, and an electric golf cart could be a better choice for others.
You need to figure out which one will best serve your particular needs. Let’s dive deeper into this:
Price Difference
The electric models in our shop vary in price, as with almost anything. The price depends on the engine (or motor), make, model, battery voltage, passenger capacity, and more.
It was once the consensus that gas-powered models were more expensive. However, with the advancement of battery technologies, electric carts have seen a bump in price.
Some of our most premium models are lithium-powered. Lithium batteries have a longer battery lifespan and offer a better range. You don’t need to change the batteries as frequently; however, their price reflects that perk (along with the overall quality of the vehicle and its parts).
Both gas and electric carts go for comparable prices when looking at the same class of options. But there’s more to owning a golf cart than just the initial purchase.
Gas-powered carts require gasoline to run. This means you’ll need to fill it up every once in a while (one tank lasts 100+ miles). While the small engine doesn’t burn fuel like a sports car V8 would, the cost still adds up over time. Pouring five to six gallons of gasoline every 200 miles can be substantial if you drive frequently.
With electric carts, you simply plug them in, and they start charging. Granted, your electricity bill will probably increase, but it’s not nearly as dramatic.
Finally, there are also maintenance costs to consider.
Lithium is the priciest option upfront, but it lasts longer and needs less attention over its life, so the gap narrows the longer you own the cart.
Golf Cart Maintenance Cost
As far as regular maintenance goes, gas carts typically require more. They need an oil change at least once a year (twice if the cart is in constant use). There are more moving parts, which means more things could go wrong.
You need to replace the battery every 7 to 8 years. However, it uses a single battery, and unlike electric carts, it’s much cheaper to replace. The fuel pump also requires attention from time to time to keep it running smoothly.
With electric motors, fewer things can go wrong. There aren’t that many mechanical components, so you won’t have to change the oil or worry about constant mechanical maintenance. With lead-acid batteries, you’ll check the water levels once a month. Lithium batteries skip even that.
That said, when things do go wrong, they’re usually much more expensive to repair. With electronics, “repairs” means replacing parts with new ones, and replacement parts can get steep.
Of course, the most expensive maintenance component is the rechargeable batteries. You need to change the cart’s batteries once every few years or longer, depending on how well you take care of them, how regularly you use your cart, and what type of batteries you use. Lithium is currently the best option, but also the most expensive upfront. However, lithium-powered vehicles eliminate virtually all maintenance costs associated with other golf carts.
All in all, when things run well, electric carts are cheaper to maintain, and there are fewer things to worry about (except for changing the batteries). However, if they break, they’re generally more expensive to repair.
Speed and Performance
If you’re looking for acceleration and top speed, then electric carts are the clear winner. The acceleration of the electric motor is near instantaneous. The top speed is also better out of the box and can be further improved with a bit of software tinkering. It’s also easier to make them street-legal (LSV), but that can vary widely depending on local city and municipal regulations.
Driving Range
The typical driving range on a single charge for electric carts is 40–60+ miles with lithium batteries, and lower with lead-acid packs.
This is usually more than enough range for the typical golf cart owner. However, bear in mind that this range does diminish with the age of the battery cells.
If you’re looking for a more serious range, then gas is the way to go. Not only can you make it 100+ miles on a single tank of gas, but you can also carry additional fuel in case the need arises. Obviously, these are highly specific circumstances, but the option is there.
Noise Difference
Electric motors win this one. While gas-powered carts have become much quieter in recent years, electric carts make almost no noise. If noise level is a concern, then electric is the preferred choice.
Pollution Levels
Electric carts take this one, too. With their zero carbon monoxide emissions, they leave no direct carbon footprint.
That being said, gas-powered carts aren’t too bad in terms of pollution, either. They run on traditional fuel; however, the amount of fuel they burn in their small engines isn’t great enough to be of serious concern. They produce carbon monoxide emissions, which still correlate to more pollution, just not on the scale of other transportation methods.
This said, there’s still the gas smell from the fumes, which irritates some people. If this is a concern, go electric.
Which Is the Better Option?
So which is better: gas or electric? It depends entirely on your situation and what you’re going to use it for.
Gas is great if you don’t have access to power or need to drive 100+ miles. If you want to drive your golf cart every day and don’t mind charging, then an electric is a great choice. For all that—plus extra power—you can always get bigger batteries.
Both choices have their pros and cons, but we hope we’ve given you enough perspective to choose whichever suits you best.
At Diamond Golf Cars, we carry both gas and electric carts from brands like Club Car, E-Z-GO, Atlas, Dach, Evolution, and StarEV — so whichever way you lean, we can match you to the right one.
Browse our electric and lithium carts or gas carts in the shop, or contact our team, and we’ll help you weigh it against how you’ll actually use the cart.
Not sure about street-legal rules where you drive? Our Alabama golf cart laws guide breaks it down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do gas or electric golf carts last longer?
A: Both last and hold up reasonably well. Electric carts’ batteries and electronic components can wear out with age and will eventually need replacing.
Q: Are lithium golf carts worth the extra cost?
A: For plenty of buyers, yes. Lithium batteries last longer, charge faster, weigh less, and need almost no upkeep compared to lead-acid. You pay more upfront, but you make much of it back in longer battery life and lower maintenance over the years you own the cart.
Q: Which is cheaper to maintain, gas or electric?
A: Electric is cheaper to maintain day to day. There’s no oil to change and far fewer moving parts. The trade-off is that when an electric part fails, replacing it can cost more than a typical gas repair, and batteries are a big recurring expense.
Q: Are electric golf carts good for hills?
A: Yes, electric golf carts are great for going uphill. Lithium has more power and is much easier when driving up hills compared to gas models.
Q: Which holds resale value better?
A: A well-maintained lithium electric cart holds its value well. Lead-acid models tend to depreciate faster, which is one more reason most buyers today choose lithium.