How would you enjoy driving with these luxuries at your fingertips? Powerful electric motors, gas engines that get nearly 50 miles to the gallon, USB charging ports, built-in GPS, leather interiors, independent front and rear suspension, and 17 exterior-color choices. Sounds nice, right? But these aren’t options for your next SUV, coupe, or minivan: They’re choices for your next golf car.
These days, it’s smart to think of golf cars just the way you think about automobiles. The loud, clunky, uncomfortable club-carriers of the past are fading fast and being replaced by high-tech wonders. Gas golf cars no longer wake the neighborhood and they’re almost as efficient as a Prius. Electric golf cars feature algorithmic charging and regenerative braking systems that rival the latest wizardry from Tesla.
Here’s a sample of what the top brands in the industry are displaying on their showroom floors:
Yamaha’s new Drive2 line offers a choice of a powerful electric model or a gas motor that achieves 48 miles-per-gallon. The gas model employs QuieTech technology that makes it nearly as quiet as its electric counterpart while putting out more power. Add in ride-smoothing independent rear suspension and it blows gas golf car stereotypes out of the water.
Club Car’s new electric charging system uses an algorithm to optimize charging cycles—preserving both power and battery life—while a regenerative braking system feeds power back into the batteries when stopping. The result of this combination is savings on running costs and technology that rivals high-end electric automobiles.
E-Z-Go’s new 2Five electric “personal transportation vehicle” is a golf car designed to serve your needs off the course, as well. To be what states define as “road legal,” it comes equipped with seat belts, rear view mirrors, head and tail lights, and turn signals. You’ll want all of it since the 2Five reaches a top speed of 25 miles-per-hour and can easily serve as a daily driver for those working or living within communities that allow golf cars on public streets.