Electric vs. Gas Golf Carts: Costs, Range and Upkeep Compared

The electric vs gas golf cart question comes down to how far you drive, where you park it, and how much upkeep you want to do. Neither type is cheaper in every case. Here's how they compare on price, range, running costs, and maintenance, using numbers straight from manufacturers where we could find them.

Electric vs gas golf cart: the short version

Top speed is usually not a deciding factor. Club Car, for example, lists the same 19 mph top speed for its gas, lead-acid, and lithium Onward 2 Passenger models.

Purchase price

New prices overlap more than people expect. When we checked Yamaha's site in October 2026, the Drive2 PTV listed starting MSRPs of $9,899 for the gas QuieTech EFI, $10,549 for the electric PowerTech AC, and $14,020 for the lithium PowerTech Li. Those prices exclude tax, registration, destination, and dealer options, and they change, so treat them as a snapshot.

That's a common pattern: gas and standard electric versions of the same model are often priced close together, while lithium versions cost more up front. On the used market, battery age matters a lot. A cheap electric cart with tired batteries may need a new set right away. For a full price breakdown, see how much a golf cart costs, or compare new cart prices side by side.

Range: how far each one goes

Electric range depends on battery type, battery age, hills, passengers, tire size, and how you drive. Club Car is one of the few brands that publishes estimates. For the Onward 2 Passenger, it lists:

• Flooded lead-acid: 30–50 miles in the first year, 10–15 miles after four years
• Lithium-ion (4.0 kWh): 25–40 miles in the first year, 20–35 miles after four years
• Extended-range lithium (7.0 kWh): 45–60 miles in the first year, 40–55 miles after four years

Club Car notes that range depends on operating conditions. The four-year numbers are the real story: lead-acid batteries lose much more range as they age than lithium does. Our lithium vs. lead-acid battery guide covers that trade-off in detail.

Gas carts are rarely given a range rating. Instead, manufacturers list tank size, such as 5.6 gallons on the Club Car Onward and 5.96 gallons on the E-Z-GO Express 4. In practice, a full tank covers far more miles than a single charge, and you can top up in a couple of minutes. If you drive a large property, run errands across a big community, or use the cart for work, that matters.

Running costs: electricity vs. gasoline

Charging an electric cart is usually cheap. A rough way to estimate a full charge: take the battery size in kilowatt-hours (for example, 4.0 or 7.0 kWh on the Club Car lithium packs), add a bit for charging losses, and multiply by your utility's rate per kWh. Rates vary widely by state and season, so check your bill.

For gas, the math is gallons used times local fuel prices. Most cart owners drive short trips, so fuel spending is modest either way. The bigger cost differences show up in maintenance and batteries.

Maintenance and upkeep

Gas carts

A gas cart has a small engine, so it needs engine care: oil and oil filter changes, air and fuel filters, spark plugs, and drive belt checks. Follow the owner's manual schedule. Each service is usually inexpensive, but it adds up, and you'll either do it yourself or pay a shop.

Electric carts with lead-acid batteries

No oil, no spark plugs, no fuel system. The main chore is the batteries. Trojan Battery's guidance for flooded lead-acid batteries includes:

• Add distilled water only, and never overfill.
• Top up to the correct level after a full charge.
• Keep the tops clean and dry, and clean terminal corrosion with a baking soda and water solution.
• Keep batteries fully charged, including during storage.

Skipping watering is one of the most common ways people shorten battery life.

Electric carts with lithium batteries

Lithium packs don't need watering. E-Z-GO, for example, describes the lithium batteries in its new Liberty as requiring no maintenance. You still need to keep the cart charged and use the correct charger.

The battery replacement question

Every electric cart eventually needs new batteries, and it's the largest single cost of ownership. Prices vary with battery type, voltage, and brand, and lithium packs can cost much more than a lead-acid set. When you buy used, ask for the battery install date and type, and factor a replacement into your offer if the batteries are old.

Storage and seasonal use

If the cart will sit for months, for example while you're away from a winter home, this can tip the decision. A gas cart can be stored with stabilizer in the fuel. An electric cart's batteries need to stay charged, and lead-acid batteries left discharged for long periods can be damaged. Some owners use a maintainer or arrange for someone to charge the cart while they're gone.

Which should you choose?

Electric usually makes sense if:

• Most trips are short, inside a community or neighborhood
• You want a quiet cart with no fumes in the garage
• You'd rather plug in than maintain an engine

Gas usually makes sense if:

• You need long range or drive hilly, rough ground
• The cart sits for long stretches between uses
• You don't have a convenient place to charge

Also check your HOA or community rules. Some limit gas carts or fuel storage. Once you've decided, browse electric and gas golf carts for sale and filter by power type.

Frequently asked questions

Is an electric or gas golf cart cheaper to own?

It depends on how you use it. Electric carts skip oil changes, filters, and spark plugs, but battery replacement is a big periodic cost, especially with lead-acid. Gas carts cost less up front in some lineups and go farther per fill-up, but need regular engine service. Compare the full cost over the years you plan to keep the cart.

How far can an electric golf cart go on one charge?

It varies with battery type, battery age, terrain, load, and speed. As one example, Club Car estimates 30 to 50 miles for a new lead-acid Onward 2 Passenger and 45 to 60 miles for its extended-range lithium version, with lower numbers after four years.

Are gas golf carts faster than electric?

Not necessarily. Standard personal golf carts from major brands are typically limited to about 19 mph whether gas or electric. Street-legal LSVs can go up to 25 mph.

Which is better for a retirement community?

Many communities favor electric carts because they're quiet and produce no exhaust, and most daily trips are short. Some HOAs have rules on noise or gas storage, so check yours before buying.

Sources

• Club Car: Onward 2 Passenger specifications
• Yamaha Golf Car: Drive2 PTV models and pricing
• E-Z-GO: Express 4 specifications
• E-Z-GO press release: Liberty for the 2027 model year
• Trojan Battery: How to maintain your flooded lead-acid battery
• Jalopnik: Gas vs. electric golf carts