Electric or petrol golf cart: which one for a South African estate, farm or lodge?

The question we get most on WhatsApp. The honest answer depends on three things: how far the cart travels in a day, whether there is a plug where it parks, and who drives it.

Choose electric when

• The cart parks somewhere with power every night. Estates, golf courses, retirement villages and resorts almost always do.
• Noise matters. Security patrols at 2am and guest shuttles are quieter on electric.
• Running cost matters more than purchase price. A lithium cart costs a few rand a day to charge and has no oil, filters or plugs to service.

Within electric, lithium (Club Car Tempo Lithium, E-Z-GO ELiTE, Edge Vortex) charges in a few hours, needs no watering, and typically lasts 8 to 10 years. Lead-acid packs (Trojan 8V sets) cost less up front but need topping up, take overnight to charge and are usually replaced after 4 to 6 years. If the cart does two shifts a day, lithium pays for itself.

Choose petrol when

• There is no reliable power where the cart lives, or load-shedding would strand it.
• It works long days or hilly ground: game lodges, farms, large wine estates.
• You want to refuel in a minute and carry on. Kawasaki and Yamaha EFI engines on E-Z-GO and Yamaha carts are the common choices.

Seats, lift and tyres

Two-seaters suit courses and patrols. Four-seaters (a rear flip seat that becomes a cargo deck) are the all-rounder. Six-seaters are for shuttles and lodges. A lift kit with all-terrain tyres is worth it on gravel and farm tracks and a waste of money on paved estate roads.

What to check on a used cart

Battery age and type, charger included, tyre wear, brakes, canopy and windshield, and whether the controller has been upgraded. Our listings state all of this where we have it; ask for a walk-around video of the exact unit before you buy.

Browse electric golf carts and petrol golf carts in stock now, or send a ref and your town for a delivered price.