Should you get an electric or gas golf cart? This is the first big choice when you shop for a cart. Both work well, but one may be better for you. Masters Golf Cars in Belleview sells Club Car, Yamaha, EZ-GO, and Advanced EV carts in both types. We help folks in The Villages, Ocala, Marion County, and Sumter County pick the right one every day. Here is what you need to know.
Quick Look at Both Types
| What Matters | Electric | Gas |
|---|---|---|
| Price to Buy | Medium to High | Medium to Very High |
| Cost to Run | Low (plug in) | Higher (buy gas) |
| Upkeep | Less work | More work |
| How Far It Goes | 20-50 miles per charge | 100+ miles per tank |
| Noise | Very quiet | Engine sound |
| Power | Good and steady | Very strong |
| Clean Air | No smoke | Has exhaust |
Electric Golf Carts
How Electric Carts Work
Electric golf carts run on batteries. You plug them in to charge, just like a phone. Most use lead-acid batteries, but many people now switch to lithium batteries. Lithium lasts longer and charges faster. Electric carts are very popular in The Villages, OTOW, Ocala Palms, and Oak Run.
Good Things About Electric Carts
- Cheap to run - A full charge costs about 50 cents to $1. Way less than gas
- Super quiet - Great for early morning rides to Spanish Springs or Brownwood
- No smoke or smell - Clean air on The Villages cart paths
- Less work to keep up - No oil to change or gas parts to fix
- Starts fast - Steps on the gas and goes right away
- Works indoors - No fumes means safe in big buildings
Things to Think About with Electric
- Can not go as far - 20-50 miles per charge, then you wait to charge
- Takes time to charge - Lead-acid needs 8-12 hours. Lithium needs 2-4 hours
- New batteries cost money - Lead-acid $800-$1,500 every 3-5 years. Lithium $3,000-$5,000 but lasts 8-10 years
- Hills can be hard - Basic electric carts may slow on steep hills
Gas Golf Carts
How Gas Carts Work
Gas golf carts have small engines like a lawn mower or ATV. You put in regular gas from any gas station on US-441 or SR-200. They are strong and can go a long way without stopping. Some folks in Marion County with big land or farms like gas carts.
Good Things About Gas Carts
- Goes very far - 100+ miles per tank. Fill up fast at any gas station
- Very strong - Climbs hills and rough ground with ease
- Always ready - No waiting to charge. Just fill up and go
- Often faster - Higher top speed than basic electric carts
- Good for heavy loads - Tow trailers or carry lots of stuff
- Same power all day - Does not slow down as the tank empties
Things to Think About with Gas
- Makes noise - Engine sound may bother neighbors in quiet communities
- Has exhaust - Smoke and smell that some people do not like
- Gas costs add up - Gas prices change and you pay more over time
- More upkeep - Oil changes, air filters, spark plugs, and fuel parts
- Some places do not allow them - OTOW, Ocala Palms, and some Villages areas prefer electric
Which One Is Best for You?
Pick Electric If You:
- Live in The Villages, OTOW, Ocala Palms, or Oak Run
- Drive less than 20 miles most days
- Can plug in overnight at home
- Want a quiet cart for early trips to Lake Sumter Landing
- Want to spend less on running your cart
- Do not want to deal with oil changes and engine work
- Care about clean air in your community
- Need to use the cart in a barn or big garage
Pick Gas If You:
- Drive long miles every day on a big Marion County property
- Have a farm or ranch with hills and rough ground
- Need lots of power to haul and tow things
- Can not wait hours for a charge between uses
- Want to pull a trailer or heavy gear
- Use your cart for hunting or work
- Live where no one minds engine noise
Cost Over 5 Years
Here is what you might spend over 5 years. Numbers are based on driving about 3,000 miles a year:
| Cost | Electric (Lead-Acid) | Electric (Lithium) | Gas |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buy the Cart | $8,000 | $10,000 | $9,000 |
| Fuel or Power (5 years) | $500 | $400 | $2,500 |
| Upkeep (5 years) | $500 | $300 | $1,500 |
| New Batteries | $1,200 | $0 | $0 |
| Total for 5 Years | $10,200 | $10,700 | $13,000 |
*These are average costs. Your costs depend on how much you drive, power prices in Marion County, and how you care for your cart.
What Masters Golf Cars Thinks
For most people in Ocala golf cart communities like OTOW, Ocala Palms, Oak Run, and Golden Ocala, electric carts are the way to go. For folks in The Villages, electric is almost always best. They are quiet, cost less to run, and keep the air clean.
But if you have a big property in rural Marion County, need to haul heavy loads, or go long miles every day, a gas cart might work better. Come talk to us at Masters Golf Cars on US-441 in Belleview. We will help you pick the right cart for your life.
Ready to Pick Your Cart?
Visit Masters Golf Cars on US-441 in Belleview. See both electric and gas Club Car, Yamaha, EZ-GO, and Advanced EV carts. We will help you find the right one.
Masters Golf Cars
Masters Golf Cars has served Central Florida since 1999. We sell, fix, and rent golf carts in The Villages, Ocala, Belleview, and all of Marion and Sumter County.