The current golf cart market is roughly split between older lead-acid batteries and the emerging lithium golf cart batteries. While most people are accustomed to 6V or 8V lead-acid battery packs, lithium batteries are rapidly gaining popularity due to their convenience and durability.
Choosing the right battery depends not only on your budget but also on how you plan to use the cart-whether as a daily tool on the golf course or as a personal transportation vehicle.
Next, we will provide a detailed comparison of batteries with different voltages and materials to help you determine which option is best suited for your golf cart.
What Type of Battery Is Commonly Used in Golf Carts?
At present, golf carts mainly use two types of batteries: deep-cycle lead-acid batteries and lithium batteries, especially lithium iron phosphate batteries. In the past, flooded lead-acid batteries were the most common choice for golf carts because of their low upfront cost and mature technology.
However, they require regular water maintenance and are relatively heavy. In recent years, lithium iron phosphate batteries have rapidly become the mainstream option.
Although they are more expensive, they offer clear advantages such as maintenance-free operation, lighter weight that improves speed and handling, faster charging, and a much longer service life, often more than five times that of lead-acid batteries. In addition, AGM sealed lead-acid batteries fall between these two options. They are maintenance-free lead-acid batteries and are also used in some golf carts.
Are Golf Cart Batteries Lead-Acid or Lithium?
Golf carts use both lead-acid batteries and lithium batteries, and the industry is currently in a transition from the former to the latter.
Many of the golf carts we used in the past relied on deep-cycle lead-acid batteries, including standard batteries that require water maintenance and maintenance-free AGM batteries. Their biggest advantages are mature technology and a very low initial purchase cost.
However, in recent years, lithium batteries, mainly lithium iron phosphate batteries, have become the mainstream due to their significant performance benefits. Lithium batteries typically weigh only one-quarter to one-third as much as lead-acid batteries, greatly reducing the weight of the cart, while offering much faster charging and a lifespan that is five to ten times longer than that of lead-acid batteries.
Although the initial purchase price of lithium batteries is higher, considering their maintenance-free operation and longer replacement cycle, their overall long-term cost is generally lower.
Why Do Most Golf Carts Use 6V or 8V Batteries Instead of 12V?
The main reason golf carts use 6V or 8V batteries instead of standard 12V batteries is to achieve better range and durability. Because the battery compartment of a golf cart has limited space, the plates inside a single 6V or 8V battery can be made thicker and more numerous within the same space, which directly increases the battery's amp-hour capacity.
Think of the batteries as water tanks: although four 12V batteries and six 8V batteries both ultimately provide 48V, the tank formed by six 8V batteries holds more water and stores more energy, allowing the cart to travel farther on a single charge.
With thicker plates, these batteries are also more resilient to frequent deep discharge cycles, giving them a longer overall lifespan. For this reason, golf courses that prioritize stable performance typically choose this low-voltage, high-capacity configuration.
How Many Batteries Does a Golf Cart Typically Need?
Golf carts typically require four, six, or eight batteries, depending entirely on the vehicle's designed total voltage and the voltage of each individual battery.
The most common configurations are as follows: a 36V system usually consists of six 6V batteries; a 48V system, which is currently the most popular, typically uses six 8V batteries, or four 12V batteries to save space, while models designed for extended range may even use eight 6V batteries.
Golf cart battery manufacturers achieve the motor's required total voltage by connecting different numbers of batteries in series. Generally, the more batteries used or the thicker the plates in each battery, the greater the vehicle's range and climbing power. If you plan to switch to lithium batteries, the situation is different, as a single integrated lithium battery pack containing multiple cells can usually replace the entire set of heavy lead-acid batteries.
What Is a GC2 Golf Cart Battery?
GC2 is not a specific brand but a standard battery size code established by the Battery Council International. It is the most commonly used battery specification in the golf cart industry.
Batteries labeled as GC2 typically have dimensions of approximately 260mm in length, 180mm in width, and 280mm in height. The significance of this standardization is that whether you purchase a battery from Trojan, Exide, or any other brand, as long as it meets the GC2 specifications, it will fit perfectly into most golf cart battery compartments without the need for modifying the mounting brackets.
While the vast majority of GC2 batteries are 6V deep-cycle lead-acid batteries, technological advances have made it possible to find lithium batteries in the same GC2 dimensions with voltages of 8V, 12V, or even 48V. This allows users to easily upgrade to a lithium battery while maintaining the original battery placement.
Can You Replace Lead-Acid Golf Cart Batteries with Lithium?
Yes, you can absolutely replace them, and this has become the most popular upgrade for golf carts today.
Replacing lead-acid batteries with lithium batteries-specifically Lithium Iron Phosphate or LiFePO4-offers significant advantages.
First is the substantial weight reduction, as lithium batteries are 100 to 150 kilograms lighter, which noticeably improves speed, climbing power, and braking sensitivity.
Second is that they are maintenance-free, meaning you no longer need to check water levels or clean acid corrosion. Furthermore, they have an extremely long lifespan, typically lasting 8 to 10 years, which is more than five times longer than lead-acid batteries.
Additionally, lithium batteries support fast charging and partial charging without memory effects, and they maintain strong power until the battery is fully depleted, unlike lead-acid batteries that cause the cart to slow down as the charge drops.
When performing this upgrade, you should keep the following points in mind:
- Voltage Matching: Ensure the total voltage of the lithium battery system matches your cart's motor system, such as 36V or 48V.
- Dedicated Charger: You must use a lithium-specific charger. Never use your original lead-acid charger as it can damage the battery or create safety hazards.
- Installation Fitting: Although many drop-in lithium batteries are available, they are much smaller than lead-acid ones, so you may need extra brackets or spacers to secure them in the battery tray.
How Long Do Golf Cart Batteries Usually Last?
The typical lifespan of a lead-acid battery is between two and five years. For fleets used frequently on golf courses, this lifespan usually shortens to three to four years. However, for private owners who maintain their batteries carefully, keeping them fully charged and regularly adding distilled water, the lifespan can be extended to six years or even ten years.
In comparison, lithium batteries offer a clear advantage in longevity, typically providing stable performance for eight to ten years, with some high-end models lasting up to twenty years. This is mainly because lithium batteries can withstand thousands of charge and discharge cycles and are not as easily affected by poor maintenance or chemical degradation like lead-acid batteries.
Conclusion
The golf cart battery industry is currently transitioning from deep-cycle lead-acid batteries to high-performance lithium batteries. Although 6V, 8V, and 12V lead-acid batteries still hold a portion of the market due to their mature technology and lower upfront cost, lithium iron phosphate batteries have become the mainstream choice for improving performance.
Lithium batteries offer advantages such as lighter weight, longer lifespan, and the complete elimination of regular water maintenance required by lead-acid batteries, making them clearly more competitive in practical use.
If you want to learn more about the compatibility of lithium iron phosphate batteries for retrofitting older carts or compare the cost-effectiveness of different lithium battery brands, feel free to contact Copow. We will respond within 12 hours.
