The trend of electric golf carts is growing in popularity. These small vehicles rely on lithium batteries for energy and working. However, it is a myth that golf cart batteries do not last longer and require regular replacement. This confuses laymen planning to buy electric golf carts. So, this brings a question: How long does a lithium golf cart battery last?
The lithium battery used in golf cars can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years. This variation in the lifespan is due to how the batteries are used. In simple terms, a golf cart lithium battery offers a charge cycle of 3500-5000. On average, these batteries remain in good condition for over 12 years.
The lasting effect of a lithium battery depends on the charge cycle. How often you charge and discharge the battery defines the life of the golf cart battery. Are you planning to buy an electric golf cart? You must read this article as I’ll explain everything about the golf cart batteries and their overall performance. So, let’s begin!
What is a Lithium Golf Cart Battery?
Lithium batteries come in different types, and almost all use lithium-ion technology. However, the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries are mainly used in golf carts.
LiFePO₄ batteries offer higher energy density and are excellent for powering the golf cart motor. Their cathode is made of lithium iron phosphate, and the anode is of graphite. The lithium-ion battery powers the golf cart by moving between these electrodes. Lithium salts are used as electrolytes in this type of lithium battery.
Are you wondering why LiFePO₄ batteries are used in golf carts? One of the primary reasons for their usability is their lightweight design. The counterpart lead-acid batteries are much heavier and can make the golf cart less efficient. Additionally, LiFePO₄ batteries require literally no maintenance or regular checks. It means that you won’t have to spend anything on upkeep of these lithium batteries.
Remember, the golf carts are small vehicles that require consistent power. If the voltage is inconsistent, it would affect the power delivery to the golf cart’s motor. However, LiFePO₄ batteries maintain a steady voltage regardless of charging level. It means they can keep the golf cart running even when their charging is very high.
How Long Does a Lithium Golf Cart Battery Last?
That’s our primary question – and the lifespan of the golf cart battery can vary widely.
As I mentioned earlier, the golf cart battery can have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. If you take good care of them, these batteries can last up to 20 years. Most battery brands claim their batteries last over 20 years. But that’s only possible when you keep the golf cart battery under strict care.
Remember, LiFePO4 battery offers a total of 3500 to 5000 charge cycles. Imagine you drive your golf car daily for a few hours. In such a case, your battery will discharge multiple times a day. Right? In such a case, the battery’s lifespan decreases, i.e., below 8 years. On the other hand, you’re a person who uses a golf cart once a week. Right?
In such a case, your golf cart battery won’t undergo daily charging and discharging. As a result, you’ll consume fewer charge cycles. It means you’ll have to use the battery for a long time before the 3500-5000 charge cycles end. Remember, LiFePO₄ batteries are used in golf cart vehicles. These batteries are based on advanced technology and offer excellent performance.
The lifespan of these lithium batteries is around 10 to 15 years. However, how you deal with them defines their longevity and performance in golf cars. According to my personal experience, you should expect its lifespan to be around 10 to 12 years. That’s what the golf cart users agree with.
Factors that Influence the Lifespan of Golf Cart Batteries
As I said earlier, LiFePO₄ batteries used in golf carts can last over 16 years. But why do some golf cart batteries start to malfunction after 5 to 6 years? That’s because of human errors in handling these lithium batteries. In the section below, I’ll explain the factors that affect the lifespan of golf cart batteries.
Want to increase the lifespan of your lithium batteries? I highly recommend paying heed to the factors that I explain below.
1- Extent of Use
Do you use your golf cart more often and aggressively? Remember, the more you use the battery continuously, the less it will last, and vice versa. Why? The reason is that golf cart batteries remain under stress when the golf cart runs for long periods without break. As a result, the batteries start to lose their capacity. Therefore, you should rest your golf cart after continuous use for an hour.
This is the best approach to enhance the lifespan of your lithium battery. Additionally, you should not press the accelerator harshly or aggressively. A sudden push on the accelerator increases the battery’s power output to the motor. The battery provides sudden higher power to the motor, but this isn’t suitable for the battery’s lifespan. Instead, increase the speed gradually and smoothly for optimal battery performance.
2- Charging & Discharging Extent
This is a very important factor that influences the lasting effect of golf cart batteries. Do you charge the lithium battery to 100% or discharge it to 0%? If so, your battery will start to malfunction and won’t last as long. Why? When you charge or discharge the battery to its extreme, it puts its components under stress.
For example, when fully charged, the LiFePO₄ battery stores more energy. As a result, the internal parts will remain stressed. Similarly, at 0%, the battery components — cells and electrodes —are under stress. As a result, the charge-holding capacity of the lithium battery goes down. As a result, batteries become less valuable, limiting a golf car’s run time.
Quick Highlight: I recommend charging the golf cart battery (LiFePO₄) to 85-90%. Similarly, during discharging, it should not go below 25%. When you see the charging is below 25%, you should consider charging it. This will ensure the components of the golf cart battery remain under no pressure and perform better.
3- Types of Chargers You Use
The electric golf carts come with a dedicated charger. This charger is designed to charge lithium batteries without causing overcharging or overheating. How? This charger can control both current and voltage. It ensures it stops charging when the lithium battery is fully charged. As a result, it prevents the golf cart battery from overheating.
But sometimes people charge their golf cart battery with unspecified chargers. These chargers are cheap and have no current or voltage controllers. As a result, they keep charging the battery, which causes overheating. When the battery overheats, it affects its longevity and overall lifespan. You should never use a random charger to charge your golf cart battery.
4- Extreme Temperatures & Storage Place
You should never keep your battery in extreme temperatures. If the temperature is too high, the golf cart battery can degrade and become less efficient. Similarly, at too low a temperature, the reaction in the lithium battery can slow. These issues can be avoided by charging and using the battery at a moderate temperature.
Remember, extreme temperatures have a massive impact on the longevity of golf cart batteries. Batteries that remain exposed to extreme temperatures last less than 8 years. Additionally, when not in use, you should store the golf cart battery properly. I recommend storing your golf cart batteries at room temperature and giving them optimal ventilation.
5- Charging Speed & Regular Checks
You should never charge a golf cart battery with fast charging unless it is specified for it. There are chargers on the market that offer rapid charging. People use these batteries to charge their golf cart batteries quickly. This is wrong, as fast charging can damage the battery if it does not support it.
Fast charging can cause overheating issues in the golf cart batteries. If you use a fast charger daily, it will shorten your battery’s lifespan. Additionally, I highly recommend regularly monitoring lithium batteries. This ensures the terminals of the golf cart battery do not corrode. These are small things, but they can largely affect the longevity and performance of golf cart batteries.
How Long Do Golf Cart Lithium Batteries Last on One Charge?
Remember, lasting can refer to two different aspects. It can either represent the lifespan of a battery or its runtime on a single charge.
Lithium batteries for golf carts can last 30 to 40 miles on a single charge. However, this duration can vary depending on the size of the lithium battery used. Additionally, the battery runtime can be longer if the golf cart has fewer passengers. On average, you should expect to drive 35 miles on a single charge.
As I said earlier, golf carts generally come with lithium batteries (LiFePO₄). These lithium phosphate batteries fall into two main types. Those include:
- 36V lithium battery
- 48V lithium battery
The battery with a higher specified voltage offers longer runtime per charge. For example, 36V lithium batteries can drive the golf cart up to 35 miles. On the other hand, a 48V lithium battery can power it for more than 45 miles. Remember, your driving style and the conditions in which you drive a golf cart also determine the battery’s lifespan.
Want to get more runtime from your golf cart battery? If so, I recommend driving your golf cart at a moderate speed. You should avoid challenging terrain where golf carts require more power to move. Remember, the heavier the load, the more power the golf cart motor will need. This will quickly drain the lithium battery. Ideally, you should take 2 passengers with you to maximize your mileage.
Conclusion
I know that golf carts are expensive – so is the lithium battery used in this vehicle. Right? It makes checking the battery’s lifespan crucial. Almost all the modern golf carts come with LiFePO4 batteries. These are based on lithium-ion technology and offer excellent longevity in these vehicles.
You should expect a lifespan of around 10 to 15 years from a golf cart. When it comes to performance and runtime, the golf cart batteries don’t lag. With a single charge, you’ll be able to drive your golf cart for over 35 miles. In this article, I’ve also discussed some factors that can reduce the lifespan of your golf cart battery.