With the PGA show here and spring just around the corner, you may be setting your sights on a new golf car or LSV(low-speed vehicle) for the upcoming season. Whether you’re a seasoned golf car owner or finally making the decision to purchase your first LSV, it can be a confusing task when there are so many details to consider: electric or gas, AC or DC, lithium or lead acid, lifted or non-lifted. Additionally, you need to consider all the fancy features now being introduced like touch screens, back up cameras, and apps, whoa! It’s a lot to process.
1. Golf Car & LSV Manufacturers History
My first suggestion would be to look at the manufacturer of the vehicle you are interested in. Are they well established? Will you have long-term support and customer service? Do they have a vehicle with the features and upgrades you like? The legacy companies like Club Car, EZGO and Yamaha have been around for over 50 years, and in Yamaha’s case, over 100 years. They are well established, have a far-reaching dealer network and offer great products. However, they are not always the best choice by default as they can be slow to bring new products to markets because of their size.
In comparison there are a lot of newcomers to the industry who have introduced new products to the market in the past 5 years. Some of these companies will fade out and some will have the staying power. These companies are usually introducing new things to grab attention like solar roofs, touchscreens, and cheap prices. The main issue with these companies is their lack of in-market experience and determining whether they will have the long-term customer service and support needed for you in the future.
Then there are those that land somewhere in the middle who have showcased that have staying power. These manufacturers have been in the industry for over 10 years, pride themselves in customer support, and are hungry to innovate and nip at the heels of the legacy companies.
Regardless of the age of the company, I encourage you to do your research because if the vehicle you purchase disappears from the marketplace, you will have a hard time finding parts and service down the road. A key indicator of a good manufacturer, beyond longevity in the industry, is that they are continually improving and developing their products by building on their past knowledge, as opposed to a manufacturer who simply brings in another model every 6 months as their “new” model.
2. Drive Train & Controller
The next thing I would suggest looking at is the drivetrain. You should be looking only at vehicles with AC motors, as they have zero maintenance and have a lifespan that should outlast the vehicle itself. 48-volts is the industry standard; however, I believe that 72-volts is the future. Higher voltage means a more efficient vehicle and less heat being created by the components, which means a longer lifespan. 4kW motors are now the entry point into the AC market, which works great in 2 and 2+2 non-lifted vehicles, but you are going to want to look for a higher kW motor for larger or lifted vehicles to get the best performance and longevity.
You also want to ensure your motor controller is matched for the performance of the motor. Too small of a controller, and it will be overworked and won’t use the full potential of the motor. Too big of a controller, and you will be pushing the limits of the motor and run the risk of overheating it. With properly matched components, you will get an excellent combination of performance on longevity.
3. Battery
Another key component that works together with the drivetrain is the battery. In my opinion, the only choice is lithium. Lithium battery technology has come a long way: it is substantially lighter and requires zero maintenance. The challenge with lithium is determining the real performance that it can provide. If the battery cannot provide the amps required by the drivetrain, then it doesn’t matter how many amps your motor and controller can handle. Ensure you do your research on the battery beyond just the amp hours that are being advertised. You should ask the dealer or manufacturer that you are working with how many continuous and peak amps the battery can handle. They should be able to provide you with the stages of discharge and charge amps that the battery can offer. You don’t want to pair a motor and a controller that can draw 450 amps with a battery that can only provide a peak amp rating of 300 amps.
4. Other Key Features
The next point to consider are the other key components that make up the vehicle, such as frame construction, suspension, braking, lighting, and so on. For example, my preference is an aluminum frame with coil over suspension, 4-disc hydraulic brakes, and LED road ready lighting. These are by fa the best components to keep the vehicle from rusting, and to create a better overall experience for a ride that feels more like a vehicle rather than a cart. These are especially important features for LSVs as they provide the needed safety features for on-road use.
Beyond the previously mentioned items, it basically comes down to preference, fit, and comfort for your application. Will you be driving on the road to the golf course? Do you live at the bottom of a hill, or the top of a hill you’ll need to climb? If so, you’ll need to have a proper drivetrain and battery combination as well as LSV rating and safety features that allow it to perform as you need.
The point I am driving home is don’t be bam-boozled by the flashy touchscreens and new fandangle features alone. Those can be great creature comforts, but if the rest of the vehicle is not up to standard and constantly in the repair shop, then having a touchscreen or other bells and whistles won’t be much use.
Take care before you purchase your golf car or LSV. Be sure you research the manufacturer, their drivetrain, their controller, and their battery, and other key features to ensure you’re getting a high performing vehicle for your application. Once you have done that, then the real fun begins.
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