A typical golf cart has very little horsepower, usually ranging from 0.5 to 3 horsepower (hp) for standard electric models and up to 10-15 hp for larger, modified, or gas-powered versions. The power rating is often measured differently for electric carts, using terms like wattage or torque instead of direct horsepower figures.
Deciphering Golf Cart Power Sources
Golf carts come mainly in two types: electric and gas. Their power sources greatly affect how much “oomph” they deliver. It is important to look past simple horsepower numbers when comparing them.
Electric Golf Cart Power Explained
Most modern golf carts run on batteries. These carts do not use gasoline. Their power comes from electric motors.
Motor Output vs. Horsepower Ratings
Electric Golf cart motor output is often shown in watts (W) or volts (V) and amps (A). Horsepower is just one way to look at it. Torque is often more important for electric carts. Torque helps them move from a stop or go up small hills.
Golf cart engine specs for electric carts focus on the motor itself.
- Voltage: Standard carts often use 36V or 48V systems. Higher voltage usually means more potential power.
- Amperage: This shows how much current the motor draws. More amps generally mean more pushing power.
- Wattage: This is a better measure of raw electric power. A small motor might be rated around 1,000 to 2,500 watts.
To convert electric power to an approximate horsepower figure, you use a simple math formula. One mechanical horsepower equals about 746 watts.
$$ \text{Approximate HP} = \frac{\text{Motor Watts}}{746} $$
For a standard 1,500-watt motor:
$$ \frac{1500}{746} \approx 2 \text{ horsepower} $$
This shows that Electric golf cart power is quite modest for street use.
Common Electric Cart Brands and Power
Major brands have standard power levels. Knowing these helps set expectations for Typical golf cart performance.
| Brand | Typical Voltage | Approximate Motor Output (Watts) | Estimated Horsepower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Club Car | 48V | 1,800 – 2,200W | 2.4 – 3.0 hp |
| E-Z-GO | 36V or 48V | 1,500 – 2,000W | 2.0 – 2.7 hp |
| Yamaha | 36V or 48V | 1,600 – 2,100W | 2.1 – 2.8 hp |
Club Car motor output tends to be robust, often prioritizing reliable torque for hilly courses. Similarly, E-Z-GO horsepower figures align closely with these ranges in their stock setups.
Gas Golf Cart Horsepower Rating
Gas-powered golf carts use small internal combustion engines. These engines are often similar to those found in lawnmowers or tillers.
These engines are rated directly in horsepower. A typical modern gas cart uses a 2-cycle or 4-cycle engine.
- Standard Gas Carts: These usually produce between 8 hp and 12 hp.
- Utility Carts: Carts designed to haul heavy loads might push closer to 14 hp or 15 hp.
The Gas golf cart horsepower rating is usually higher than electric models straight off the assembly line. However, electric carts often feel quicker due to instant torque.
Fathoming Golf Cart Speed vs. Power
Many people confuse speed with raw horsepower. How fast a cart goes depends on power, but also on gearing and tire size.
Factors Influencing Top Speed
Golf cart speed vs power is not a one-to-one relationship. A cart with high power might be geared low for climbing hills, making it slow on flat ground. Conversely, a lower-power cart geared high might go faster on flat roads but struggle to start moving.
Key factors affecting speed:
- Motor/Engine Power: More power lets the cart overcome wind resistance and rolling friction faster.
- Gearing Ratio: Lower gear ratios increase torque (pulling power) but limit top speed. Higher gear ratios increase top speed but reduce starting power.
- Tire Size: Larger tires make the cart travel farther per wheel rotation, effectively increasing speed if the motor can handle the load.
- Controller Limits (Electric Carts): The speed controller limits how much current flows to the motor, often capping the top speed regardless of the motor’s theoretical limit.
Low-Speed Vehicle Power Requirements
When a golf cart is modified to become a Low-speed vehicle power (LSV) for street use, the requirements change.
LSVs need to meet specific safety standards and often have required top speeds (usually capped around 25 mph). While they don’t need massive horsepower, reliable power is necessary to maintain highway speeds or keep up with traffic flow. For this transition, many owners upgrade motors or controllers to ensure they can safely reach and maintain 20-25 mph consistently, often needing closer to 5-7 effective horsepower.
Improving Power: Modifying Golf Cart Horsepower
Can you get more power out of a little golf cart motor? Yes, but it takes work and money. Modifying golf cart horsepower usually targets electric systems, as they are easier to electronically adjust than gas engines.
Electric Upgrades: The Controller is Key
For electric carts, the biggest jump in performance comes not just from the motor, but from the electronics controlling it.
Controller Upgrades
The controller manages how much electricity flows from the batteries to the motor.
- Higher Amperage Controllers: Swapping a stock 250-amp controller for an aftermarket 350-amp or 400-amp controller allows the existing motor to draw significantly more current. This results in faster acceleration and better hill climbing torque.
- Motor Selection: Replacing the stock motor with a high-performance, high-speed motor designed for golf carts will provide a direct increase in overall output.
These upgrades mean the system is drawing more power from the batteries. This means batteries drain faster.
Battery System Enhancements
More power requires more fuel (electricity).
- Voltage Increase: Moving from a 36V system to a 48V or even 72V system dramatically increases potential power, provided the motor and controller can handle the higher voltage. This is a major modification.
- Lithium-Ion Conversion: Switching from traditional flooded lead-acid batteries to Lithium-Ion batteries can improve power delivery consistency, as Li-ion batteries maintain voltage better under heavy load.
Gas Engine Enhancements
Modifying golf cart horsepower in gas models is similar to tuning a small engine.
- Exhaust and Intake: Installing a performance exhaust and a less restrictive air intake can help the engine breathe better, leading to minor horsepower gains.
- Carburetor Tuning: Adjusting the carburetor jets or installing a performance carburetor can optimize the fuel-air mix, boosting output slightly.
- Engine Swaps: For serious power, some enthusiasts swap the tiny stock engine for a larger, more powerful engine from a snowmobile or ATV, although this requires extensive fabrication.
The Limits of Power Upgrades
When modifying golf cart horsepower, you must consider the drivetrain’s strength. The axles, differential, and transmission components are not built for massive power. Over-modifying can quickly lead to broken parts. Typical golf cart performance limits are set by the chassis design itself.
Comparing Power Needs: Utility vs. Recreation
The amount of horsepower a cart needs depends entirely on how it is used.
Recreational Use (Short Distances, Flat Ground)
If you only use the cart on flat pavement or a smooth golf course for short trips, the stock power is usually fine.
- Electric: 2-3 hp is sufficient for adequate speed (12-15 mph).
- Gas: 8-10 hp provides easy cruising speed.
Heavy Duty and Utility Use
Carts used for towing, moving heavy equipment, or navigating steep terrain need more low-end pulling power (torque).
- Torque Focus: Here, the Golf cart motor output measured in torque is more crucial than the peak horsepower number. High torque allows the cart to start moving heavy loads without stalling.
- Higher Voltage/Higher Amps: Electric utility carts often benefit most from 48V systems and heavy-duty controllers to sustain torque delivery over longer periods.
Fathoming Low-Speed Vehicle Power Regulations
When a cart moves from private property use to public roads (becoming an LSV), the power level is indirectly regulated by safety and speed requirements, rather than a direct horsepower mandate.
The vehicle must be able to safely reach and sustain the posted speed limit (up to 25 mph). This often pushes owners toward carts that naturally offer higher Golf cart speed vs power potential, meaning they usually upgrade past the bare minimum stock power.
The transition often involves:
- Upgrading the speed controller.
- Installing better batteries or higher voltage systems.
- Ensuring the braking system can handle the increased speeds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
H4: Can I put a car engine in my golf cart?
Yes, people do engine swaps, often using small V-twin engines. However, this is a highly complex project that requires custom fabrication for mounting, cooling, and connecting the drivetrain. It results in a very powerful machine, far exceeding standard Golf cart engine specs.
H4: How does torque relate to horsepower in golf carts?
Torque is rotational force—the “grunt” needed to get moving or climb hills. Horsepower is the rate at which work is done (speed multiplied by torque). Electric carts excel at producing high torque instantly, which makes them feel quick at low speeds, even if their peak horsepower rating is low compared to a gas engine.
H4: Why do electric carts sometimes lose power on hills?
Electric carts lose power on hills because the batteries cannot supply the high current (amps) needed to maintain high torque output for long periods. The controller may also limit the current to protect the motor from overheating. This is a limit of the current Electric golf cart power delivery system.
H4: Are gas golf carts more powerful than electric ones?
Generally, a stock gas golf cart has a higher peak Gas golf cart horsepower rating (e.g., 10 hp) than a stock electric cart (e.g., 2.5 hp). However, due to the instantaneous torque delivery of electric motors, well-upgraded electric carts can sometimes feel faster in short bursts or up to moderate speeds.