Lead-Acid vs. Lithium-Ion Golf Cart Batteries

Whether you use them on the course or simply to get around the neighborhood, your golf carts need to be ready to ride. Picking the right battery is a deciding factor in that. But one thing to keep in mind is that while lead-acid batteries may be less expensive upfront, they’re not worth it in the long run. Here’s a breakdown of lead-acid vs. lithium-ion golf cart batteries and why lithium-ion golf cart batteries are your best value for your golf cart.

A Real Charge

How long does it take to charge the battery in your cart? If it’s more than an hour, your battery isn’t just wasting electricity—it’s wasting your time. Lead-acid batteries, on average, can take up to eight hours to charge, while lithium-ion batteries take less than half that time and are mostly charged in that first hour. Time is a scarce resource, and you don’t have to waste time waiting for your carts to charge so that you or your customers can hit the links. Lithium-ion batteries, unlike lead-acid ones, also have the benefit of staying in good shape even if they’re not fully charged. Undercharged lead-acid batteries tend to take longer to charge each time you let them drop too low.

Heavy-Duty, Without Being Too Heavy

Lead-acid batteries are significantly heavier— lead is in the name, after all. This puts more drag on the vehicle, causing it to expend more of the charge on getting around. It also tends to slow the cart down when you’re scaling hills. Overall, this means slower speeds and less range. Lithium-ion batteries weigh much less than lead-acid ones, which means less strain on the battery and engine and greater range and top speeds overall. That also means carts can handle more passengers and weight.

Taking Care of Battery Business

Lead-acid batteries tend to require more maintenance. You have to keep the leads clean and the top of the battery dry and free from corrosion. This can be done with baking soda and a brush, but who has the time? Certain lead-acid batteries also need to be filled, but not overfilled, with distilled water, protected from overcharging, and kept charged through constant use. Lithium-ion batteries, however, require none of the messy maintenance when compared to lead-acid. 

Live Long and Prosper

When considering lead-acid vs. lithium-ion, Li-On golf cart batteries last much longer than traditional batteries. They have an increased number of charge cycles and can last four or even five times as long as lead-acid batteries. Instead of replacing your lead-acid batteries every 2 – 4 years, you can buy a set of lithium-ion batteries once and with proper use; see lifespans of 10 – 20 years.

The choice is clear—lithium-ion golf cart batteries are the smart choice when it comes to power, consistency, speed, weight, and more. Invest in one lithium-ion battery versus a half-dozen lead-acid batteries, and you’ll be set.