Gas vs. Electric Golf Carts: Which Should You Buy?
Electric carts dominate neighborhoods; gas carts rule the farm and the long haul. Here is how to pick, and what each is worth used.
By Joey Bouza, Founder, US Golf Cart Connection · Updated October 22, 2026
Most golf carts sold today are electric, and in a golf community that is the right default: quiet, cheap to run, and welcome everywhere. Gas carts keep a loyal following for one reason — range without charging — and Yamaha's fuel-injected QuieTech engines removed most of the old objections about noise. The choice comes down to how you will use the cart.
Side by side
| Electric | Gas | |
|---|---|---|
| Range | A full charge covers a day in the neighborhood; long days need a charger nearby | A tank covers all day and then some; refuel in minutes |
| Noise | Near silent | Quiet on modern EFI engines (Yamaha especially); louder on older carbureted carts |
| Running cost | Pennies per charge; the battery pack is the big periodic cost | Fuel and oil changes; engines are long-lived with basic care |
| Maintenance | Lead-acid packs need watering; lithium needs nothing | Oil, filters, belts, carburetor or injector service |
| Where allowed | Everywhere carts are allowed; many communities require electric | Some communities and courses restrict gas carts |
| Best for | Neighborhood driving, golf, short errands | Farms, large properties, hunting, long distances from power |
Which holds value better?
In community markets, electric carts — especially lithium — are the larger market and resell more easily. Gas carts hold value well with buyers who need the range, and a Yamaha EFI gas cart in particular is sought after. The live figures for each category on this site are below.
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Check before you buy
- Electric: battery type and age, charger included, hill test under load.
- Gas: cold start, idle quality, oil condition, exhaust smoke, and whether the engine is carbureted or fuel-injected.
- Both: frame rust on steel-frame carts, tire wear, brakes, lights, and the serial plate.
Frequently asked questions
- Are gas golf carts being phased out?
- Not by law, but most communities and courses prefer or require electric, and most new personal carts are electric. Gas remains the choice for range and work use.
- Which is cheaper to own?
- Electric is cheaper to run day to day; the battery pack is its one large periodic cost. Gas costs more per mile in fuel and routine service but avoids the battery bill.
- Can I use a gas cart in a golf community?
- Check the community rules. Many allow them; some restrict gas carts on paths or in garages. Courses usually require electric for fleet play.
- Which is faster?
- Stock, both are limited to golf-cart speeds. Lithium electric carts accelerate harder; gas carts hold speed longer on hills with a load.
About the author
Joey Bouza — Founder, US Golf Cart Connection
Founder of Prospects International, the Florida marketing firm behind the US Connection family of marketplaces, including this one for golf carts.
Prices and counts in our guides come from live listings on this site and are recalculated hourly. Where we describe typical repair, battery or transport costs we say so and keep them qualitative, and we never publish a number we haven't measured or sourced.