A few months ago, I ordered a custom golf car from Club Car. I knew exactly what I wanted and creating the custom order with the salesperson was simple. After we finalized everything, he commented that he was surprised I ordered the lithium battery option without any encouragement from him. He noted that he typically has to educate customers about lithium batteries and convince them to opt for them over lead acid. For me, building my new golf car with a lithium battery was a no-brainer.
When marketing golf cars, emphasizing the advantages of lithium batteries can significantly enhance their appeal. Lithium batteries offer a compelling upgrade over traditional lead-acid batteries, which are known for being maintenance-heavy and less efficient.
I personally did not want to deal with the maintenance associated with lead acid batteries- the frequent water checks and terminal cleaning required. I also didn’t want to experience the voltage dips and inefficient power output that occurs with lead acid batteries.
They were great when that was all we had, but now there is something better.
Lithium batteries are noteworthy for their performance. They are lighter in weight, which contributes to better maneuverability and less wear on the golf car’s components. This weight reduction also improves the golf car’s speed and range, making the ride smoother and the car more energy-efficient.
I bought my golf car so that my family could cruise around the state park and village where we live. The range and power delivered by my lithium battery are unmatched and more than I expected.
Lithium batteries have a longer lifespan, often lasting up to twice as long as lead-acid batteries under similar conditions. Despite the higher initial investment, this longevity translates into cost savings in the long run.
Presenting these benefits clearly and confidently can convince potential buyers that the switch to lithium-powered golf cars is a smart and sustainable choice.
Comparing Lithium Batteries to Lead Acid Batteries
When selling golf cars, it is important to educate customers about the differences between lithium and lead-acid batteries. Without additional information, most people go with what they know.
Advantages of Lithium Batteries in Golf Cars
Lithium golf car batteries provide several technical advantages:
- They are lightweight, meaning they contribute less to the overall weight of the golf car, which can improve performance.
- With higher energy density, these batteries can store more power for their size than lead acid batteries, lending additional power to golf cars.
- Lithium batteries also possess a higher efficiency, which means that a greater proportion of the energy stored can be used effectively.
- This directly translates into faster and more efficient charging.
- Another significant advantage is that they require less maintenance.
- They are also environmentally friendly, as they contain no harmful lead and have a longer lifespan which results in fewer batteries needing to be recycled over time.
Cost-Effectiveness and Longevity
Initially, upgrading to lithium batteries is more costly, but they are more cost-effective when analyzing longevity and cost per cycle. With up to ten times the cycle life under most conditions, this significantly increases the value over time.
The savings on energy costs are due to the lithium batteries’ ability to fast charge, leading to less downtime and extended driving. The longer lifespan of lithium batteries—which can be up to 20 years or more—translates into fewer replacements over the lifespan of
the golf car.
Zero maintenance and higher reliability of lithium batteries further support the claim of overall savings. They also offer a consistent power delivery over the charge cycle, ensuring that the golf car’s performance doesn’t diminish as the battery discharges.
Helping our customers to upgrade their golf cars using improved technology is our responsibility. Typically, all it takes is a bit of education and encouragement. Lithium batteries are the future of golf cars, so let’s get there one customer at a time.
Julie Starr is a visionary entrepreneur with a passion for the golf car industry. As the former owner of WHEELZ Custom Carts, she was one of the industry’s first online retailers of golf car parts and helped to set the standard for personalized and innovative golf car designs. Building on her experience, Julie is now the owner of JStarrMedia, a portfolio of websites that includes www.allaboutgolfcarts.com.
