The 2025 PGA Show gave strong hints as to what companies see as the likely direction of the market over the near term; i.e., the next one to five years. In summary, expect to see manufacturers move their vehicles onto public roads and streets in the short-distance driving market.
By way of background, U.S. Department of Transportation studies show that between 70-75% of all vehicular driving takes place within 5-7 miles of individual family residences. The trips involved include shopping errands, close by entertainment forays, and commuting. These trips can be categorized as short distance driving. On the commercial side, last mile delivery vehicle’s will include low speed vehicles.
What is needed and what will drive the short distance diving market
Low speed vehicles will in growing numbers, become a viable and desirable alternative to the conventional automobile. Here are the key technologies and products seen at the Show which are likely to boost the feasibility and growth of the short distance driving market.
In addition to technology and product refinement, market development will also require effective advocacy on a collective basis. This was also in play at the Show with the launch of the Low Speed Vehicle Dealers Association. More about this below.
New products and technologies
When we speak of “new” products and technologies, the adjective here means ready for market and commercial sales. Club Car has been a leading innovator over the years with the Onward model line introduction in 2017 and last year the CRU. In this year’s Show, the company broke new ground in geofencing technology.
Club Car’s individualized geofencing platform
Heretofore geofencing has been reserved for gated communities and other forms of planned residential developments. Club Car has now introduced ConnectTM a geofencing platform that can be personalized for individual driving patterns. This branded system is directed to the consumer and commercial market. Thus, LSV owners can geofence their particular neighborhoods so as to include various short-distance driving destinations and the roadways to get there. The ConnectTM platform evolved out of the VisageTM system for golf course fleet control, which has been available for several years.
Structuring the geofenced pathways does not require a technician, but rather, can be accomplished by the LSV owner via a cell phone or computer-based app. In addition to geofencing, the platform provides a means of regulating speed, warns of off-track warning, and can secure the vehicle against theft.
Perhaps the most intriguing feature of the system is that it can incorporate local restrictions on road access (e.g., high-speed thoroughfares) and speed. If there is a younger driver in the household, parents can also impose restrictions on routes and speed. Not only will these features enhance LSVs as a short-distance driving alternative to conventional vehicles, but also assure local officials that LSVs are safe for use on public roads.
Club Car Urban aims for last mile delivery segment
Club Car is also pushing into the commercial side of short distance driving. In this case it’s better known as last mile delivery. Club Car introduced the Urban, which features multiple modules that can be mounted on the vehicle frame, to accommodate the diverse needs of this market.
The Urban also features a fully enclosed hard door cab, assuring its suitability of use in all climate zones across the country. (This feature is also needed on the consumer side, which this column has been pointing out for some time.)
The last mile delivery market is not well-suited for walk-in sales that typify most dealer operations. So, Club Car has committed a specialized sales team which will be knocking on the doors of DoorDash, Walmart, and other retail chains. This reflects a clear understanding that no matter how good a product is, it does not sell itself. Someone needs to carry the message to the customer, especially in this case where LSVs are not currently a part of the segment.
Yamaha partners with Pilot Car to bring LSV models to dealers
Yamaha Golf Cars has perhaps been the most reluctant of the “Big 3” to develop LSV-certified models. The 2025 Show marked the launch of its partnership with Pilot Car to bring such vehicles to market. This move by Yamaha was yet another indicator of the emergence and potential growth of the short distance driving segment.
Opportunity charging technology to impact short distance driving market
WiTricity introduced its magnetic resonance, wireless charging technology last year at both the Consumer Electronics Show and the PGA Show. This technology would greatly enhance the convenience of charging at home, as well as opportunity-charging while parked at short distance driving destinations.
The device was seen in the exhibits of E-Z-GO, Tomberlin, and ICON. As more companies collaborate with WiTricity, the more likely this technology will become a fixture in the market and further enhance the LSV alternative for short-distance driving. The next step is to take this device from the garage to the convenience store parking space.
Building the all-weather LSV
If LSVs are to become the real alternative to conventional vehicles in short distance driving opportunities on a national scale, hard shell enclosures – probably with detachable doors – will be a must. This design affords full weatherization and extends LSVs usage to all parts of the country and would offer year-round driving comfort.
One exhibitor in particular, Massimo, had exactly this idea, as seen in the photo to the left. Prediction: We will see more models next year with hard enclosures
Low Speed Vehicle Dealer Association launches at PGA 2025
The coming together of so many key factors that positively influence, and will influence, the rise of short distance driving using LSVs strongly suggests the need for collective action and advocacy on a collective basis. To this end, the PGA Show also marked the launch of the Low Speed Vehicle Dealers Association (LSVDA), led by Brian Rott, CEO of Cart Mart, now with ten dealerships under its umbrella, Michael Alexander, long time veteran in the LSV industry and past president of the American Golf Car Manufacturers Association, and Ben King, creator and producer of the HuntVeTM electric vehicle, and dealer in Fort Worth, TX.
The LSVDA will offer numerous services to its members, including the critical role of lobbying government agencies in an on-going effort to encourage policy makers to take steps to provide driving environments that are conducive to LSV use. It should be noted that membership is open not only to dealers across all brands, but also to suppliers, manufacturers, and technology companies. More details can be found at www.lsvda.com .
ITC and Commerce tariffs cast shadows at the Show
The widely anticipated tariffs on imported LSVs may have significant impacts on new and recent entrants into the industry, parts suppliers, as well as the supposed beneficiaries, namely Club Car, E-Z-GO, and Yamaha who are considered domestic manufacturing companies The impact of this kind of governmental policy is yet another reason for supporting a collective response via the LSVDA.
Responses to counter tariffs; Chinese companies will lower their prices, their customers will lower their prices, supply chains will be adjusted. Voyager Electric Vehicles, a fast-growing, recent start-up, is an example of the latter strategy, The company is based in Georgia and with team members COO/Lead Engineer, Randy Ilg and his wife, Ashlee, who is the company’s Director of Marketing and Branding at the booth. According to Ashlee, the company has moved their partial assembly operation from China to Vietnam. In all likelihood, other companies will do the same with a diversity of locations.
RoyPow forward integrates its product offering
RoyPow is well known for its battery products and the company has moved to a product that integrates its barrier, an electric motor capable of 40 HP, and a controller. Assembled together, the integrated power train is an easy bolt on attachment to the vehicle frame.
RoyPow joins SilverWolf and Navitas in the power upgrade segment of the market. The better performance of these products is well suited to the short distance driving market, as consumers seek to upgrade their LSVs, especially when it comes to speed and power.
In addition to RoyPow there were a significant number of Chinese parts manufacturers present at the Show. All may be affected by increased tariffs, but when asked about how this potential problem with this policy might affect them, most simply indicated that they would adapt. So, the bottom line is that Chinese competition is not going away
Push for next show to highlight LSV product and technology developments
On the Show’s last day, Jack Triolo—a dealer for over 35 years and designated historian for the LSVDA—in a conversation with Sherry Major, the Show’s director, took the position that next year’s show should set apart and highlight LSVs along with assemblers, suppliers, and technology companies.
The idea here is to create a significant space on the exhibit floor for an industry “cluster” featuring all participants and stakeholders. This would be made clearly recognizable and visible from signage, lighting, and even music.
Sherry seemed open to the idea, so we will be monitoring developments with the hopes that this will come about.
