How to Maximize Your Electric Golf Cart's Environmentally Friendly Benefits

If you're in the market for a golf cart, getting an electric model is the environmentally responsible choice. Simply buying an electric cart isn't the only way you can help the environment when purchasing a cart, though. If you're getting an electric golf cart, here are some additional steps you can take to maximize your cart's environmentally friendly benefits.

Outfitting your house with solar panels will let you recharge your electric golf cart with renewable and clean energy that's generated right on your property. Not only will your cart be running on environmentally responsible electricity, but you'll be the one producing that electricity -- and there's a certain pride that you can take in doing so.

If you're going to use self-generated solar power to recharge your electric golf cart, make sure your solar setup will be able to store the full amount of electricity required to recharge your golf cart.

Your solar energy system will generate the most electricity during the afternoon, but the afternoon is also likely when you'll want to use your cart (especially if the weather is pleasant). The system will need to have batteries that can store the required electricity until night, when you probably won't be using your cart and can let it recharge.

If you use your golf cart primarily at a campsite or cottage where a whole-home solar energy system isn't a practical option for recharging your cart, you can still take advantage of self-generated solar electricity.

Rather than outfitting an entire property with a solar-energy system, get a solar panel that's made to attach to the top of golf carts. A golf cart-specific panel can be put on your electric golf cart's top, and it'll recharge the battery anytime the sun is shining, regardless of where the golf cart is outdoors.

You won't want to rely on a cart-mounted solar panel to extend the range that you drive. It'll still take several hours to recharge your cart's battery, and you may drain the battery faster than the panel can recharge it. However, this option is an effective way to responsibly recharge an electric cart's battery when it's not in use.

Signing up for 100-percent clean and renewable energy is an alternative to installing a solar energy system. Most electric providers have an option to use only electricity that's generated through environmentally friendly means, such as from wind, solar or hydro power.

If you don't want to install a solar energy system, an option like this will let you still recharge your electric golf cart's battery with responsibly generated electricity. Some electric providers charge slightly more for this service, but the rate increase is usually quite minimal.

Depending on where you use your electric golf cart, you may be able to take advantage of area recharging stations. If there's one nearby, it could increase how far you're able to take your golf cart. You could potentially double your cart's maximum range, driving your cart to a charging station, letting it recharge and then driving home.

Even if a recharging station isn't powered by solar, wind or hydro power, it still may have benefits for the environment. By increasing how far you're able to use your electric cart, you may be able to take it places rather than your car. If you drive a fuel-powered car, this will greatly reduce how much pollution is generated when you head out.

If you're interested in an environmentally friendly electric golf cart, check out the selection of golf carts we have at Sierra Golf Carts & Auto.