According to WCNC-TV, more golf carts are being seen on public roads in Charlotte. That doesn’t surprise me. I regularly see two in my neighborhood. It has nothing to do with the nearby golf course and I don’t live in a retirement community. People just like driving them. It might make them feel like they’re on vacation.
Given where gas prices are going, owning a golf cart sounds like a good idea, but they have their limits. A golf cart is classified as an LSV, or low-speed vehicle. North Carolina law states that low-speed vehicles may be operated on public streets where the posted speed limit is 35 miles per hour or less. Also, the golf cart should be able to drive at speeds of 20 to 25 miles per hour.
Then there’s the question of how far you can travel in an LSV. Electric golf carts can only get you 35 miles when fully charged. A Tesla, while far more expensive, has much greater range. Gasoline-powered golf carts will take you farther. They get about 40 miles per gallon, which is great, and most have 5- to 6-gallon tanks.
Whether it’s gas-powered or electric, a golf cart is not an ideal replacement vehicle for all situations. But if you’re just puttering around your neighborhood, you may want to consider getting one.