MAIERS Q&A: THE WORLD OF GOLF CARTS ASKED AND ANSWERED!

In principle, golf carts may only be driven on private or company property. However, there are vehicles with an European EU type approval in the class L6e or L7e, which have a road permit for all EU countries.

They are allowed to drive on public roads with the exception of expressways and highways.

On private property there is no restriction, on company property it is at the discretion of the owner or manager from what age driving a golf cart is allowed, usually from 16.

On golf courses there is sometimes also a lower age restriction from 12.

If golf carts have an EU type approval, the vehicles of the L6e class require an “AM” driving license, which can be obtained from the age of 16. For operation of a vehicle of the class L7e you need a passenger car driving license, which you receive from the age of 17 (L17) and / or 18 (B1000 or B18).

Golf carts, if they have EU type approval, are motor vehicles within the meaning of the Road Traffic Act and generally require registration.

On private or company remises, a golf cart is considered to be a device or machine.

Golf carts with EU type approval, i.e. a road registration, are insured in the same way as other motor vehicles, third-party, partial or fully comprehensive insurance. The third party liability premium costs around € 300.- per year, a fully comprehensive insurance around € 1,500.-. 

For vehicles without road registration, which are driven on private or business premises, the vehicle can be covered by household insurance or business liability after consultation with the respective insurance company.

No, driving on sidewalks or bike paths with golf carts with or without road registration is explicitly prohibited. Theoretically, an electric vehicle could ride on the bike path, but only if the rated motor power of 600W (and the maximum speed of 25km/h) is not exceeded. The lowest rated motor power of golf carts is 2000W, which is a multiple of what is allowed. The maximum speed varies between 24 and 50km/h depending on the type.

No, golf carts with a 10km plate are not allowed to be driven on public road.

In most cases the maximum speed for a golf cart with road registration is between 27 and 50km/h. Vehicles without road registration have a maximum of 24 to 31km/h

The average engine oil fill quantity for petrol golf carts is between 0.9 and 1.2 litres, depending on the model.

The first sighting of a motorized golfmobile was in Los Angeles in 1932. This was a three-wheeled mobile that was made available to senior citizens for grocery shopping.

It was produced and developed in Arkansas, Texas. Due to lack of demand at this time, production was quickly discontinued.

It wasn't until mid 1950s that the Golfmobile found favor among golfers.

Merle Williams invented the first electric-powered golf cart, which went into production as early as 1951. In the years that followed, various companies such as Harley Davidson and Yamaha joined the effort and set up their own production facilities.

Among the most famous and largest manufacturers of golf carts are Yamaha, E-Z-Go, Clubcar or even Melex.

Getting around the golf course was made easier when Clubcar introduced the first golf cart with a steering wheel in the 1960s.

Many celebrities, including Sam Snead and Jackie Gleason, were seen on golf courses with some of the first Clubcar vehicles available. It also introduced the first golf utility vehicle for easier course maintenance by mounting a transport box on a golf cart.

In 1962, Bill Stevens, Sr. purchased Landreath Machine, based in Dallas, TX and moved the company headquarters to Augusta, GA. Clubcar officially began production.

The company founder and his son, Bill Jr. drove to the 1962 PGA Show in Dunedin, FL in six days.

In the 1980s, Dom Saporito develops the Clubcar DS, which quickly becomes a bestseller due to its easy maintenance and durability. The golf cart quickly becomes the flagship model in the golf industry and gives Clubcar an international reputation.

In 1985, the Carryall II is introduced, the company's first modern utility vehicle for commercial applications.

Many developments characterize the 90s. In 1992, the first OHV engine, the FE290, is produced.

The Custom Solutions department is established to develop vehicles on demand according to special customer requirements.

ArmorFlex, an advanced polymer that provides longer color retention and increases resale value, is introduced.

The Café Express sales vehicle is launched

In the 2000s, the 1,000,000th vehicle rolls off the line, a Golfcart DS; in the seat of one of the original eight investors. 

The Precedent i2 is unveiled in 2004: a new fleet golf cart that incorporates five years of research and development and quickly sets new standards for elegance and comfort.

That same year, the Carryall 295 is introduced, Clubcar's first four-wheel drive utility vehicle.

In 2008, the Excel Drive system provides improved vehicle efficiency and control, as well as a better driving experience.

The Villager 2+2 LSV is introduced for the consumer market. It allows comfortable driving through suburbs or downtown at a time when low-speed, street-legal vehicles are becoming more popular.

In 2010, Clubcar refined the golf experience with the new Connected technology system, including Visage and 3D golf course flyovers, fleet management software and many other features.

On Earth Day 2010, the 2,000,000th vehicle, a zero-emission LSV, rolled off the production line at Clubcar. 

The Carryall vehicle series was redesigned to offer industry-leading ergonomics, increased cargo capacity and ground clearance, and more efficient systems.

The Precedent i3, a new fleet golf cart with integrated GPS, vehicle tracking and other features through the Visage Fleet Management system, is introduced. It will win several Best Golf Car awards from Golf Digest.

The Onward will be introduced in early 2017. It offers a choice of colors, seats, wheels and many accessories. Customers can thus assemble their club car completely online according to their wishes.

In 2017, a partnership with the Greg Norman Company and Verizon was announced for the Shark Experience. A Fleet golf cart with a more automotive-like look and style was also unveiled

Source: www.clubcar.com

In 1901, Everette and Clinton Cushman founded Cushman Motor Works to produce gasoline motors. but the Cushmans ended up leaving in 1919. It wasn't until 1936 that new owner Charles Ammon started making scooters, and then it wasn't until 1955 that Cushman introduced its first three-wheel golf cart, followed by the four-wheel model.

In 1957 Outboard Marine Corporation bought the company, and four years later it unveiled the Trucksters and the "Shark Nosed" model 735 golf cart, which were produced until 1967 and were powered by electricity. In 1964 Cushman started producing the fiberglass body model 436, and until 1970 they juggled models between electric and gas, including the 736 Deluxe Golfster; its higher-end model came with headlight and a horn. During the late 1960's, their most popular four-wheel model was the Gran Cushman Golfster model GC-400, which could either be gas or electric and was made with a steel body.

Cushman dominated courses until Harley Davidson introduced its gas model. Cushman continued to dominate the electric cart market until it stopped producing carts in 1975. In 1989, Cushman was purchased by Ransomes Limited, which was then purchased by Textron in 1998. Textron owns E-Z-GO. Cushmans are still built by Textron's Jacobsen Golf.

Source: www.golflink.com

In 1985 the group of companies is founded for the design and development of automation systems and energy management. The production catalog was then expanded in 1989, entering the field of telecommunications and counting among its customers some of the most important multinational companies in the sector.

In 2008, the group expands its business in the solar sector, focusing its activity on environmentally friendly energy systems.

In 2011, the Group decides to take another step forward, developing and producing "Pure Electric Vehicles" for freight and passenger transport. Over time, a new sales and service network for pure electric compact transport vehicles completely "Made in Italy" is created for the markets in Europe and worldwide.

www.esagonoenergia.com

During a hot summer in 1954, in a cramped one-room machine shop in Augusta, Georgia, E‑Z‑GO® was born. Two brothers started with a simple belief that they could build a better golf car, that better met the needs of the customer, than any other vehicle that's on the market.

From those humble beginnings, E‑Z‑GO has become a world leader in transportation and a leading global manufacturer of golf cars, utility vehicles and personal transportation vehicles. From our headquarters in Augusta, we build tens of thousands of vehicles each year, many of which feature game-changing technology and innovations to improve vehicle efficiency and enhance the user experience like no other vehicle can. As but one example, our exclusive AC Drive, found in the E‑Z‑GO RXV golf-car platform, uses an alternating-current motor and electrical powertrain to deliver unparalleled hill-climbing power and vehicle performance with unmatched energy efficiency, with industry-leading features like a parking brake that automatically engages whenever the vehicle stops.

E‑Z‑GO is also well known for its business and operational excellence. In 2009, E‑Z‑GO received the coveted Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence. That same year, the company's Augusta facility was named one of Industry Week magazine's top 10 manufacturing plants in North America. The company's facilities follow ISO 9001 standards.

Since 1960, E‑Z‑GO has been part of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), a global multi-industry company headquartered in Providence, RI. A Fortune 500 company with more than 35,000 employees worldwide and operations in 25 countries, Textron is known for its powerful brands, including E‑Z‑GO, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Bell Helicopter, Jacobsen and Kautex, among others.

Today, E‑Z‑GO vehicles are designed and manufactured by Textron Specialized Vehicles, a division of Textron Inc. that also manufactures commercial and industrial utility vehicles, recreational side-by-side UTVs, and ground support equipment for the aviation industry. E‑Z‑GO stands alongside its sister Textron Specialized Vehicles brands — Arctic Cat®, Jacobsen®, Cushman® and Textron GSE — as leaders in the respective industries they serve.

But more than 60 years after the first E‑Z‑GO vehicle was built in that sweltering one-room shop, there is still that single belief — that we exist to build vehicles and services that exceed the expectations of the customer, better than any other offering on the market. It is the drive to sustain and improve that position — to offer an unparalleled combination of world-class products, advanced technology, manufacturing expertise, and extraordinary service — that leads E‑Z‑GO to cover new ground.

Source: www.ezgo.txtsv.com

Garia is the world’s first and only luxury golf and leisure car. Inspired by Danish design and a passion for automobiles. A Garia unifies the convenience of a golf and leisure car with unrivaled attention to luxury, quality, and aesthetics. Garia vehicles are available in street legal, non-street legal, in two, four-and six- seater versions.
Garia is a privately held company, founded in 2005 - headquartered in Denmark, with a subsidiary in the U.S.

www.garia.com

Founded in 1996 in the southwest of France, Goupil designs and manufactures electric vehicles for various target groups such as municipalities, industry and last-mile operators.

In 2011, the company is acquired by Polaris, the American group leader in off-road recreational vehicles.

The integration into Polaris is a real opportunity for Goupil: thanks to the strength of this large group, development accelerates and the brand can assert itself in France and abroad.

In recent years, thanks to the human and financial resources of the Polaris Group, it has been possible to develop its products and expand its range:

2015 : Launch of the Lithium G5 with a range of more than 100 Km and a payload of one ton.
2016 : Launch of a brand new vehicle, the G4, which follows the same philosophy as its predecessor, the G3, while offering better performances (Max. speed, range, payload ...).
2019 : Launch of the G2, smaller than the G4 and G5, handy and smart.
One solution - one vehicle

Goupil is the inventor of electric utility vehicles for urban and industrial use. The vehicles are not intended to replace fuel engines for long distances or high speeds, but rather for applications where the relevance of electricity cannot be questioned.

Thus, the vehicles are ideal for so-called stop & go applications such as irrigation, waste collection or delivery services.

Source: www.goupil-ev.com

HDK engages in the R&D, manufacture, and sale of electric vehicles, focusing on golf carts, hunting buggies, sightseeing carts, and utility carts for use in many situations. The company was founded in 2007 with offices in Florida and California, committed to providing innovative high quality products and services that meet or exceed the expectations of clients. The main factory is located in Xiamen, China, covering an area of 88,000 square meters.

Serving clients in 14 languages, HDK has been a world-leading supplier of electric vehicles—with over 400000 units installed, popularly sold in over 30 countries around the world. For over 15 years, HDK's products have been recognized in international electric vehicle markets as the most advanced and highest-quality products available. 

Source: www.hdkexpress.com

 　Founded in 2004, Guangdong Lvtong New Energy Electric Vehicle Technology Co. LTD. is located in Hexi Industry Park, Zhengteng Industry Zone, Hongmei, Dongguan, Guangdong, China. With an area of more than 50000 square meters, the capacity is about 2000 units per month. Meanwhile, with the help of advanced German technology, they have developed their own series of vehicles that meet the technical standards of imported electric cars. The trim parts are made of special PP Automobile Engineering material, which is characterized by fashion, beauty and great durability. These cars are equipped with unique and customized operation system, agile and smooth steering system and independent suspension.

Source: www.lvtong.com.cn

Marshell is one of the most well-known manufacturers of electric vehicles and battery-related automotive electronic components in China. Marshell has three factories in China, in Shanghai, Zhaoqing and Anhui, owns 300,000 square meters workshops, over 100 experienced engineers and more than 1600 skilled workers.

Since 2002, Marshell has accumulated rich production experience in this field. With 8 production lines, Marshell can deliver 15 containers of electric vehicles every day, such as golf carts, sightseeing buses, low-speed vehicles, hunting carts, classic cars, utility vehicles, scooters, cleaning vehicles, electric forklifts, electric pallet trucks, electric stackers, electric tractors, etc.

To guarantee trustworthy quality, they use imported key components from reliable leading brands, such as American KDS motor, American Curtis controller, Canadian Delta-Q charger and US brand Trojan or US battery for overseas markets. To keep costs down, they also manufacture components in their factory, such as chassis, fiberglass body and tooling, paint, injection mold, etc.

Every single vehicle is 100% tested. IQC, PQC and QA procedures are used to test materials, inspect products on assembly lines and evaluate goods before shipment.

Source: www.marshell.net

In 1970, Melex developed technical documentation in the Research and Development Department in Mielec, Poland (Department of WSK Mielec Aircraft Factory) based on the requirements of U.S. importers and dispatch of 10 pieces of information material about Melex electric vehicles.  

Then, in 1971, serial production of Melex electric vehicles started in the newly created department of WSK Aircraft Factory in Mielec, Poland.

Due to the U.S. embargo in the 1980s, there was a decline in sales in the United States. The search for new customers and diversification of products began.

Then in 1993 came the process of privatization in Poland. The activity as an independent company was started, payload models were developed

On September 1, 2004 Melex Ltd. was bought by Andrzej and Dorota Tyszkiewicz. The company started its activity as a private company under the name of Melex A&D Tyszkiewicz Sp. J. The dealer network was expanded all over the world and special models were introduced into the offer.  

In 2009 the models of the new line N.CAR (3XX) were introduced into the offer,
In 2014 came the newest line N.CLASSIC (4XX).
In 2017, they launched a new project called N.TRUCK, a modular commercial vehicle with electric drive and a maximum load capacity of up to 2 tons, for transport in urban and industrial areas.

Source: www.melex.com.pl

Michael Tomberlin founded his original company in 1992, as a manufacturer of different types of low speed electric vehicles and street legal transportation. In 2006, this transformed into Tomberlin Automotive Group, a subsidiary of Columbia ParCar Custom Carts, Inc.

Source: www.teetimegolfcars.com

Yamaha electric golf carts were first launched in the United States in 1978 with a gas-powered model. The first model was named the G1 golf cart and was first available with a 2-cycle gas engine. The next year in 1979, they came out with the 36 volt electric cart. In the 1980s, Yamaha developed a manufacturing facility in Georgia and built its first four-cycle gas cart.
Yamaha has introduced three series of golf carts onto the market - the G Series, the Drive Series, and the Adventure Series. Most Yamaha golf cart series include both gas and electric models.

1979 to 2006 Yamaha G-Series vehicles are sold under Sun Classic, Fleet Classic, Fleet Master, Yamahauler, Ultima, G-Max, and U-Max. G1 is Yamaha's very first golf cart model. Later in 1985, they launched the Yamaha G2 golf cart model. In 1986, the company came out with the G3, Sun classic, which was later replaced by the larger G5. 
These models came with a full hard roof with a tempered glass windshield and a windshield wiper. They also have headlights and turn signals. In 1993, the company introduced a utility cart, the G11, with the name "Yamahauler." This model is equipped with a heavy-duty steel front bumper and an aluminum box. In 1995, the G14 was introduced in the market, followed by the G16 and G19 in 1996, Yamaha's first 48-volt cart.

The Yamaha Golf Cart Company has launched the Drive series golf cart with luxurious technology (2007 to 2016) The all-new Drive models feature bold new colors and body styling. The Drive is also known as the G29.

2009 to 2018 Yamaha launched the Adventure golf cart models. They are comfortable for riding around the neighborhood. With the Adventure golf cart models, you can handle whatever challenges your day may hold.

Source: www.golfcartgarage.com