How much does it cost to run a golf cart?
A golf cart costs about 27¢ a day, $8.21 a month and $99 a year at typical use (10 miles a day) and the U.S. average rate of 17.99¢/kWh. Electric golf carts use about 0.12-0.18 kWh per mile at the wall, roughly 1-2 kWh a day for neighborhood use.
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Cost by setting
| Setting | Watts | Per day | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lithium charger | 900 | 27¢ | $8.21 | $99 |
| Lead-acid 48 V charger | 1,100 | 27¢ | $8.21 | $99 |
At 10 miles a day and 17.99¢/kWh.
Cost to run a golf cart in every state
The same golf cart costs $67 a year in North Dakota and $238 in Hawaii, at each state's average residential rate (12 months ending July 2026).
| State | Rate | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 12.32¢ | $5.62 | $67 |
| Idaho | 12.65¢ | $5.78 | $69 |
| Nebraska | 12.86¢ | $5.87 | $70 |
| Louisiana | 12.99¢ | $5.93 | $71 |
| Utah | 13.32¢ | $6.08 | $73 |
| Nevada | 13.36¢ | $6.10 | $73 |
| Arkansas | 13.43¢ | $6.13 | $74 |
| Tennessee | 13.56¢ | $6.19 | $74 |
| Oklahoma | 13.70¢ | $6.25 | $75 |
| Montana | 13.84¢ | $6.32 | $76 |
| Kentucky | 13.92¢ | $6.36 | $76 |
| Missouri | 13.95¢ | $6.37 | $76 |
| Wyoming | 14.01¢ | $6.40 | $77 |
| Washington | 14.12¢ | $6.45 | $77 |
| Iowa | 14.13¢ | $6.45 | $77 |
| South Dakota | 14.20¢ | $6.48 | $78 |
| Mississippi | 14.77¢ | $6.74 | $81 |
| North Carolina | 14.77¢ | $6.74 | $81 |
| Kansas | 15.09¢ | $6.89 | $83 |
| Georgia | 15.12¢ | $6.90 | $83 |
| New Mexico | 15.32¢ | $6.99 | $84 |
| Florida | 15.39¢ | $7.03 | $84 |
| Arizona | 15.40¢ | $7.03 | $84 |
| West Virginia | 15.48¢ | $7.07 | $85 |
| Oregon | 15.50¢ | $7.08 | $85 |
| South Carolina | 15.64¢ | $7.14 | $86 |
| Texas | 15.96¢ | $7.29 | $87 |
| Minnesota | 16.22¢ | $7.41 | $89 |
| Alabama | 16.44¢ | $7.51 | $90 |
| Virginia | 16.48¢ | $7.52 | $90 |
| Colorado | 16.58¢ | $7.57 | $91 |
| Indiana | 16.94¢ | $7.73 | $93 |
| Delaware | 17.79¢ | $8.12 | $97 |
| Ohio | 18.25¢ | $8.33 | $100 |
| Wisconsin | 18.74¢ | $8.56 | $103 |
| Illinois | 18.79¢ | $8.58 | $103 |
| Pennsylvania | 20.70¢ | $9.45 | $113 |
| Maryland | 21.03¢ | $9.60 | $115 |
| Michigan | 21.05¢ | $9.61 | $115 |
| New Jersey | 23.78¢ | $10.86 | $130 |
| Vermont | 23.80¢ | $10.87 | $130 |
| District of Columbia | 24.20¢ | $11.05 | $133 |
| New Hampshire | 26.67¢ | $12.18 | $146 |
| Alaska | 26.85¢ | $12.26 | $147 |
| Connecticut | 27.99¢ | $12.78 | $153 |
| New York | 28.39¢ | $12.96 | $156 |
| Rhode Island | 29.27¢ | $13.36 | $160 |
| Maine | 29.31¢ | $13.38 | $161 |
| Massachusetts | 30.43¢ | $13.89 | $167 |
| California | 32.99¢ | $15.06 | $181 |
| Hawaii | 43.51¢ | $19.87 | $238 |
How to cut the cost
- Switch to lithium batteries; they charge about 20% more efficiently than lead-acid.
- Don't leave lead-acid carts on an old non-automatic charger for days.
- Keep tires at the recommended 18-22 psi.
- Check water levels monthly in flooded lead-acid batteries.
Cheaper ways to get the job done
More efficient charging and lighter weight than lead-acid.
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Compare with similar appliances
| Appliance | Watts | Typical use | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf cart | 900 | 10 miles a day | $8.21 | $99 |
| E-bike | 100 | 10 miles a day | $1.37 | $16 |
| Electric car | 7,200 | 37 miles a day | $66.86 | $802 |
| Battery tender / trickle charger | 10 | 24 hours a day for 5 months a year | $1.31 | $7 |
| Electric motorcycle | 1,300 | 20 miles a day | $10.95 | $131 |
| Level 1 EV charging | 1,440 | 37 miles a day | $68.88 | $827 |
| Prius Prime (plug-in hybrid) | 3,300 | 30 miles a day | $46.00 | $552 |
Head-to-head comparisons
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to run a golf cart per hour?
A golf cart drawing 900 watts uses 0.90 kWh per hour. At the U.S. average of 17.99¢/kWh that's 16¢ per hour. In North Dakota (12.32¢) it's 11¢. In Hawaii (43.51¢) it's 39¢.
How much does it cost to run a golf cart per month?
At typical use (10 miles a day), a golf cart costs about $8.21 a month and $99 a year, at the U.S. average rate. Enter your ZIP in the calculator above for your utility's rate.
How many watts does a golf cart use?
Most golf carts use 500 to 1,500 watts, depending on the setting (lithium charger 900 W, lead-acid 48 v charger 1,100 W). Check the label on the back or bottom for your model's exact rating.
How many kWh does a golf cart use?
About 1.50 kWh a day and 548 kWh a year at typical use (10 miles a day).
Does a golf cart use a lot of electricity?
It's a moderate load: 548 kWh a year is about 5% of the average U.S. home's yearly use.
Is it cheaper to run a golf cart or an e-bike?
At typical use, a golf cart costs about $99 a year versus $16 for an e-bike. So the e-bike is cheaper by about $82 a year. Use the comparison table above to compare them at your own settings.
How can I lower the cost of running a golf cart?
- Switch to lithium batteries; they charge about 20% more efficiently than lead-acid.
- Don't leave lead-acid carts on an old non-automatic charger for days.
- Keep tires at the recommended 18-22 psi.
Rates updated 2026-10-21: EIA data through July 2026. Typical wattage and usage reviewed against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer specs. Methodology.