How Long Does an Electric Golf Cart Take to Charge? A 2025 Charging Guide

As electric golf carts become more common in communities, golf courses, resorts, and industrial settings, one practical question emerges for every owner: How long does an electric golf cart take to charge?
The answer depends on several factors—battery type, charger power, voltage system, and overall battery condition.

Lead-Acid Golf Cart Batteries: 6–10 Hours

Traditional deep-cycle lead-acid batteries, still widely used in 36V, 48V, and 72V golf carts, typically require:

• 6–10 hours for a full charge

• Older or heavily used batteries may take slightly longer

• Smart chargers automatically switch to maintenance mode when full

Charging time depends on:

• Battery age

• Amp-hour (AH) capacity

• Charger output (commonly 15–25 amps)

Lead-acid batteries should be charged after every use to maintain lifespan, as they are sensitive to partial discharge cycles.

Lithium Batteries: 2–5 Hours

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄) batteries—now the premium choice—charge significantly faster:

• 2–5 hours for a full charge with a standard lithium charger

• High-output chargers can reduce this to 2–3 hours

Why lithium charges faster:

• Higher charge acceptance

• More efficient energy transfer

• Smart BMS optimizes charging automatically

Lithium batteries also support partial charging, making them ideal for rental fleets or daily high-usage applications.

Charging Time by Voltage System (Approximate)

72V systems usually have higher capacity packs, so charging takes slightly longer, but lithium 72V packs still maintain efficient charge times.

What Affects Charging Time?

Several factors influence how long a golf cart takes to fully recharge:

• Battery capacity (AH rating)

• Charger amperage

• Battery age and health

• Temperature

• Depth of discharge before charging

In hot or cold climates, charging automatically slows down to protect battery life.

Fast Charging: Is It Safe?

For lithium batteries, fast charging is generally safe if:

• The charger is compatible

• The BMS manages temperature and voltage

• Charging is done within recommended settings

Lead-acid batteries cannot handle fast charging and doing so may shorten their lifespan or cause overheating.

Real-World Charging Scenario

A typical electric golf cart used for daily driving will often follow this pattern:

• Plug in after use

• Charge overnight

• Ready with full range the next morning

Fleet operations—such as resorts or rental services—prefer lithium because carts can be topped up during short breaks.

Conclusion

An electric golf cart typically takes 6–10 hours to charge with lead-acid batteries and 2–5 hours with lithium batteries. Charging speed depends on voltage, battery chemistry, charger type, and overall battery condition.