Wondering if your golf cart should stay plugged in constantly? Learn the risks, battery care tips, and best practices for maintaining long battery life.
One of the most common questions among golf cart users is whether it's safe or even beneficial to leave a golf cart plugged in all the time. With modern electric vehicles, including golf carts, becoming more advanced, the charging habits you adopt can greatly impact battery health. The confusion stems from conflicting advice and outdated charging technology.
Some older chargers continuously push current as long as they are plugged in, potentially overcharging the battery and causing premature wear. On the other hand, newer smart chargers—especially those paired with golf cart lithium battery systems—are designed to shut off or trickle charge when the battery is full. Knowing the difference is key to making the right decision.
While it may seem convenient to leave your golf cart plugged in at all times, doing so can have several disadvantages—particularly if your charger or battery system isn’t designed to handle continuous charging.
Traditional lead-acid golf cart battery systems are prone to overcharging when left plugged in. Over time, this can cause electrolyte levels to evaporate, lead to corrosion on battery terminals, and even warp internal components.
Constant connection to power can create risks such as overheating, fire hazards, or short circuits—especially if the charger is old or damaged.
Overcharging or maintaining a constant charge state can reduce the number of charge cycles a battery can endure. This shortens the overall lifespan and increases your long-term costs.
Leaving your charger plugged in 24/7 may also draw unnecessary electricity, adding to your power bill without any practical benefit if the cart is not in use.
The type of battery in your golf cart plays a major role in determining the safest charging behavior. Traditional lead-acid batteries are more sensitive to overcharging and require more active maintenance. In contrast, modern golf cart lithium battery systems come with built-in battery management systems (BMS) that regulate the charging process.
TARA Electric Vehicles, for example, uses advanced lithium technology in its carts, which includes smart features that prevent overcharging, reduce power waste, and optimize battery lifespan. These systems make it safer to leave your cart plugged in occasionally—but even then, it’s not necessary to do so continuously.
Make it a habit to recharge your golf cart after each use, especially if you’ve used more than 30% of the battery capacity.
Invest in a smart charger that automatically turns off or switches to trickle mode when the battery is fully charged.
Unless you’re using a battery system with a built-in BMS like those found in TARA carts, avoid keeping your cart plugged in 24/7.
If you’re storing the cart for the winter or an extended period, disconnect the battery or check the charge periodically rather than keeping it plugged in the whole time.
The answer to whether you should leave your golf cart plugged in all the time depends largely on the type of battery and charger your cart uses. Lead-acid batteries can suffer from overcharging, while lithium batteries with a proper management system, like those in TARA vehicles, offer more flexibility and safety.
