In recent years, a surprising trend has begun gaining momentum across the US: Golf carts are being increasingly adopted as primary modes of transportation in communities, beach towns, and other areas. The traditional image of golf carts as mere mobility aides for silver-haired retirees to traverse the greens is shifting rapidly. If you’re skeptical, I can’t blame you. But the times are changing, so let’s dive deeper into why golf carts are making excellent car replacements for so many people.
Embracing the simplicity and efficiency of golf carts
For starters, golf carts are the epitome of simplicity and efficiency when it comes to four-wheeled electric vehicles. They are designed to move people around and little more. Forget the heated seats or the infotainment systems (though to be fair you’ll find high-end golf carts with those features, too).
These mobility buggies are compact, easy to operate, and consume significantly less power compared to conventional cars. That makes them an ideal choice for short, regular commutes such as neighborhood errands or trips to nearby recreational spots.
Moreover, electric golf carts are an eco-friendly alternative to gas-guzzling cars. They can help reduce your carbon footprint by operating on rechargeable batteries that sip away at energy compared to conventional combustion-powered engines that burn through gas and pollute the air we breathe. This shift toward sustainability, coupled with increased vehicle costs and higher gas prices, makes golf carts even more attractive from the economic side, in addition to their simplicity and ease of operation.
Versatility and customizability
Golf carts are also incredibly versatile and customizable. They can be adapted to carry not just passengers, but also cargo, making them useful for a number of different tasks from hauling groceries to transporting gardening tools.
In fact, many golf carts are actually used for more utility-oriented tasks instead of just as people movers. There are entire lines of utility-focused golf carts that come with truck-style beds.
The janky buggies of yesteryear have also been majorly upgraded with features that make them feel more like traditional cars, at least from the perspective of comfort and features.
These mobility alternatives are no longer confined to basic golf course navigation or cruising Del Boca Vista quickly enough to be first in line at dinner for the early bird special. Today, they come with various optional features such as rain covers and removable doors, upgraded upholstery, entertainment systems, custom paint jobs and even lift kits. Lifted golf carts are one of the fastest growing categories and are even finding popularity among younger users.
We’re also starting to see more street-legal golf carts that meet the requirements of low-speed vehicles (LSVs) and thus can be registered, tagged, and insured for road use. All of this variation means users can personalize their carts to reflect their style and needs.
Lifted golf carts like this one are becoming increasingly popular
Accessibility and community
Golf carts are easily accessible and foster a sense of community in many areas that have adapted their towns and communities to widespread cart use. In many towns and retirement communities, they promote slow-paced living and encourage more face-to-face interactions. Cities like Peachtree City in Georgia have become famous for massive adoption of golf carts and the inclusion of specific roads just for them. Island communities like Key Biscayne have also seen a huge uptick in golf cart usage, to the point where many homes have a second smaller garage door and section of the garage just for a golf cart. The island has even had to revamp its local laws to address the ballooning number of carts on its roads.
Such heavy golf cart use helps reduce the physical barriers that come with traditional vehicles, providing an open and friendly mode of transportation.
Additionally, for the elderly or those with mobility issues, golf carts provide an easy-to-access mode of transportation. The low speed combined with the ease of getting in and out of the vehicle make it a convenient and safe choice for many drivers who have given up their keys and no longer feel comfortable driving conventional cars.
Economic considerations
While the initial purchase price of a golf cart might seem steep, it’s important to factor in the long-term cost savings. Many people are shocked by the price of these vehicles, which generally start at around US $8,000 and can quickly increase to $12,000 or more when including nicer accessories.
Golf carts have major cost advantages though, including that they are less expensive to maintain and operate than traditional cars. When you consider the cost of gas, insurance, and regular car maintenance, a golf cart can often be a more economical choice.
Safety and regulation
While golf carts are generally safe to operate, it’s important to understand local laws and regulations. Many communities have embraced light electric four-wheelers, and thus, have specific rules in place for their use. While they can’t match the speed of cars, they often include safety features like seat belts, headlights, taillights, turn signals, and mirrors, making them somewhat more suitable for local, low-speed travel in light traffic areas, where allowed by law.
It is important to remember though that most golf carts are not legally allowed to operate on public roads, unless a local ordinance has made specific exceptions for them. Some manufacturers have begun producing LSV-edition golf carts that do meet federal requirements for on-road usage, and we’ll be discussing that topic in-depth soon in a multi-part LSV series next week.
One other aspect of safety to consider isn’t just that of the occupants, but also of those around the vehicle. Pedestrians and cyclists are at more danger than ever before due to the increasing size and weight of vehicles in the US. The single largest factor in determining the fatality rate of crashes between cars and cyclists/pedestrians is car speed. Slower-moving vehicles as well as lighter vehicles make everyone around them safer, and that’s another important consideration to keep in mind.
Golf carts are getting fancier every year!
The future of golf carts
Looking forward, the popularity of golf carts as everyday vehicles doesn’t seem to be waning. As more communities adopt golf cart-friendly policies and infrastructure, and as manufacturers continue to innovate with improved performance, comfort, and safety features, the role of golf carts is set to expand.
In conclusion, it’s safe to say that the days of golf carts being just for golfers are long gone. They are an efficient, versatile, and eco-friendly alternative to traditional cars, particularly suited for short-distance travel and community living. As we tread further into an era of sustainability, these compact vehicles are emerging as a popular choice for those seeking to minimize their environmental impact, simplify their lives, and strengthen their local connections.
They might not be appropriate for everyone, but many communities with local golf cart laws and with light traffic roads could serve as perfect locations to replace many vehicle trips with golf carts. So next time you’re considering a new vehicle, why not give the humble golf cart a second look?
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Hyundai’s first three-row electric SUV is finally here, and it’s even better than we expected. The IONIQ 9 arrives with “class-leading” interior space, up to 335 miles of range, and much more. Hyundai is showing off just how spacious the IONIQ 9 really is.
Hyundai highlights how spacious the 3-row IONIQ 9 is
It’s been less than two months since the first IONIQ 9 models rolled off the assembly line at Hyundai’s massive new manufacturing plant in Georgia.
With its first three-row electric SUV about to reach dealerships any day, Hyundai wants you to know that the IONIQ 9 is spacious enough for just about anyone.
“The IONIQ 9 is more than just a vehicle; it’s a space where life happens,” Hyundai Motor America’s marketing chief, Sean Gilpin, explained.
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Hyundai launched a new ad campaign on Friday, ” Space to Connect, ” to highlight the SUV’s class-leading interior space.
With the second and third-row seats folded, the IONIQ 9 boasts up to 2,462 liters (87 cubic feet) of interior cargo space. That’s even more than the 2025 Ford Explorer with up to 2,429 liters (85.8 cubic feet). With all seats upright, the IONIQ 9 still has 620 liters of cargo capacity.
It’s not only spacious, but the IONIQ 9’s interior is packed with Hyundai’s most advanced software and connectivity tech.
As part of a curved panoramic display, the infotainment system includes dual 12″ driver display and infotainment screens.
Earlier this month, Hyundai announced that the 2026 IONIQ 9 will start at $58,995. With a $1,600 destination fee, the base RWD S model, which has a range of up to 335 miles, also starts at $60,555.
For $64,365 (including destination), you can upgrade to the AWD SE model with 303 horsepower and 320 miles range. Meanwhile, the range-topping IONIQ 9 AWD Performance Calligraphy Design trim, which gets added Matte paint, 21″ wheels, and 311 miles driving range, starts at $78,090.
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 Model
EV Powertrain
Drivetrain
Driving Range (miles)
Starting Price (including destination fee)
IONIQ 9 RWD S
160-kW (215-HP) Electric Motor
Rear- Wheel Drive
335
$60,555
IONIQ 9 AWD SE
226.1 kW (303-HP) Dual Electric Motors
All-Wheel Drive
320
$64,365
IONIQ 9 AWD SEL
226.1-kW (303-HP) Dual Electric Motors
All-Wheel Drive
320
$67,920
IONIQ 9 AWD PERFORMANCE LIMITED
314.6-kW (422-HP) Dual Electric Motors
All-Wheel Drive
311
$72,850
IONIQ 9 AWD PERFORMANCE CALLIGRAPHY
314.6-kW (422-HP) Dual Electric Motors
All-Wheel Drive
311
$76,590
IONIQ 9 AWD PERFORMANCE CALLIGRAPHY DESIGN
314.6-kW (422-HP) Dual Electric Motors
All-Wheel Drive
311
$78,090
2026 Hyundai IONIQ 9 prices and driving range by trim (*including a $1,600 destination fee)
The IONIQ 9 has a native NACS port to access Tesla Superchargers. Using a 350 kW DC fast charger, it can charge from 10% to 80% in as little as 24 minutes.
While you wait for the three-row IONIQ 9, Hyundai’s smaller IONIQ 5 is currently on sale. With leases starting at just $209 per month, the IONIQ 5 is hard to pass up right now. You can use our link to find Hyundai IONIQ 5 models at a dealer near you today.
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Federal tax credits are starting to waver under the current administration, but as of May 2025, you can still take advantage of up to $4,000 off the purchase of a used EV. If you’d rather not listed to me talk, you can skip right to all the BEVs and PHEVs that currently qualify by clicking here.
How the current tax credit works for used EVs
As part of revised terms in the Inflation Reduction Act signed by President Biden, federal tax credits have been extended (for now) and include revamped benefits for used EV purchases. That said, your used EV purchase must fit certain criteria to qualify for a credit up to $4,000. Per the IRS:
Beginning January 1, 2023, if you buy a qualified previously owned electric vehicle (EV) or fuel cell vehicle (FCV) from a licensed dealer for $25,000 or less, you may be eligible for a previously owned clean vehicle tax credit under Internal Revenue Code Section 25E.
Used EVs face terms that offer a credit equal to 30% of the sale price (up to $4,000). That should help consumers like yourselves get some change back in their pockets at the end of the fiscal year, as long as you stick to these terms as outlined by the IRS.
To qualify as a customer, you must:
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Be an individual who bought the vehicle for use and not for resale
Must be an individual (no businesses)
Not be the original owner
Not be claimed as a dependent on another person’s tax return
Not have claimed another used clean vehicle credit in the 3 years before the EV purchase date
Modified adjusted gross income must not exceed $75k for individuals, $112,500 for heads of households, and $150k for joint returns
Additionally, in order for used EV to qualify for federal tax credits, it must:
Have a sale price of $25,000 or less
Have a model year at least 2 years earlier than the calendar year when you buy it
For example, a vehicle purchased in 2023 would need a model year of 2021 or older
Not have already been transferred after August 16, 2022, to a qualified buyer
Have a gross vehicle weight rating of less than 14,000 pounds
Be an eligible FCV or plug-in EV with a battery capacity of least 7 kilowatt hours (kWh)
Be for use primarily in the United States
Purchased from a certified dealer:
For qualified used EVs, the dealer reports required information to you at the time of sale and to the IRS
A used vehicle qualifies for tax credit only once in its lifetime
These used EVs qualify for credits as of May 2025
It’s important to note that this is not the end-all, be-all list of used EVs that qualify for tax credits in the US. As always, we recommend speaking with a tax professional and EV dealer directly to ensure what you and your new vehicle qualify for. Without further ado, here are the all-electric models that currently qualify:
Tesla (TSLA) shareholders were getting excited on social media about a “Tesla prototype” that turned out to be a competitor’s prototype vehicle.
A new electric vehicle prototype started showing up on social media, and Tesla shareholders started sharing it, assuming it was a Tesla prototype.
A Tesla shareholder part of the “Rebellionaire” group on X, a group of Tesla stock pumpers, even shared it, claiming that it is “what gets him ultra bullish” on Tesla:
The only problem is that it wasn’t even a Tesla prototype.
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Faraday Future (FF) came out and confirmed that it is a prototype mule of their new ‘Faraday X’:
That’s our testing vehicle, a Faraday X Prototype Mule.
FF is better known for its very high-end FF91, but it is currently developing less expensive next-generation vehicles under its new Faraday X brand.
Tesla shareholders got excited because some are still holding on to the idea that Tesla is going to release new cheaper electric vehicles under new models.
Tesla has confirmed all that in their most recent financial results and earnings calls, but some are still holding on to the idea that Tesla plans to release completely new models due to Musk’s comments.
Electrek’s Take
I think part of Tesla’s problems right now are due to its shareholder base not recognizing its problems and blindly believing what Elon Musk says, despite a long history of misleading and plain wrong.
This is a prime example.
Tesla has now confirmed what we have been reporting for a year: the new vehicles are just going to be stripped-down versions of Model 3 and Model Y.
No new models are coming to market other than supposedly the Cybercab, but as long as this is only planned without a steering wheel, it is useless until it can solve unsupervised self-driving, which it has yet to do.
This is a problem that shareholders are either ignoring or don’t believe.
Tesla launched a single new model in the last five years, the Cybertruck, which was a commercial flop.
At some point, shareholders must wake up and realize that Musk is destroying Tesla’s EV business and that self-driving vehicles are not coming to save the day.
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