If you’re standing over an open battery compartment wondering “How many batteries is this thing supposed to have?” you’re not alone.
The number of batteries in a golf cart depends mainly on its system voltage (36V, 48V or 72V) and how that voltage is built from individual 6V, 8V or 12V batteries. When you upgrade to lithium, things change again: instead of six or eight separate blocks, you may end up with one 36V or 48V lithium pack.
This guide walks through:
- Typical battery counts for 36V, 48V and 72V carts
- How different combinations (6×6V, 6×8V, 4×12V, etc.) add up
- Brand examples (Club Car, EZGO, Yamaha)
- What happens to “battery count” when you convert to lithium
Quick Answer – How Many Batteries Does a Golf Cart Take?
Most electric golf carts use between four and eight batteries, depending on:
- System voltage: 36V, 48V or 72V
- Individual battery voltage: 6V, 8V or 12V
- Whether the cart is on lead-acid or lithium
A simple way to think about it:
| System voltage | Common lead-acid setups | Typical number of batteries |
|---|---|---|
| 36V | 6 × 6V, sometimes 3 × 12V | 3–6 |
| 48V | 6 × 8V, 4 × 12V, sometimes 8 × 6V | 4–8 |
| 72V | 6 × 12V | 6 |
| 48V lithium | 1 × 48V pack, or 4 × 12V lithium in series | 1–4 |
So when someone asks, “How many batteries does a golf cart take?” the honest answer is:
It depends on your system voltage and how that voltage is built, not just on the cart model.
System Voltage vs Battery Count – 36V, 48V and 72V Explained
Before worrying about the exact number of batteries, it helps to understand how they are connected.
Series Connection in Golf Carts
Golf cart batteries are almost always wired in series:
- The positive terminal of one battery connects to the negative of the next.
- Voltages add up across the string.
- Current capacity (amp-hours) is essentially that of a single battery (for a simple series string).
That’s why:
- 6 × 6V in series → 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 = 36V
- 6 × 8V in series → 48V
- 4 × 12V in series → 48V
- 6 × 12V in series → 72V
From Individual Voltage to Pack Voltage
You can always check a configuration with a simple formula:
System voltage = number of batteries × nominal voltage of each battery (in series)
Examples:
- 6 × 6V = 36V
- 6 × 8V = 48V
- 8 × 6V = 48V
- 4 × 12V = 48V
- 6 × 12V = 72V
This is why two different carts can both be “48V” while the battery compartment looks completely different.
Why Different Combinations Exist
Manufacturers use different combinations because of:
- Physical layout – what fits under the seat or in the tray
- Capacity options – e.g. 6J× 8V with certain Ah vs 4 × 12V with a different Ah
- Cost and availability – some markets prefer one format over another
- Historical design – older models vs newer revisions
The good news: once you learn to read voltage labels and count units, you can quickly understand any golf cart battery layout.
How Many Batteries Does a 36V Golf Cart Use?
36V systems are common on older or more basic electric carts.
Typical 36V Configurations
The classic 36V setup is:
- 6 × 6V deep-cycle batteries in series → 36V
You may also see:
- 3 × 12V batteries in series → still 36V on paper, but usually with different capacity and lifespan characteristics.
Most 36V carts that were originally built for golf course use came with 6 × 6V golf cart batteries from the factory.
Where 36V Golf Carts Are Commonly Used
36V carts often appear in:
- Older fleets that have not been upgraded
- Residential communities and light-duty applications
- Some budget models where lower performance is acceptable
They can still work well on flatter routes and lighter loads, but for long, hilly courses most modern fleets have moved to 48V or higher.
How to Confirm a 36V Setup
You can confirm whether your cart is 36V by:
- Counting batteries and reading labels:
- 6 batteries × 6V each → 36V
- Measuring total pack voltage (with a multimeter after rest):
- A full 36V lead-acid pack will read a bit above 36V; a discharged one will be lower.
- Checking the cart nameplate or manual for “36V” system voltage.
How Many Batteries Does a 48V Golf Cart Use?
48V is now the most common voltage for modern golf cart fleets.
Standard 48V Layouts – 6×8V vs 4×12V vs 8×6V
A 48V cart can be built from several combinations:
- 6 × 8V batteries in series = 48V
- 4 × 12V batteries in series = 48V
- In some cases: 8 × 6V batteries in series = 48V
The combinations that show up most frequently in practice are:
- 6 × 8V
- 4 × 12V
Examples Across Club Car, EZGO and Yamaha
Different brands and years use different layouts:
- Some 48V Club Car models have used 6 × 8V, some briefly used 4 × 12V before returning to 6 × 8V.
- Many EZGO and Yamaha 48V models also use 6 × 8V as a standard configuration, but you can find 4 × 12V layouts in certain years and trim levels.
Because of this variation, it’s always safest to:
- Read the voltage on one battery (6V, 8V or 12V), and
- Count how many identical units are wired in series.
Capacity and Maintenance Differences
Even when the system voltage is the same, these layouts behave differently:
- 6 × 8V
- Often used where higher cycle life and capacity are desired
- More cells to maintain and water than 4 × 12V
- 4 × 12V
- Fewer batteries to move and replace
- In some cases, lower practical cycle life compared with a well-chosen 6 × 8V set
From a maintenance point of view, both layouts still require proper watering and charging if they are flooded lead-acid.
Battery Counts in 72V and High-Voltage Golf Carts
72V and other high-voltage systems are less common but important in performance and utility carts.
Common 72V Configurations
A typical 72V pack is:
- 6 × 12V batteries in series → 72V
You may occasionally see custom or aftermarket setups with different combinations, but 6 × 12V is a widely used pattern.
When 72V Systems Are Used
72V system carts tend to appear when:
- Higher speed and stronger hill-climb capability are required
- Carts carry heavier loads or are used as utility vehicles
- The course or route has long, steep climbs where extra power helps
Extra Safety Considerations at Higher Voltage
Higher voltage means:
- More attention to insulation, cable routing and connector quality
- Greater shock hazard if wiring is damaged or modified incorrectly
- A stronger need to follow manufacturer guidelines when changing battery type or layout
Any major reconfiguration of a 72V system should be done with help from a knowledgeable technician or manufacturer.
Club Car, EZGO and Yamaha – Typical Battery Counts by Brand
Many search queries combine brand + “how many batteries”, so let’s group the patterns.
Club Car
- Older Club Car models were often 36V with 6 × 6V batteries.
- Later models moved to 48V, frequently with 6 × 8V batteries.
- Some generations experimented with 4 × 12V layouts for 48V, but many fleets moved back to 6 × 8V for better durability.
EZGO
- EZGO has produced both 36V and 48V electric carts.
- 36V EZGO carts commonly use 6 × 6V batteries.
- 48V EZGO carts often use 6 × 8V, and in some cases 8 × 6V or 4 × 12V depending on the model and year.
Yamaha
- Yamaha carts also appear in both 36V and 48V variants.
- Many 36V models again use 6 × 6V.
- 48V models are frequently built around 6 × 8V batteries, though specific layouts vary by model line and production year.
Important:
Even within the same brand and voltage, layouts can differ. Always check:
- Battery labels
- Count of units wired in series
- Model plate or manual
Can You Change the Number or Voltage of Batteries?
Once owners understand the basic combinations, a natural question appears:
“Can I change from six 8V batteries to four 12V, or from six 6V to three 12V?”
In principle, yes—if total system voltage stays the same and everything else is correctly engineered. In practice, there are risks.
Swapping 6×6V for 3×12V in a 36V Cart
Electrically:
- 6 × 6V = 36V
- 3 × 12V = 36V
But there are differences in:
- Capacity (Ah) – you may gain or lose runtime depending on the specific batteries.
- Cycle life – some 12V designs are less robust under deep cycling than GC2-style 6V golf cart batteries.
- Physical layout – battery trays, hold-downs and cable routing might need adjustment.
If capacity, dimensions, cable lengths and charger profile are not properly matched, performance and life can suffer.
Swapping 6×8V for 4×12V in a 48V Cart
Similarly:
- 6 × 8V = 48V
- 4 × 12V = 48V
But:
- 12V batteries may have different internal design and plate thickness.
- With fewer units, each battery carries more of the total load; any weak unit affects the whole pack.
- The charger must be appropriate for the chosen configuration and chemistry.
In general, manufacturers choose 6 × 8V layouts for robust deep-cycle performance. Swapping to 4 × 12V just to reduce battery count is not always an upgrade.
Why Mixing Voltages, Capacities or Ages Is Risky
Some key rules for series packs:
- All batteries should have the same voltage rating, type, age and capacity.
- A single weakest battery drags down the whole string.
- Mixing new and old batteries often leads to the new ones aging quickly to match the old ones.
If you plan to change the number or voltage of batteries, it’s worth treating it as an engineering change—not just a parts swap.
How Many Batteries Do You Need When Upgrading to Lithium?
When upgrading from lead-acid to lithium, the idea of “six or eight batteries” often disappears.
One 36V / 48V Lithium Pack Replacing Multiple Lead-Acid Batteries
The most common lithium solution is:
- A single 36V or 48V LiFePO4 pack that replaces a series string of lead-acid batteries.
Instead of counting:
- “6 × 8V” or “4 × 12V”
You now think in terms of:
- One pack with:
- The correct nominal voltage (36V / 48V)
- Appropriate capacity (Ah / kWh) for range
- Adequate continuous and peak current ratings
- A built-in BMS for protection and monitoring
From the cart’s perspective, the voltage stays the same. From the user’s perspective, the system becomes simpler to maintain and often lighter.
Using Several 12V Lithium Batteries in Series
Some conversions keep the “multi-battery” approach but switch to lithium:
- 3 × 12V LiFePO4 in series → ~36V system
- 4 × 12V LiFePO4 in series → ~48V system
This can work when:
- All batteries are the same brand and model
- They have matched BMS settings and similar cable lengths
- The installer understands lithium charging and protection requirements
However, compared with a single engineered 36V or 48V pack, multi-battery lithium strings can be more complex to troubleshoot and harder to manage if anything becomes unbalanced.
When Two Lithium Packs in Parallel Make Sense
In higher-demand applications, you may see:
- Two identical 36V or 48V lithium packs connected in parallel.
This can double the available capacity and share the load, but:
- Both packs must be designed and approved for parallel use.
- BMS settings, firmware, cable lengths and fusing need to be coordinated.
- It should be treated as a deliberate system design, not a DIY experiment.
For fleets, working directly with a lithium battery manufacturer to size packs and confirm parallel operation is strongly recommended.
Counting Batteries When Your Cart Already Has a Lithium Pack
If your cart has been converted to lithium, you might open the compartment and see just one big box with cables—no obvious “six or eight batteries.”
One External Pack, Many Cells Inside
A single 48V LiFePO4 golf cart pack may internally contain:
- 16 cells in series (16S), sometimes with multiple parallel strings
- Multiple monitoring points and contactors controlled by the BMS
From the outside, you treat it as one battery pack, even though internally there are many cells.
What Specs Really Matter for Fleets
Instead of counting units, focus on:
- Nominal voltage (36V / 48V / 72V)
- Capacity in Ah and Wh/kWh
- Continuous and peak current ratings
- Cycle life expectations at your typical depth of discharge
- Operating and charging temperature range
These are the specs that determine range, performance and longevity—not how many internal cells the pack has.
Data to Record for Future Replacements
For fleet managers, it is useful to record:
- Cart model and system voltage
- Pack manufacturer and model number
- Pack voltage and capacity (Ah / kWh)
- Installation date and any key test results
This makes future replacement, expansion or cross-fleet standardisation much easier.
Practical Checklist Before You Buy or Replace Golf Cart Batteries
Before ordering new batteries—lead-acid or lithium—collect these basics:
- 1. System voltage
- Is your cart 36V, 48V or 72V? Confirm via labels or measurement.
- 2. Current configuration
- How many batteries are installed now, and what is the voltage of each?
- Example: 6 × 8V = 48V.
- 3. Chemistry and age
- Flooded, AGM, gel or lithium?
- How old is the current set?
- 4. Daily use and terrain
- Flat vs hilly, short vs long routes, occasional vs heavy daily use.
- 5. Maintenance capability
- Do you have staff to water and clean flooded batteries, or do you prefer low-maintenance?
- 6. Upgrade plans
- Will you stay with lead-acid, or is a lithium conversion under consideration?
- 7. Information to share with a supplier or manufacturer
- Photos of the battery compartment
- Existing charger information
- Any performance complaints (short range, slow on hills, frequent failures)
Having these points ready makes it much faster for a technical supplier to recommend the right battery count and configuration for your carts.
FAQs About Battery Counts in Golf Carts
Q1. Are all 48V golf carts built with the same number of batteries?
No. A 48V system can be built from 6 × 8V, 4 × 12V or even 8 × 6V batteries, depending on the model and year. That’s why you should always read the voltage labels on individual batteries and count how many are wired in series instead of assuming all 48V carts use the same layout.
Q2. How many batteries does a 36V golf cart usually have, and can that vary?
Most 36V golf carts use 6 × 6V deep-cycle batteries in series, but some setups use 3 × 12V batteries instead. Both combinations add up to 36V, yet capacity, layout and cycle life may differ. When replacing batteries, try to match the original configuration unless you have a clear engineering reason to change it.
Q3. Can I replace six 8V batteries with four 12V batteries in my 48V golf cart?
Electrically, 6 × 8V and 4 × 12V both give 48V, so it is possible—but it is not always a straightforward upgrade. You must consider physical space, cable routing, capacity, charger compatibility and how the new batteries behave under deep cycling. In many fleets, a well-matched 6 × 8V layout has proven more durable than a 4 × 12V swap done only to reduce battery count.
Q4. If I upgrade to lithium, do I still need six or eight batteries in the cart?
Not necessarily. Many lithium conversions replace a string of six or eight lead-acid batteries with one 36V or 48V lithium pack that contains many cells inside a single enclosure. Electrically the system voltage stays the same, but from the user’s point of view the pack becomes “one battery” with specified voltage, capacity and current ratings.
Q5. Is it okay to mix different ages or brands of batteries in one golf cart pack?
It’s strongly discouraged. In a series string, the weakest battery governs the performance of the entire pack. Mixing different ages, brands or capacities leads to imbalanced charging and discharging; new batteries will quickly age down to the level of the oldest one. For reliable performance, replace the entire set at once with matching units.
Q6. How do I count batteries if my golf cart already has a single lithium pack installed?
In that case you usually treat the entire pack as one battery unit, regardless of how many cells are inside. Instead of counting pieces, focus on the pack’s specifications: nominal voltage, amp-hours or kilowatt-hours, maximum continuous and peak current, and rated cycle life. If you ever replace the pack, you want a unit with compatible electrical specs and physical dimensions—not necessarily the same internal cell count.
