Cold weather affects every battery's performance to some degree, but the extent — and the precautions worth taking — differ between lithium (LiFePO4) and lead-acid battery chemistries used in golf carts.
Lithium batteries generally hold up well for discharge (driving) in cold weather, but most LiFePO4 batteries should not be charged at or below freezing temperatures, as doing so can damage the battery. Many modern lithium systems include built-in protection that prevents charging in unsafe temperature conditions.
Lead-acid batteries typically lose a noticeable amount of usable capacity in cold weather, meaning reduced range compared to warmer conditions. They generally require more frequent charging and monitoring during winter months to avoid deep discharge in the cold, which can shorten battery life.
Generally, lithium (LiFePO4) batteries tend to be the more resilient choice for winter use once basic charging precautions are followed, thanks to more consistent discharge performance and less capacity loss compared to lead-acid batteries in cold conditions.
Generally, no. Most LiFePO4 batteries should not be charged at or below freezing, and many systems include built-in protection to prevent it — bring the cart to a warmer space before charging if needed.
Yes, typically. Lead-acid batteries usually lose a noticeable amount of usable capacity in cold weather and require more frequent monitoring to avoid deep discharge.
Lithium (LiFePO4) batteries generally hold up better overall in winter once basic charging precautions, like not charging below freezing, are followed.