The Evolve fleet golf car from LiV Golf Cars powered by lithium batteries.
The Prosper fleet golf car from LiV Golf Cars powered by lithium batteries.
LiV Golf Cars based in Libby, Montana is hoping to break into the golf car fleet market in 2015 with a pair of lithium battery powered electric golf cars. Started in 2013 with the aid of a $368,000 grant from the local government, the company to date has produced 34 vehicles during the course of their product development and initial sales process. According to CEO Jon Hoster 15-20 of those vehicles are on five different golf courses located in California, Phoenix and Las Vegas. The development process took longer than expected but their two models, the Evolve and the Prosper are now ready for market. Under the terms of the grant the company must employ 22 people by September 2015. Currently the company employs two but Hoster hopes to add 15-20 in 2015.
What is unique about the Evolve and Prosper are that they are powered by Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries as opposed to lead acid batteries typically found in electric fleet golf cars. The company states the advantages of the lithium batteries are that they last longer, three to four times longer, than lead-acid batteries; are lighter leading to less compaction on courses; and reduce vehicle maintenance. The batteries have a 6-year warranty.
The Evolve is targeted towards more upscale courses and features an aluminum alloy chassis, independent front and rear leaf spring suspension, water-directional sun top, and impact resistant body molding. The Prosper has a tubular steel chassis instead of aluminum and has a hydraulic shock absorber with coil over springs front suspension instead of Macpherson strut front suspension. Both models feature a 48-volt system with a D&D Motor Systems, separately excited motor and a lithium iron phosphate battery pack. There is no mention of pricing for the vehicles on their website. Learn more: Thewesternnews.com
Comment: Cracking the fleet golf car market will be a difficult task. It is a very price sensitive market that is dominated by E-Z-GO and Club Car with Yamaha a distant third. All three should have a significant cost advantage given their size and manufacturing volume compared to such a small company. There is also the issue of having the proper distribution and servicing network to service fleet golf cars. Golf cars are a revenue generator for courses and any down time impacts the bottom line. On top of these challenges the golf industry has faced some difficult economic times with a decline in the number of courses since 2006 as well as ongoing attrition in the number of golfers.
I work at a golf course that just bought a fleet of the Liv prosper carts. They are absolutely terrible carts. The body is very cheap. The alignment on basically every cart is off. The wiring in the accelerators was not fully waterproof, so we can’t even spray the floorboards. The bumpers break off fairly easily. Many of the pencil clips have broken off. The steering wheel is centered rather than staggered towards the driver seat. We have not only experienced a laundry list of problems with the cheap design of the body, but the supposed technology of the batteries is not what it’s made out to be. They can make it about 18 holes on a full charge, but no more than that. They take just as long to charge as the old EZ GO’S and have about the same battery life, if not worse.
If you are at all looking at buying these carts, don’t. They are terrible. We get complaints from golfers DAILY about the carts.
I bought 1 of those, it dosent start anymore after a week, charger try to start charging then stop again and again after 10sec, WE NEED HELP, NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO REPAIR THIS!! Plz Keaton, wich club course? Where can i get a battery controller BMS48, alltrax dont have it, IM AM WILLING TO PAY FOR PARTS!
I bought 1 of those, it dosent start anymore after a week, charger try to start charging then stop again and again after 10sec, WE NEED HELP, NOBODY KNOWS HOW TO REPAIR THIS!!
I need a battery charger for a liv prosper golf cart – where can I get one
Any answer on this, we are looking for a charger to
I am looking for a charger too. And parts. Anyone know where to get parts?
The boring parts, such as registration, need to be secure, efficient,
and seamless.