Where is Technology Taking Us in the Nest Round of LSV Upgrades?

The past decade has seen multiple types of upgrades to golf car-typed (GCT) vehicles These include lithium batteries, four wheel disk brakes, and power steering. In addition, LCD displays feature a host of fingertip accessible information on the driving environment and vehicle running condition. Backup cameras, LED lighting kits, and exotic audio systems adorn many models, either as standard feature or options.

One interesting paradox of these improvements is that it is more difficult to give the GCT vehicle a solid, recognizable generic description. This issue was raised at the recent 2025 PGA Show during the launch of a new dealer association.

Dealer association launch provides vehicle identity

As noted the Show marked the launch of a new dealers trade association called the Low Speed Vehicle Dealers Association (LSVDA). In the initial meeting at the Show, the issue of what to call the association in terms of which best represented dealers’ products. The meeting was open for any comments, and no one questioned the appropriateness of the title.

Low speed vehicles are, of course, specifically focused toward their use on public roads and streets. They must meet specifications designated by the National Highway Safety Administration and are further subject to limits and restrictions at the state and local level.

Formation of the LSVDA comes at an opportune time to represent dealer interests in regulatory issues, vehicle attributes and capabilities, and the establishment of best practices standards.

Short distance driving market

Low speed vehicles (LSVs) generally fall into two categories, namely, consumer and commercial. In either case LSVs will fit the needs of the short distance driving market.
Over 70% of all driving miles are less than 5-7 miles from ones’ personal residence, according to Department of Transportation data—comprised pf, one would guess, trips to the grocery store, the convenience outlet, and movement around the neighborhood to one’ friends.

On the commercial side, it is the last mile delivery market that shows the most promise of growth.

As these market segments expand, here is what to expect in the next round of product upgrades.

Product upgrades in the near future

Perhaps the most significant upgrade that is needed to address the market in all climate zones is a fully-enclosed driver/passenger compartment. (Yes, Virginia, it does rain in Florida.) The Club Car Urban is set to take on the last mile delivery market with its fully-enclosed driver compartment and a variety of cargo options.

The fully enclosed consumer LSV was pioneered by GEM some time ago and the concept for this market channel as a mainstream option is long overdue.

Used vehicle upgrades to LSV status

The LSVDA includes not only dealers but also their suppliers. And, of course, supportive manufacturers are welcomed as well. Suppliers are likely to be an important component of the LSV market through the process of upgrading used vehicles.

Golf Cart Garage, for example, advertises and sells a plethora of basic upgrades which together can upgrade a golf cart to street legal status. In some states, such as Florida, golf carts can be given a VIN, if properly upgraded.

As the LSV market grows, so, also, will the used LSV market. Look for a robust used LSV market in the future, much as in the conventional auto market.

Autonomous driving features

Another upgrades which has been the in the works and is ready for prime time is autonomous driving technology. Moving from managed area operations to open road systems presents significant challenges. Safety concerns and regulatory issues continue are the primary factors that companies face in the next stage of product evolution and innovation.

It should be noted that many of the obstacles to autonomous driving are centered in the fact that conventional automobiles are used in all driving environments, for local driving with speed limits of 35-45 m.p.h. or lower, to high speed highways. Focusing on local driving environments alone changes the perspective in adapting to autonomous driving vehicles.

In particular, the difficulties with adapting autonomous driving technology to conventional vehicles are highlighting the progress of autonomous driving companies whose product is focused on local driving and do not generally operate on open roads. Carteav is one such company,

CEO Avinoam Barak notes, “By limiting operations to managed areas and low speeds, these companies are leading the way in real-world adoption, providing solutions right now to people who can benefit most from the advantages that autonomous driving companies have to offer.” Here is a link to a YouTube video demonstrating a golf cart with the Carteav system: https://youtu.be/XCKIKbp6Sy0 ,

Next step: The open (local) road

The Carteav system is designed primarily for fleet operations within a gated community or well-defined neighborhood. Within this setting, vehicles operate according to geofenced pathways. The next logical step would be to move autonomous driving to privately-owned LSVs operating on personalized geofencing roadmaps.

Club Car is clearly moving in that direction with its Connect system. Designed for the consumer market, the system allows LSV owners to geofence their own, personalized pathways on public roads, where permitted. In all likelihood one can program prohibited areas and routes where LSVs cannot go, as well as speed controls, much like the geofenced operations systems now in used on golf courses.

This type of individualized system will pave the way for opening up the short distance driving segment as a major new market, with sales volumes far exceeding what we now see.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The industry is at the at the threshold of the short distance driving market;
• The progression of upgrades on golf car-type vehicles has positioned the industry to enter this market;
• New technologies, particularly autonomous driving systems are likely to be the next step in product and market development;
• Mass market potential and the need to address a wide range of national, state and local policies combine to crystallize the need for a dealer/supplier trade association;
• Join the Low Speed Vehicle Dealers Association (LSVDA) now! See https://lsvda.com/.

 

 

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Contact the Author: Steve Metzger at smetzger@smallvehicleresource.com.  Or check out our website at www.smallvehicleresource.com, where you will find an extensive database of vehicle models and can make side-by-side comparisons of vehicles based on a full set of specifications.