Mainstreaming the Golf Cart

Seniors are on the cutting edge of a movement to make Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), otherwise known as golf carts, a viable form of everyday transportation.

1 minute read

October 12, 2015, 8:00 AM PDT

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Neighborhood Electric Vehicle

miheco / Flickr

They're already used widely in parks, college campuses, enclosed communities, and, of course, golf courses. Now small towns are jumping on board in a push to make NEVs and other low-speed electrics the "cars" of choice for those who don't need to travel far. They're also much cheaper than full-size EVs. 

In an odd twist, seniors are the demographic most suited to pioneer this transportation innovation. "Dozens of communities have outlined schemes to integrate carts and similarly sized vehicles into their transportation networks," particularly places where older folks tend to live, and not limited to retirement communities.

Sun Belt suburbs, so long the domain of soccer-mom SUVs and vanity pickup trucks, are poised to embrace the humble electric golf cart. "Why drive a cart? Certainly, disposable income, warm weather, and relatively dense settlements are prerequisites. But drivers also say that NEVs allow for old-fashioned urban social interaction."

The golf cart's potential isn't limited to Arizona retirees: "In beach towns and other compact tourist enclaves, already accustomed to a mix of transportation modes, NEVs can do a car's job with ease." No highway commutes though: the NEV demands more compact planning.

Monday, October 5, 2015 in The Atlantic

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Map of Haussmann's redesign of Paris in the 1850s through 1870s under Napoleon III.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking

Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

June 30, 2025 - Tom Sanchez

White banner with red "SPACE AVAILABLE" text hanging at top of white office building.

Congress Kills Office Conversion Tax Credit

A federal tax incentive for energy efficiency upgrades is going away next year.

30 minutes ago - Smart Cities Dive

Cyclist on folding bike riding next to silver car on city street.

How the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ Impacts Transportation

Five ways the bill negatively impacts U.S. transportation policy.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Wood-framed multi-family building under construction with red crane behind it.

California Creates Housing-Focused Agency

Previously, the state’s housing and homelessness programs fell under a grabbag department that also regulates the alcohol industry, car mechanics, and horse racing.

July 13 - CALmatters