The electric golf trolley has been on British fairways since the 1970s. The first commercial models were heavy, underpowered, and ran on lead-acid batteries that weighed 8kg and lasted 18 holes on a good day. The 2025 models weigh 10–12kg in total, run 36 holes on a lithium battery smaller than a hardback book, and some of them follow you around the course without being pushed.
The battery revolution (2018–2023): the shift from sealed lead acid (SLA) to lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries was the most significant development in electric trolley technology since the introduction of automatic braking on slopes. The lithium battery advantage: 60% lighter than SLA equivalents, three to four times the cycle life (SLA degrades after 200–300 charge cycles; quality lithium batteries maintain capacity for 800+), significantly faster charging (6–8 hours SLA vs 3–4 hours lithium), and consistent power output throughout the charge cycle (SLA loses power as the battery depletes; lithium maintains consistent speed until the battery is effectively empty).
The app integration era (2022–present): Motocaddy's Bluetooth-connected trolleys, PowaKaddy's CT6 GPS, and the MGI Zip Navigator X5 all now connect to smartphones for remote control, GPS yardage display on the trolley handle (so you don't need to look at your watch for distances), and — on premium models — autonomous follow mode. The feature that has proved most practically useful in testing: the GPS yardage on the trolley handle means you're looking ahead as you walk toward the green, not down at your wrist.
Best buys in 2025: Budget (under £400) — Motocaddy M1 DHC (£375). Reliable, compact, 18-hole lithium battery. The most no-nonsense electric trolley on the market at a fair price. Mid-range (£400–700) — PowaKaddy CT8 GPS (£650). GPS handle yardages, 36-hole lithium battery, compact folding design. The best balance of technology and price in the category. Premium (£700–1,000) — Motocaddy M7 GPS Remote (£849). Full GPS screen, remote control, and the option to add Follow technology. Best in class for golfers who want a traditional (non-autonomous) trolley with maximum feature set.
The travel consideration: no electric trolley folds to a size that fits standard hand luggage, and few fit golf travel bags without removal of the battery. For most golf trips, we recommend leaving your electric trolley at home and using the course's rental trolleys — which are invariably available at European, UAE, and Asian destinations — unless the destination specifically requires your own equipment (some UK links courses have limited rental availability).
Marcus Webb
Golf Travel Specialist · View profile →
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