Switching to Electric Cars

Essex Golf Centres have replaced their petrol-fuelled golf buggies with a fleet of 50 electric golf cars, utility vehicles and ranger vehicles from Abingdon-based Golf Car UK.

The new vehicles should enhance the course environment and reduce operating and maintenance costs, according to Essex Golf Centres director Melvin Cox. "I believe battery power is the way forward," he said. "The electric car removes the worry of emissions and it is much quieter, reducing noise pollution around the course."

Essex Golf Centres' staff have also received training in the use and maintenance of the vehicles. Golf Car UK director, John Makepeace said: "We provide our clients with some basic training to enable them to maintain and market their golf cars properly. Essex Golf Centres sent six people to our technical training seminar and this helped us troubleshoot problems as well as build closer relations with the customer."

The cars, which are manufactured in Augusta, Georgia, will be supplied to Essex Golf Centres' two courses, Hainault Forest Golf Complex and Southend Golf Complex.

For further information, call Golf Car UK on +44 (0)1235-537575 or access Club Car's website at www.clubcar.com