Club Car’s eye-catching electric microcar, the CRU, just got a serious tech upgrade that threatens to tow it into the modern EV era.
The company announced this week the launch of a new lithium-ion battery option for the street-legal low-speed vehicle (LSV), giving the comfort-focused cruiser a performance boost over its older style lead acid batteries, which should now help match its futuristic design.
First unveiled in partnership with BMW Designworks, the CRU made waves with its unique “living room on wheels” vibe – complete with wrap-around bench seating, a central table, and room for up to six passengers with 180º swiveling front seats. While its clever layout made it a standout in the world of neighborhood electric vehicles, its lead-acid battery pack was decidedly old-school. That changes now.
According to Club Car, the new lithium-ion configuration will deliver a significant leap in performance, with three times the range of the original model and much faster charging.
“CRU Lithium is a game changer. It’s everything our customers love about the street legal CRU—style, comfort, social design—with the added power of lithium performance. It charges faster, goes farther, and is low maintenance.” said Brant Mitchell, Senior Director of Product Management of Club Car. “This solution gives our customers a smarter, longer-lasting power solution that fits their lifestyle and extends the fun.”
While the company hasn’t released specific figures on the range or charging time, the improvement over the previous model should be substantial. In addition to longer rides and shorter charge times, the reduced battery weight improves handling and ride quality – a welcome bonus in a vehicle designed for relaxed cruising around neighborhoods, campuses, resorts, and gated communities.
The CRU’s top speed remains at 25 mph, which keeps it street-legal under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) regulations. The model also includes full lighting and turn signals, seat belts, a backup camera, and other safety features required for low-speed vehicles operating on public roads with posted speed limits up to 35 mph.
This new battery option doesn’t change the CRU’s DNA, but it does make it much more appealing to modern users who expect more from their electric vehicles – especially when it comes to charging speed and maintenance. Club Car is also highlighting the long-term savings that come with lithium, citing lower operating lifespan and minimal servicing.
The lithium option is not a cheap upgrade, but it’s also not a cheap vehicle, either. The lithium battery upgrade adds nearly US $2,500 to the $25,000 base price of the lead acid Cru. That’s for an 8 kWh battery, though a 16 kWh can be selected, pushing the price north of $31,000. And that’s before plenty of other interesting options that the kind of folks who can afford a 25 mph living room will likely want to add.
The CRU was first revealed in concept form several years ago and began shipping in limited quantities shortly thereafter.
With this latest update, Club Car appears to be doubling down on the idea that low-speed electric vehicles don’t have to be boring or basic – and that there’s a real market for something in between an electric golf cart and a full-size EV. Whether that market stretches up to $30,000, though, remains to be seen.
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
