Peak Performance
Read the whole story of the record-setting climb to the top of Pikes Peak with a golf cart powered by Trojan Lithium OnePack
Peak Performance with Trojan Lithium OnePack™
There are plenty of lithium-ion batteries on the market, but there’s only one that has made it to the summit of Pikes Peak—the Trojan Lithium OnePack™ 48V 105Ah Lithium Battery Pack.
In September, Trojan’s new lithium-ion battery pack powered a golf cart on a record-setting trip. The vehicle reached the 14,115-foot summit of Pikes Peak. This peak is the highest point in the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. The climb proved the battery pack’s reliability, power, and extended run time.
"Trojan Battery is proud to be part of a lithium-ion battery 'first.’ Leading the way isn't new for Trojan. It's been the foundation of our success for nearly a century," said Laurie Oswald, Chief Commercial Officer, C&D Technologies and Trojan Battery Company.
Creating an expedition to remember
World Famous Golf Carts™, a golf cart and Trojan battery dealer based in South Carolina, led the first-of-its-kind trip. Owner Austin King, a U.S. Air Force veteran, aimed to create a unique mission for the Trojan Lithium OnePack. He wanted it to stand out in the crowded lithium-ion market.
"We wanted to showcase the new Trojan Lithium OnePack. We looked for something that had never been done with a golf cart. We decided to drive a steep incline to prove the power and performance of OnePack. Pikes Peak was a natural choice for us," said King.
Can the OnePack 48V lithium battery pack make it to the summit?
The team was convinced the golf cart would succeed in the attempt. All Trojan batteries—including OnePack—undergo rigorous testing. Tests answer questions like, “How long do lithium golf cart batteries last?” Mountain climbing is not part of ordinary performance testing.
"When Austin told us his idea, we were 100% behind it. Trojan Battery commits to supporting and collaborating with our dealers and distributors. We see them as valued partners who are integral to our success. We were confident our new Trojan Lithium OnePack was going to meet this challenge," said Bob Pigott, Vice President of Sales at Trojan Battery Company.
Lithium power to climb hills—and stay charged
Pikes Peak was chosen because it is one of the steepest roads in America. Pikes Peak is one of Colorado’s famed 14ers—peaks that are above 14,000 feet in elevation.
The National Parks Service at Pike National Forest was presented with the idea and approved the drive. Within a few weeks, King was ready to drive the golf cart, powered by the Trojan Lithium OnePack.
The journey runs twenty miles up Pikes Peak Highway to the 14,115-foot summit. The highway has a 6.7% average grade, with some sections of the roadway reaching up to 12% in steepness. For reference, 6% is the maximum allowable grade on an Interstate highway.
King maintained a speed of 22 MPH for the one-hour, nonstop trip. When they reached the summit, the battery pack still held a 26% charge, a dramatic demonstration of the lithium-ion battery pack's long life.
"We did it with no problem," said King. "It proved what I already knew—Trojan supplies the premier lithium-ion batteries on the market."
Lithium battery packs and batteries rooted in the U.S.
In part because of his military background, King wanted to use a battery and golf cart with American roots. The Trojan Lithium OnePack is designed, tested, and undergoes final processing in Trojan’s Santa Fe Springs, California facility.
"Pound for pound, Trojan batteries, such as the Trojan Lithium OnePack, are the best performing, safest choices on the market. In the lithium-ion segment, Trojan is the most trusted manufacturer," said King.
Watch a 4.5-minute video of the climb >
Trojan Lithium OnePack: performance and safety
The Trojan Lithium OnePack is a maintenance-free, 48V, 105Ah single battery pack. OnePack powers low-speed electric vehicles (LSEVs) such as golf cars with innovative features. The battery pack extends run times (up to 60 miles on a single charge), charges faster, and increases torque and speed. It also provides safety, simple installation, ease of use, and has a 10+ year lifetime.
The Trojan Lithium OnePack is compatible with the Trojan SmartBattery® App with Bluetooth® connectivity. With the app installed, battery status can be monitored in real-time from a mobile device, for convenience and peace of mind.
Find Your Authorized Dealer
Trojan Lithium OnePack batteries and complete upgrade kits can be purchased from Authorized Trojan Distributors and Dealers. Visit the Trojan online dealer locator to find your nearest dealer.
Why Trojan Lithium? Watch this video to see why Trojan lithium batteries lead the market.