Star EV golf carts are made by JH Global Services, Inc., a company founded in 2003 and headquartered in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
The brand is known for a wide catalog of low speed electric vehicles, ranging from two seat golf carts to large people movers used by universities and resorts.
JH Global Services is privately held and is led by CEO Jane Zhang, who founded the company alongside her husband, Jun Hu.
Knowing who builds a Star EV golf cart helps buyers understand the company’s more than two decades of history and its South Carolina manufacturing base.
This article covers Star EV’s ownership, where the carts are built, its most popular model lines, and how it compares to other golf cart brands.
So let’s get started.
Table of Contents
Who Owns Star EV Golf Carts?
Star EV is a brand of JH Global Services, Inc., founded in 2003 by Jane Zhang and Jun Hu.
The company is privately held and is not traded on any public stock exchange.
Jun Hu remains active in day to day operations and is regularly on the manufacturing floor inspecting vehicles before they ship to dealers.
Where Are Star EV Golf Carts Made?
Star EV golf carts are engineered and assembled at the company’s facility in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
The company has operated in South Carolina for more than 20 years and has expanded its Simpsonville footprint several times to keep pace with demand.
Star EV has also announced plans for a 75,000 square foot expansion on its existing site to add dedicated commercial vehicle manufacturing space, according to the South Carolina Department of Commerce’s profile of Star EV.
Where Do Star EV’s Components Come From?
While Star EV’s warehouse and assembly operations are based in the United States, much of the underlying vehicle manufacturing traces back to China.
This is common across the low speed vehicle industry, and Star EV’s South Carolina team handles engineering, final assembly, and quality control on finished units.
For buyers, this generally means faster access to U.S. based warranty and parts support compared to importing a cart directly.
What Models Does Star EV Offer?
Star EV’s lineup includes the two seat Sirius, the Capella in two, four, and six seat configurations, and the larger M Series people movers.
The company also offers a dedicated commercial vehicle line and has more than 50 total models across its personal, commercial, and utility categories.
Star EV vs Tomberlin: How Do They Compare?
Star EV and Tomberlin are both established South Carolina and Southeast based golf cart manufacturers with long operating histories.
Star EV has leaned into commercial and institutional sales, including contracts with universities and the military, while Tomberlin has focused more heavily on the luxury street legal consumer market.
Both brands have been recognized for rapid growth in their respective markets, according to a retrospective on Star EV’s 20 year history from the Upstate Business Journal.
For more comparisons in this category, see Who Makes Evolution Golf Carts and Who Makes Racka Golf Carts.
Are Star EV Golf Carts Good?
Star EV has more than two decades of forum history behind it, and owner sentiment has shifted noticeably over that time.
Older forum threads, including some titled bluntly against the brand, described early Star models as poorly built with cheap metal and weak long term reliability.
More recent dealer feedback tells a different story, with one longtime multi brand dealer saying the Star lineup has been refined over the years and now offers more standard features than a comparably priced Club Car or EZGO.
A common complaint that persists across owner reviews is that body panels and plastic trim can fade or show wear faster than expected after three or more years, especially in sunny climates.
Controller and display fault codes are also a recurring issue mentioned in recent reviews, though most are resolved with a reset or a controller replacement covered under the standard warranty period.
The honest takeaway is that Star EV’s reputation has genuinely improved with two decades of refinement, but buyers in hot, sunny climates should expect cosmetic wear sooner than they would see on a legacy brand.
Frequently Asked Questions About Star EV Golf Carts
Who founded Star EV?
Star EV was founded in 2003 by Jane Zhang and her husband, Jun Hu, under the parent company JH Global Services, Inc.
Where is Star EV’s headquarters?
Star EV is headquartered and engineers its vehicles in Simpsonville, South Carolina.
Are Star EV carts made in China?
Much of the primary manufacturing for Star EV vehicles is based in China, with final assembly, engineering, and quality control handled at the company’s South Carolina facility.
Does Star EV sell to businesses and government agencies?
Yes, Star EV has supplied vehicles to universities, resorts, and government organizations in addition to selling personal golf carts to consumers.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.