A fleet of sleek, street-legal electric golf carts has landed downtown, giving locals and tourists alike a whole new way to cruise through the capital.
The company behind the wheel? Vancouver-based HeyYa Golf Carts, making its first leap beyond the Lower Mainland with 15 brand-new rides now stationed at the View Street Parkade.
Call it a joyride with purpose – fun, zippy, and sustainable.
“We’ve always loved Victoria,” said co-founder Tasha Maynard, grinning as she zipped off toward Government Street. “Victoria matches our vibe – super walkable, lots to see, but also a few too many hills for some folks. That is why we think this is a match made in heaven."
HeyYa launched in Vancouver last summer after what Maynard calls a few “aha moments” – like seeing tourists struggle up Stanley Park hills on bikes, or being cheered on by strangers during an Ironman in Florida.
Now, the vision is simple: ditch the car, keep the fun.
The carts are fully electric, made right here in B.C., and built for city cruising. They top out at 40 km/h and can operate on any road with a speed limit of 50 km/h or lower. Drivers need to be 21 with a valid licence, and after that – it’s all systems go.
And yes, they’ve already made an entrance, with a soft launch last week in Victoria.
But, in their 10 months in Vancouver, they've had nothing but positive experiences with a diverse clientele.
“We’ve had everything from reality TV film crews to bachelorette parties to just curious tourists,” Maynard said. “People come back laughing, smiling, wanting to do it again.”
That’s the magic, she said – the carts aren’t just a ride. They’re an experience. And they open up the city in a way that’s both accessible and inclusive.
She recalled one story of a amateur sports team that rented bikes – all but one player, who wasn’t confident riding on two wheels. No problem: they grabbed a cart, and the whole team stayed together.
“No one got left behind,” Maynard said. “That’s why this works.”
The Victoria fleet officially launched on Monday, with bookings already rolling in. From the Inner Harbour to Chinatown, Market Square, Beacon Hill Park and even Oak Bay, riders can chart their own path and cruise at their own pace.
Victoria Coun. Matt Dell called the move a win for sustainable transportation.
"There are lots of regulatory challenges to allowing more sustainable transportation options in the city, but it’s important we keep pushing for new options, including things like electric golf carts," Dell said. "As more people move to Victoria, there will not be enough capacity for our roads to add more vehicles. Therefore, new transportation options like smaller electric golf carts, e-bikes, e-scooters are part of this future solution.”
HeyYa partnered with Victoria to secure its View Street location. The carts are permitted on roads south of Fort Street, extending west to Beacon Hill and east into Oak Bay, as long as the speed limit does not exceed 50 km/h.
And Victoria’s just the start. Maynard said the company is eyeing new destinations like Nanaimo, Tofino, and Gibsons – possibly by 2026.
But for now, the focus is right here in the capital, where the carts are already drawing smiles and second glances.
“People just love it,” Maynard said. “It’s simple, it’s fun – and honestly, it’s kind of contagious.”
Ready to ride? Just look for the little blue carts with the big city energy.
