[Bill & Carolyn]

My wife and I went in several cycles when considering this over the last year between electric and gas.

Electric golf carts are generally more expensive, require more routine maintenance (filling batteries, etc), and I think the environmental benefits are debatable.

We test rode both types extensively and we clearly liked the ride the electric provides and the lower noise of the electric. My wife has osteoporosis in her neck and back and a smooth ride is a must for her. The electrics we rode were clearly smoother (and quieter) in acceleration, braking, and cruising. For those reasons we initially favored the electric, but, at the time (2010-2011) the electrics did not provide any relief from the #1 detractor for them -- range anxiety. Sure they advertize '60 mile' ranges, but those are under ideal conditions not involving a lot of start/stop activity. We finally found an salesman that did tell us that the best we could expect under 'normal' use including driving to/from TC and playing a round of golf was about 35 miles. In December 2011 I was pretty certain that we would be getting a gas model.

During our visit this past March (we bought in Pennecamp in March 2012 and have been coming for two week stays since until I retire in this coming November) that changed because of E-Z-Go's introduction of a new electric with a 'range extender'. They call it a 'hybrid' but it really isn't. They install a small generator where the well for golf bags normally is, which means they have to have a special golf bag carrier attached to the back of the cart. This generator will provide enough charge to the batteries to enable them to last for around 100 miles on a single 'charge', maybe more. It also offers an option for more batteries than the standard and the range on them alone is around 60 miles or more. We test drove one extensively with both straight battery mode and with the generator running and liked it very much. We ordered one to be delivered in November when we become permanent residents (Woot!). It cost around 12K with the extended battery pack, the range extender, the golf bag carrier and a few other extras we wanted. You have to figure that 100 mile range means 5 hours of driving time/day (100 miles / 20mph speed limit) for the Golf cart and I have no intention of driving a golf cart for that period of time. The generator gives us the ability, if we have to, to stop the vehicle and run the generator to give the batteries enough charge to get us home, which was the big fear, getting stuck 5 miles or so from home with a dead battery.

My wife and I are not big golfers and, even when I golf, I intend to drag my clubs around on the course to get the benefit of the exercise as long as I'm able to, so, the drag on the batteries from start/stop on the golf course isn't an issue for us.

If you intend to use the cart extensively on the golf course I would not recommend that you get even this model electric. It meets our needs nicely because we have no range anxiety and it helps my wife's issues. I am taking on the extra cost and maintenance requirements knowingly.

I think they have one at Town And Country Golf Carts.