[Villages Kahuna]

Battery life is mostly effected by heat. They continually lose “range” as they grow older. My experience has been that they need to be replaced every 3-4 years. Cost $600 to $1,000, depending on type selected.

Service? You’d better hope you won’t need any. Dealers of the major brands will give you a quick “no”. The independent repair guys may not be able to get parts.

The tire issue? If you play golf it’ll cost you several hundred dollars to replace them.

Enough said??

[OhioBuckeye]

BINGO, you hit the nail on the head!

[mpalazzola]

Originally Posted by john352

Need to ask:
How long do the batteries last before they did to be replaced, and what is the replacement cost?

Depending on the "depth of discharge" DOD to 50% on lead acid batteries will give you up to 2000 cycles. But that is typically on an hour of total run time. If you discharge to 80% the life shortens to 500 cycles.

Most lithium chemistry allows for DOD to be 80% and still gets 1500-2000 cycles. While Lithium is twice the price, you get 3 times the life if are traveling 2 hours between charging. Plus Lithium is half the weight of lead, never needs water and absorbs recharge with less loss. Generally speaking, Friends don't let friends drive on acid.

[Papa_lecki]

Originally Posted by Rodneysblue

Darn, you missed it. Unless you count post 7. 👍🏼

Should have taken the OVER.

[Mustang_LDO]

Originally Posted by Rodneysblue

BJ’s has charging stations

I’ve been able to travel from south of 44 to Target and back with plenty of juice to spare on my Star Ev. Your lithium battery must be at least 180ah.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by mpalazzola

Depending on the "depth of discharge" DOD to 50% on lead acid batteries will give you up to 2000 cycles. But that is typically on an hour of total run time. If you discharge to 80% the life shortens to 500 cycles.

Most lithium chemistry allows for DOD to be 80% and still gets 1500-2000 cycles. While Lithium is twice the price, you get 3 times the life if are traveling 2 hours between charging. Plus Lithium is half the weight of lead, never needs water and absorbs recharge with less loss. Generally speaking, Friends don't let friends drive on acid.

Both EZGO and STAR say they are batteries get about 4000 cycles. To put it into a proper perspective you have to also understand how many miles you get per cycle. I get about 70 miles on a full cycle charge. That equates to 280,000 miles before the battery needs to be replaced. Considering the average golf cart is 20 miles an hour and topped out at 24 miles an hour… To go 70 miles it would take me 3 to 3 1/2 hours every single day of riding in my golf cart. If I was actually able to do that it would take me almost 11 years to accomplish. I'm pretty sure there will be other parts wearing out on my golf cart...not to mention my butt before that actually happens

[Gatorfan1]

Looks like an LSV under Florida law. They must have a dealers license to sell. Just like an auto they must be licensed and insured.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Rodneysblue

BJ’s has charging stations

It's simple. The more EVs are sold the more charging stations will spring up. Like gas stations replaced hay-feeding barns in 1900. We are on the cusp of an E-everything change. And the same for electric power generating plants, they likely will become nuclear in the near future.

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by Villages Kahuna

Battery life is mostly effected by heat. They continually lose “range” as they grow older. My experience has been that they need to be replaced every 3-4 years. Cost $600 to $1,000, depending on type selected.

Service? You’d better hope you won’t need any. Dealers of the major brands will give you a quick “no”. The independent repair guys may not be able to get parts.

The tire issue? If you play golf it’ll cost you several hundred dollars to replace them.

Enough said??

Well, not everyone plays golf. And dealers will come around to EVs in the near future. They have a tendency to like to make money. And battery technology will NOT STOP pushing forward, so range and cost will go from liability to a positive. Look at E-automobiles, they already can drive a person further than a Senior's old bones want to be behind the wheel. In the future, they will have more range. And what is so wonderful about a gas engine vehicle at $3.30 per gal ?

[jimjamuser]

Originally Posted by mpalazzola

Depending on the "depth of discharge" DOD to 50% on lead acid batteries will give you up to 2000 cycles. But that is typically on an hour of total run time. If you discharge to 80% the life shortens to 500 cycles.

Most lithium chemistry allows for DOD to be 80% and still gets 1500-2000 cycles. While Lithium is twice the price, you get 3 times the life if are traveling 2 hours between charging. Plus Lithium is half the weight of lead, never needs water and absorbs recharge with less loss. Generally speaking, Friends don't let friends drive on acid.

Good post. I'll remember friends don't let friends drive on acid. Better to take a shot of Lithium.

[OhioBuckeye]

That battery will not last 11 yrs. It might last 11 yrs. but most people don’t know how to properly maintain a battery to get 11 yrs. most people just charge them. They would have to check the electrolyte’s in the battery & keep the battery clean maybe 7 yrs. tops.

[Gatorfan1]

Illegal to go over 20mph. I hope everyone knows your golf cart insurance policy does not cover you if the company determines your cart goes over 20mph. With so many accidents now do not be surprised if they start checking. Huge liability exposure for a couple more mph. Is it worth the risk?

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Originally Posted by OhioBuckeye

That battery will not last 11 yrs. It might last 11 yrs. but most people don’t know how to properly maintain a battery to get 11 yrs. most people just charge them. They would have to check the electrolyte’s in the battery & keep the battery clean maybe 7 yrs. tops.

My Elite is now over 5 years old with almost 12k miles on it.
I don't see any degradation of the range yet.
I'll get back to you in 2028 (if we're still alive) :smile:

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

My Elite is now over 5 years old with almost 12k miles on it.
I don't see any degradation of the range yet.
I'll get back to you in 2028 (if we're still alive) :smile:

Exactly!!!
The salesman at the villages golf cars told me that so far their company has sold over 700 electric golf carts going back to 2017. He said to date there has never been a customer come back in seeking a Lithium replacement battery.

[Bay Kid]

Originally Posted by jimjamuser

It's simple. The more EVs are sold the more charging stations will spring up. Like gas stations replaced hay-feeding barns in 1900. We are on the cusp of an E-everything change. And the same for electric power generating plants, they likely will become nuclear in the near future.

Do they charge for charging stations?