Golf cart
 

I have a really nice cart for sale, perfect for a new user TOMBERLIN
2017. New tires, 2 yr batteries..clean great ride. Contact bud to see 973-997-9106
Lots of extras.

flip a coin

Yamaha hydrogen engine -IWATA, January 25, 2024 - Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. (Tokyo: 7272) is pleased to announce that Yamaha Golf-Car Company (YGC), a consolidated subsidiary of the Yamaha Motor Corporation that also sells golf cars in the United States, developed a hydrogen powered engine golf car concept model, the DRIVE H2. The concept model is the first of its kind and is currently on display at the PGA Show* in Orlando, Florida, one of the golf industry's largest events.

The DRIVE H2 is based on Yamaha's DRIVE2 CONCIERGE4, a four-seater golf car sold mainly in the United States, but also around the world. Hydrogen engines are internal combustion engines that can make use of existing technologies and at the same time do not emit CO2 during the combustion process. For this reason, Yamaha is conducting research and development of this technology as it has the potential to achieve both the continued use of internal combustion engines and decarbonization.

DRIVE H2 is equipped with two high-pressure hydrogen tanks (25L each) positioned under the driver's seat and on the back of the rear seat.

To date, Yamaha has announced concept models equipped with hydrogen engines, including generators and ROVs, and now the DRIVE H2. By exhibiting at this event, Yamaha promotes its efforts toward achieving decarbonization.

Not even a consideration. Will likely get a new cart long before batteries are required, electric carts are in demand so driving price up, and if I got $0 out of it I would still be happy.

We chose to buy a new gas Yamaha cart in 2001. It's still running strong, oil change every 2 years, 3 sets of new tires, 1 set of new belts and that's it. We drive the cart every day for errands and visiting friends. I can tell you that if/when it finally needs major repairs, although we've been told that will probably be many years from now, we will buy another new Yamaha gas cart. Buy new tricked out exactly as you want, take good care of it, and you'll be happy with it as long as you chose to own it.

I am on my second electric cart and loved both. I must admit that I would not use a golf car to drive long distances because spending an hour in the cart when I can get there in 20 minutes in an automobile seems like a waste of time to me. I bought an Atomic ion with lithium batteries because the cost of a regular cart has gotten so high, it did not make sense not to go for it. Windshield wipers, air, heat, bluetooth and it does not stink up my garage. Plug it in in the evening and ready to go in the morning. All carts use energy but this cart does not have exhaust, which is what I am looking for.

So then comes the follow on question: what will be the resale value of a gas cart that needs a new engine?
I'm sure you would agree droping in a new lithium battery in a cart is way easier and cheaper than a new or rebuilt engine.

Remember. Electric carts will need to have their batteries replaced after 5 to 8 years. That's going to cost you around $1000 or more. Check out that cost before you buy.

We have had a Club Car Gas for 18 years. Still looks good, still runs great. No problems, only oil changes.

Electric carts: Count on replacing the batteries every couple of years. That's about an $800+ expense right there. Plus, you want to drive to the North end of the Villages from the South end? At some point as your batteries age they will run down before you get home. When your batteries do run down you need to recharge them for about 12 hours before you're at full strength again.

Gas carts: My 1997 Yamaha is still going strong, gets 42 mpg giving me a range of about 200 miles. If I get low on gas I pull into a gas station and fill up and I'm good for another 200 miles. I do an annual maintenance by a local golf cart outfit for $85 and I'm good for another year.

I had electric to start with, but The Villages has outgrown electric carts.

I've lived in The Villages for going on 19 ears. The number of people I know who have blown a golf cart engine is...ZERO. Not that it doesn't happen, but I've never heard of one. But I did replace my electric cart's motor three times in seven years...not to mention three sets of batteries in those seven years. And if you don't keep those batteries full of water they are toast. So check that water at least once a week if not more often.

But lithium batteries have been know to catch fire spontaneously. I wouldn't have a lithium battery powered vehicle--car or cart--in my garage.

Sounds like you had a lemon for a golf cart. Very unfortunate.

I would buy lithium today rather than lead acid. Expect 10 years before replacing a lithium battery and no water to monitor.

Please post two articles about lithium golf carts spontaneously catching fire. I have seen two articles about gas carts catching fire in the Villages in just the last year. It seems like gas carts are more dangerous than lithium.

Are you burning the non-flammable gas in your golf cart?

Just curious.

Yamaha golf carts
 

I was told that the Yamaha gas cart was designed to play 36 holes of golf per day, 7 days a week, for 20 years without a major repair. I bought one for me and one for my wife. No regrets. We drive them almost 10,000 miles per year.

Hiya Bill,

I'll take this one for you Steve.

Canyon Lake July 2023 The Friday Flyer | Fire Department issues golf cart lithium-ion battery warnings

Jacksonville June 2023 Business owner says lithium batteries are safe, despite fires | firstcoastnews.com

I'm not sure what you mean by 'spontaneously', in the Jacksonville article there is speculation about possible causes, & in the Canyon Lake they are pointing at charging overnight, but also throw the word 'retrofit' around & then speculate on other possible causes. ie: only use OEM equipment, carefully follow instructions, inspect battery for damage, don't charge past full, don't keep near flammable items, don't charge while sleeping, keep in an optimal temperature environment, & so on.

Spontaneously: Steve made the assertion, I was looking for something to back that up.

These two articles are concerning. It is implied that an inappropriate charger was being used but no concrete statement to that effect. I still trust my OEM EZGO but will be careful with anything that may habe been modified.

When I am out in my front yard, I can SMELL the POLLUTION put out by 80% of the gas golf carts that drive by. Only a 60 year old car or truck, WITHOUT a catalytic converter, would smell of POLLUTION that badly.

Something that people forget is that as more people buy E-vehicles of ANY kind, there will be greater motivation for industry to research better and better batteries. The electric motor is already bulletproof level reliable with almost zero regular maintenance.

I wonder what the true statistics are about the number of gas vs electric golf carts is in the US. I also wonder about which is the most popular in other countries like in Europe or Australia?

A person could buy an electric cart and play hot jazz in order to stay alert.

80% Electric World Wide

Golf Cart Market Share, Growth & Size | Industry Trends [2028]


A little over 80% Electric in the USA. Considering the size of the TV Market, that probably makes up at least 1/2 of the gasoline market in the entire USA. Over 80% of Yamaha USA Gas Golf Carts go to TV.

U.S. Market Study on Golf Carts: Electric Golf Cart Sales to Rise Steadily Going Forward

I did NOT realize that E-cart ownership was that HIGH (40%). I imagine with continued improvement in batteries (like more range) that E-carts will INCREASE in ownership and with more sales the price could go DOWN.

Since when does The Villages Golf Cars publish sales figures? Most of the pics they release of new carts with their owners are Yamahas.

Thanks...... 80% electric golf cart in the US and the world - nice to know that the US is as sophisticated as the rest of the world.

Not even close to 80%...

The EVP at Yamaha USA who told me that, would beg to differ with you.

Where else would they go? Other than a few low rent golf courses that might still buy a few? Gas golf carts are novelties, every place other than TV.

OK...

It depends on whether you can look yourself in the mirror after you’ve thrown away your batteries when you’ve used them up.

80% of what is produced by Yamaha goes to TV, doesn’t mean 80% of all carts in TV are gas.

Besides when we came in 07 electric was very much the norm. Of course TV was the established SS, and the newly built empty LSL. Reason everyone owned electric wasn’t to save the environment, it was what was being sold at a higher volume at the time. Farther north you go you will see more the really old electric carts, still running and owners are very happy to keep their older carts.

As TV evolved gas became more prevalent, because older batteries just wasn’t going to get you there and back in those days.

So are you saying that Villagers driving gas carts are unsophisticated?

Mired in the past, might be a better characterization.

Same reason we see so many gasoline powered carts, gussied up to be reminiscent of the 1930's. How many Villagers were even around in the 30's?

... or the seeming need of every band that shows up at the squares, to play Mustang Sally.

Outdated information
 

This is outdated information that only applies to the old lead-acid batteries. Beware of gas advocates using outdated information. Lithium golf cart batteries are just like the ones in your cell phone and will last 2000 full charge cycles just like your cell phone battery. That equates to 60,000 miles. The batteries will outlast all of us.

More outdated information
 

More outdated information which only applies to the obsolete lead-acid batteries. Even if this was current information, the dramatically lower operating cost of electric carts pay for the replacement battery cost.

Gas Better
 

It’s about 1300 dollars to put a new engine in your Yamaha quiet tech. 750 if you are so inclined to do it yourself. You may never have to do that though. The engines are quite dependable. I’ve never heard of someone’s going bad.

Also, remember you are protecting the environment by not adding large amounts of lithium waste from multiple battery replacements to the toxic landfills.

We like that you are never tethered to the life of ,”Did I plug the cart in?” “I wonder if the batteries are still good?”…….

If you have 7 minutes perhaps watch this video.

https://youtu.be/s2xrarUWVRQ?si=KysLXS62m0CZOma7

Interesting process, but no mention as to the energy intensity required and whether or not it’s a net positive or negative after considering all relevant factors.

Yeah, but you'd be avoiding all that partial burning of a fossil fuel and helping to prevent the driver of the cart behind you, from dying from the smell and fumes ahead of him.

Besides, the Federal Government apparently has a secret plan on how to dispose of all those used up batteries. They're not telling us what it is yet, but if they didn't have one, why would they be promoting EV's ?

Win - win.

Yes. Yamaha actually warranties the engines for 20 years/5000 hours if you use Yamalube and follow the maintenance schedule. I am sure there is some small print and some marketing motivation for this warranty but the bottom line is they apparently think the engines will last a long time. 5000 hours basically translates to about 80k miles. I am currently at 2000 hours with no perceptible oil consumption, decrease in miles per gallon, or reduction in top speed.