[gorillarick]

Electric is great. Quiet, smooth, don't stink (except while charging lead batts).
Lead ones are heavier. Electric costs more up front (not talking about the imported ones from you know where - you get what you pay for - maybe?)

Butt, look at the replacement costs for replacing the batteries.
Warranty? Pro-rated?
(pro-rated means you have to go back to the guys that over-charged you the first time).

And don't say they last forever. And definitely don't say the cheaper replacement batteries are worth a flyin'#$%^%.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Although you weren’t addressing me, I will chime in on that question. I prefer to rely on empirical evidence. I’ve been driving around the Villages for 9 years in a golf cart and I always carry a tow strap. I even have a trailer hitch on the back of my Quiet Tech that provides a quick, easy, and safe point to attach the strap. Over the years, I have towed at least 6 dead carts that I can easily recall. I have never had to tow a gas cart. Granted, electric cart technology has definitely improved over the years, and the carts I have towed were most likely not newer lithium technology.

Good information.

I don't believe that zero gas carts have had problems in the past nine years but perhaps getting a can of gas was a simpler solution for them.

[twoplanekid]

I have owned electric golf carts since day one in the Villages some 9 years ago and have never run out of juice. However, I was a private pilot for over 50 years and never ran out of gas so I do pay attention to fuel/electric status. And, some day I hope to own a Tesla to charge up at home like I do with electric golf carts.

P.S. - my current electric cart with a 1 1/2 year old battery still gives me over 45 plus miles of range which is enough for me

[Michael G.]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

He wasn't considering Solar, Hydrogen or the myriad of other possibilities?

It's always gas vs electric. We need a new player.

Here's your new player...HYBRID SUV..

One vehicle using gas and battery.
Has AC.
Better ride.
Comfortable seating.
Seats more people.
Carry's more groceries.
One insurance policy.
No worry's on range limit.
Store one vehicle.
Maintenace one vehicle.

You get the idea.

[justjim]

I did have one neighbor, a few years ago, who ran out of gas when he switched from battery to gas. His wife still talks about it to his embarrassment. Of course, I never mention it to him when I see him. In the almost 18 years in TV, I’ve probably seen at least 9 or 10 electric carts “broke down” (out of power) along the side of trails. That’s not many and I’m on the go a lot so it happens and that is mostly the fault of the golf cart driver who was too cheap to replace his batteries. But to each his own.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Vinscalese

Trying to decide on new cart. Really like the electric but have range anxiety! lol…. Not moved in yet so new and not sure how many miles people really go. Is 75 or so miles on the STAR enough do you think?

Yes, for most people. My range about 20 miles if that. If you’re not jumping all over villages daily more than enough. Villages from one end to other around 20 miles or maybe more?

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

He wasn't considering Solar, Hydrogen or the myriad of other possibilities?

It's always gas vs electric. We need a new player.

I’m waiting for steam power to make comeback!

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

As this is the first post in this thread to mention gas, just WHO is it that "opened this can of worms again?"

But if you want to take this thread there, what data do you have that indicates electric carts are less reliable than gas? I can find threads about voltage regulator problems, starter brush problems, 12V battery problems (in gas carts), jerky start problems, and gas carts catching fire. From the actual problems reported on this forum (not speculation, actual problems) it would seem the reliability of electric carts exceeds that of gas carts.

Arguing just like in court of law. No one really right, just have to convince jury. But just make sure the jury don’t have all electric carts or gas carts.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by justjim

I did have one neighbor, a few years ago, who ran out of gas when he switched from battery to gas. His wife still talks about it to his embarrassment. Of course, I never mention it to him when I see him. In the almost 18 years in TV, I’ve probably seen at least 9 or 10 electric carts “broke down” (out of power) along the side of trails. That’s not many and I’m on the go a lot so it happens and that is mostly the fault of the golf cart driver who was too cheap to replace his batteries. But to each his own.

I was behind cart when it when through roundabout exiting tunnel the driver forgot to straighten front wheels and slammed into medium roundabout curve. Bent front tie rod, I don’t blame the golf cart.

[npwalters]

To directly answer your question, yes. 75 mile range is more than sufficient for anything you want to do in TV. 50 mile range is too.

[Vinscalese]

Wow lots of emotion around this one ! lol. Sorry everyone. But I do very much appreciate the dialogue and the information. Hesitate to ask but what the hell, lol. Can you “tune up” an electric cart like a gas cart to attain a higher speed then the speed set by the dealer ? Again thanks to all.

[Packer Fan]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

Although you weren’t addressing me, I will chime in on that question. I prefer to rely on empirical evidence. I’ve been driving around the Villages for 9 years in a golf cart and I always carry a tow strap. I even have a trailer hitch on the back of my Quiet Tech that provides a quick, easy, and safe point to attach the strap. Over the years, I have towed at least 6 dead carts that I can easily recall. I have never had to tow a gas cart. Granted, electric cart technology has definitely improved over the years, and the carts I have towed were most likely not newer lithium technology.

That must be dumb luck. I have 2 late model Yamaha gas carts (1 in each rental). Kart aid has been called many times in 10 years- several broken belts, dead battery (left the lights on golfing, even though told not to), Dead battery(really needed replacing), and 3 or 4 flat tires. Don't tell me gas carts don't have problems - and they are serviced yearly.

Besides that OP, if you have a wife, they WILL complain about the gas smell, even if you don't (just guessing you are a guy).

One last thing - why would you spend 20 grand on a star cart when you can get a fully loaded Evolution D5 for about $12 grand. Go drive one at Hidden Creek Golf carts - across the highway from Brownwood behind the emergency center and McDonalds. The villages golf carts has a very high opinion of themselves based on their prices..... Full disclosure, we just got a D5 after a long search. Make sure you get the large battery. I wouldn't worry about anything over 50 miles, thats a lot of time in a golf cart, and I LOVE riding in Golf carts..

[Rocksnap]

Hummmm let me ponder. Need to plug the cart in every freakin evening. Hope the electronics don’t get fried in a lightening strike. Or just pump a lil gas every so often. Tough choice!

[Rocksnap]

Originally Posted by Packer Fan

That must be dumb luck. I have 2 late model Yamaha gas carts (1 in each rental). Kart aid has been called many times in 10 years- several broken belts, dead battery (left the lights on golfing, even though told not to), Dead battery(really needed replacing), and 3 or 4 flat tires. Don't tell me gas carts don't have problems - and they are serviced yearly.

Besides that OP, if you have a wife, they WILL complain about the gas smell, even if you don't (just guessing you are a guy).

One last thing - why would you spend 20 grand on a star cart when you can get a fully loaded Evolution D5 for about $12 grand. Go drive one at Hidden Creek Golf carts - across the highway from Brownwood behind the emergency center and McDonalds. The villages golf carts has a very high opinion of themselves based on their prices..... Full disclosure, we just got a D5 after a long search. Make sure you get the large battery. I wouldn't worry about anything over 50 miles, thats a lot of time in a golf cart, and I LOVE riding in Golf carts..

Wow! Calling your need of having gas cart issues over the last 10 years. You can just drive them till failure. Or, hear me out, do a lil preventative maintenance on them.
If you are blowing belts on a Yamaha, you are doing something seriously wrong.
During my years overseeing a fleet of 70 gas carts that run 36 holes, 7 days a week for 5 years, a blown belt is not in my vocabulary.

[PersonOfInterest]

Throw into the mix the following.

Gas carts can have failures from blown Clutch or drive belt as well as a dead battery. Gas carts also have maintenance for the gas engine. There are more points of possible failure on a gas cart than an electric.

I have both types of carts. The Gas cart has failed twice, blown Clutch and dead battery. Electric has not had any failures.