Gas vs. Electric

[LittleDog]

I recently traded in my 3 1/2 year old club car because the batteries were failing. I spent many a trip driving 14 mph just to conserve the batteries. I prefer electric but got tired of always checking the batteries and would probably have to have the batteries replaced after 3-4 years again. In any case I decided to get a gas cart so that I would not have more battery issues and because the Villages is getting larger. However, on that point my house is near the center of the Villages so distance to either end is not too great. I bought the cart and after 116 miles I was near Southern Trace so decided to get more gas because my gauge was down to almost 1/4. I put in 3.583 gallons and this came to 11.35. Unfortunately that came to an average mpg of 32.65. I was told I should expect around 50 mpg. As the cart is brand new I don't know whether that may effect the gas mileage. In any case I started to think. What would be more economical, gas or electric. Buying gas for 3-4 years may be either less or more costly than replacing batteries.

Has anyone given this any thought?

John

[redwitch]

I'd guess that gas still would be cheaper. You don't have the additional electric costs for daily/nightly charging.

BTW -- Used to live in Asbury Park (well, Deal, actually). Hi ya!!!

[Bill-n-Brillo]

John -

Here's one of several threads that explores the cost of gas versus electric. Detailed feedback starts at post #34:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/showthread.php?t=36278

There are so many variables that affect mileage: If you're running at full-throttle most of the time (topping out at 19 mph.......right? :-) ), you'll get worse mileage than if you go 15-16 mph, and so on. Maybe you didn't have your tank full when you first started out and/or filled it up to the max when refueling. Probably best to compute an average mpg over several consecutive tanks to get a better read on it.

Hope that helps!

Bill :)

[downeaster]

I would not make my choice based on fuel. I think the long term costs would be very similar. I would make my decision on other considerations.Other threads have covered these considerations in detail.