America EV carts
 

Are you familiar with American EV golf carts? Dependability? Ease of getting service/repairs locally?

I am setting the over/under at 6.5 posts, that this thread into a debate on gas vs electric golf carts.

Never heard of them before, but found their website. Looks like they are made in Texas (not China), and have a decent base price. But then you add on all the things you expect, like a full enclosure and golf bag holder, etc, etc. Price adds up quickly. From the photos, I don't think those tires would be allowed on any golf course down here. Regular lead acid batteries (no lithium option), but the carts do use A/C motors instead of D/C, which is a "plus". Looks like they bypass dealers and sell direct to the customer. Good luck on service when you need it.

Lead Acid batteries is a non-starter for me.

never heard of them, which to me is reason enough to avoid them.

When I drive my cart around TV I see plenty of Club Cars, Yamahas, and EZ Goes, and fewer, but some of the other brands, like Evolution, Par Car, Atomic, and some other brands whose names I don't know, but I recognize the body style.

If I wanted to go exotic (which I wouldn't) I'd at least stick to a model I'd seen a few of around TV.
Some people enjoy having something unique, and there is nothing wrong with that, but as mentioned, the more unique it is, the harder it will be to service.

However, for me, I'd stay "vanilla-vanilla", and go with one of the "Big Three" you see hundreds of every day.

Stay away. You are asking for headaches down the road. Buy something with the latest technology like the new lithium EZGO's.
Every golf cart needs service over time. Parts and service right here in The Villages for as long as you own it.

Also, distances from south 44 much further to anywhere than from North 44. There are no charging stations for EV except your garage.

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

An Atomic golf cart with lithium batteries can go 80 miles, on a charge.

This is what is called a BRAND “X” golf cart - you should stick with the “norm” here as you will have problems!!

I don't think u can get better than the Evolution, comes with everything for 10K,
just don't buy it from the villages dealer, go to Clearmont The Golf Cart Company - New & Used Golf Carts, Parts, Service, and Financing in Clermont, FL. Near Minneola and Orlando


Reason to go these is not only price but they set speed at 25,
the Villages dealer refuses.They say no golf cart is allowed to go over 20mph by law

48V AC Induction motor drive system

Lithium Battery

9-inch touchscreen with Speedometer display ,back-up camera ,Stereo system ,Bluetooth connection ……

Luxury 2 Tone Seats*

Decorative Strip

Colored Decorative Wheel Trim

Dashboard with color-matching cupholder insert

Luxury Steering Wheel

Golf bag holder & sweater basket

Plastic rear seat kit with trunk & cup holders

Rearview Mirror

Horn

USB Charging Ports

400A EVOLUTION controller

6.3kw motor

I don't know who told you that the Villages dealers will not set the speed above 20mph. I bought my Yamaha from The Villages Golf Carts and they set my max speed to 23mph!

Yep. They've been doing it for years.

BJ’s has charging stations

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

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??

BINGO, you hit the nail on the head!

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.

Should have taken the OVER.

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.

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

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.

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.

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 ?

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

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.

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?

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!!!:a040:
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. :eclipsee_gold_cup:

Do they charge for charging stations?

Did you get that in writing ? Salesman say a lot of things.

Welcome to TOTV.