Is range the only issue in gas vs. electric?
 

The thing I see most discussed is the range of gas vs. electric. What about reliability? I see lots of posts about electric carts losing their charge, new batteries having to be replaced for unknown reasons, batteries "boiling over", problems filling batteries, etc. Are there similar or other issues with gas besides the smell?

I had a battery problem last year. Batteries were less than a year old and one of them had a problem. The terminals overheated, and melted thru an underseat tray that had some golfing vests and blankets. Burnt holes right thru 2 rarely used pullovers. Nice little 1" round holes directly above the terminals. Batteries were covered under warranty but my outfits weren't!:cus: Lucky the cart didn't catch on fire!

Golf carts
 

I have had a Club cart electric since 2003. It' s been a great cart except for battery problems. The biggest problem is that I had renters. Some know how to maintain them, some don't. Some think they do and overfill them and boil them over and shorten their life. Two sets in three years. I think it depends on how they are maintained. If you maintain them correctly you should get about five years of life. The new gas carts don't smell as bad as the old ones. I bought a new Yamaha gas in October and love it. All you do is put gas in it every couple of weeks (depending how much you use it). We haven't noticed any smell. I think gas is the way to go since TV is getting so big.

I bought a rebuild Yamaha Gas Cart because of the distance and just Gas and Go.

I love my electric golf cart! :gc:
It doesn't smell and it is quiet. I can go sixty miles on a charge. I haven't replaced the batteries in four years.

I, too, have electric and love it. Can't stand the stink of gas carts when you get behind them in the tunnels and it's hard to have a conversation over the noise without yelling. I live in the Marion County end and can get anywere and play 18 no problem. Mother Earth appreciates electric carts!

Would you share what electric cart you have?

Keep in mind you'll have a single battery on a gas cart. It's the same set-up that you have with a car battery - used for starting and the electrical (headlights, brake lights, turn signals, etc.). It requires the same maintenance you'd give your car battery.

Bill

One real minus to gas (besides the noise and smell) is that they don't do well on the ethanol in gas today. I was talking to one mechanic who says with the increase in ethanol percentages going up, you can plan on getting a new carb about every 3 years (about $85 for a rebuilt one).

True, but the battery in a gas cart is sealed and requires very little attention other than keeping the terminals clean of corrosion. The batteries in an electric cart are deep discharge heavy duty and because they are not sealed, require careful attention to maintain proper water levels.

Thats a hell of a trade off compared to new batteries @ about $800. The increase in ethanol that was approved was from 10% to 15%, but those pumps that have 15% have to be labeled as there are many vehicles that cannot run on 15%.

You know you're on TOTV when the topic is "Is Range the only issue in gas vs. electric" and the subject is golf carts....not stoves! :icon_wink:

Shimpy - I believe there are pluses and minuses to both, but consider this...

If you buy an electric, you will have the cost of electricity - to us this seems to be an undetectable blip - plus about $200 per year, escrowed toward a battery replacement (less if you consider the time value of $$).

With gas, you have the cost of the gas itself... usually premium to cut down on the smell... Not sure about mpg, etc. - but it isn't free....

For us - with my allergies/asthma - gas was not an option...

Golf cart
 

Once you go gas you'll never go back!

:coolsmiley:

:agree: :agree: :agree:

I also thought it was going to be about cooking ranges.



.

Great minds think alike. I was going to post that, no, in addition to ranges, you can buy washers and dryers in gas. :ohdear:

I have a Columbia Par Car. Quiet, very comfortable, no smell, and 60 miles on a charge. Also, it has an inboard charger so I could recharge at a friend's house, although I've never needed to do that.

I'm sure this must be my imagination, but it seems to recharge itself while I'm driving it!

Thanks

Washers???

Well, I have seen a tank that you place over the washer to heat its water separately, so a gas line for that might make sense (but the one I saw was solar powered).

There really is no reason to use premium fuel in a golf cart. Yamaha, in fact, states "regular gasoline only" in the owner's manual and on a sticker under the seat.
Premium fuel is simply gasoline with additives which increase the octane rating of the fuel in order to reduce pinging, or pre-ignition on higher compression engines.
Save your money and use regular gas in the cart. It'll be just as happy and your wallet will be a little fatter.

Also, most people think "premium" is better and has more power or energy. It is actully the same as far as energy or power is concerned. The only difference between "regular" and "premium" is "premium" has additives to make it slower burning. I've heard of many engines that actually didn't perform as well with "premium". Like bluedog said, save your money.

One more option
 

Gel batteries....More expensive $1200 BUT and an important BUT they last 8 to 9 years....Friend has a 2002 Gem with original Gel Batteries....Amazing!

And the other way to read this is...
Once you go gas, you'll never go back!

I went gas, and hated it. I'll never go back.
It was like riding a lawnmower, and we had to shout to have any kind of conversation. Nope. I'll never go back.

Yep... both have good points. If you want nice quiet and odor free cruising but limited distance, then electric is for you. On the other hand, gas will get you where you want all day long without worrying about if your battery is going to get you home or not. I have both... best of both worlds.

I have a 2008 GEM with Gel Batteries ... I have noticed a slight (small) decrease in range already ... I hope that I get the battery life your friend did ... replacement is EXPENSIVE ($2000 or for 9 8V about $3,000) ... has your friend seen decreased range?

John

The biggest deciding factor for me was the issue of storing batteries in the hot garage. As snowbirds we are away from the Villages during the hot summer months and the heat kills the batteries when they are stored in the garage. We remove the single battery from our gas cart and store it in a container in the laundry room, add some stabilizer, pump up the tires to the max pressure allowed on the tire sidewall and when we return in the fall the cart is good to go.

Love my electric cart
 

Love my electric cart because it is quiet and doesn't smell. It has never let me down. I have had no problems...except for a flat tire!

I have a 2008 reconditioned Yamaha gas cart with a new yesturyear body, with an extended exhaust pipe, I have no oders, and its almost as quiet as an electric when cruising. We use it all the time for everything, I use 5 gals of gas every two weeks. I bought it from The Villages, and it came with a 2 year warranty. We love it and are looking to buy another, now that we sold our 2nd car. Since Dec. we have put about 3000 miles on it with out any problems.

For the record, I have towed 4 electric carts back to their home...

Gas Disadvantages
 

Leaks, oil and gas are a possibility with a gas cart. I have a Club Car electric and range anxiety was an issue until I added a charge indicator and began making 30+ mile trips around the villages without a problem. I do have a newer set of 48V batteries so range might become a concern in the future.

Seen some posts about high test gas in carts. Actually your cart will run cooler with high test, lawn mower to.

I am waiting to buy a hybrid golf cart:D

electric vs gas comparison
 

the following is taken from a fact sheet that's available at The Villages golf cart store...believe it or not! :undecided:

Electric

• quieter than gas
• low emissions
• requires no gas to operate
• up to 60 miles range per charge

Gas

• lighter than an electric cart
• no hydrogen fumes from batteries
• does not require daily charging
• up to 250 miles range on a full tank
• less user maintenance
• higher resale value

Electric - average monthly operating cost

• based on 10 miles per day average
• 2.5 KWH to charge (new) = 0.29
• 10 KWH to charge (at end of life) = 1.13
• battery replacement (3 years = 816.00) = 22.67
• difference in resale value = 1.39
• annual maintenance = 4.17
• TOTAL MONTHLY OPERATING COST = 49.53

Gas - average monthly operating cost

• based on 10 miles per day average
• 40 mpg @ 4.00 per gallon = 30.00
• battery (6 years = 80.00) = 0.11
• annual maintenance = 5.39
• TOTAL MONTHLY OPERATING COST = 35.50

Respectfully disagree with the sign they have up. Check out number 3

http://www.ehow.com/how_4818084_betw...golf-cart.html

Agree with Jim. Been in this conversation many times! People who only own gas will say gas. People who own both and keep records have found the electric is cheaper.

Respectfully disagree Larry. I own both and they both have there pro's and con's. However hands down, no guessing, tracked the data, and electric is more expensive by almost 40%. My figures are a little different (both slightly less) then TV, but the difference is about the same.

I agree...I own both electric and gas and have found that the electric is more expensive.

You guys might be right. I just know what I hear. Maybe it depends on the amount of miles driven a day.
Had the conversation again tonight with a large group of guys. They average about 100-120 miles a week.( Run all over playing sports) They pay 12-15 dollars a week. About 600 dollars a year. Over 4 years, about 2,400 dollars. Batteries last about 4 years and they cost about 800 dollars. So there is their math. Plus they love that electric is quiet and no smell and no running to gas stations or storing gas.
I think it comes down to how many miles you drive a day and what you like.

I have to question to the statement: "Electric golf carts are emission free, and therefore better for the environment, which is also one of their biggest selling points". Emissions free? Where does all that electricity come from? Fact (from the U.S. Dept of Energy): "The nation's fleet of over 100 coal plants is responsible for 57 percent of the electricity generated in the U.S., more than any other single electricity fuel source." The statement that electric carts are "emissions free" is simply not accurate, and the facts are more complicated than the simplistic statement that an electric cart is "better for the environment".