[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by roob1

Is this the manufacturer's recommendation?

We were instructed by The Villages Golf Cars to keep the cart plugged in when it is in the garage. Not sure if this is recommended by Yamaha but we have done it this way ever since we purchased the cart in 2016. Our original set of lead batteries was just replaced 8 months ago.

[MorTech]

Lead-acid batteries need to be kept fully charged to avoid sulfation...Lithium Ion does not have that problem. The Yamaha charger will kick off a new charge cycle every 2 weeks for top-up when you leave it plugged in.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by Lottoguy

Keep in mind electric carts will lose distance in cold weather. It's not always hot here in The Villages.

I went 40 miles round trip to golf last winter with my STAR EV and it was 38° when I left the house. I routinely make that same trip to golf in the fall spring and summer. I have yet to notice any difference in the battery drain.

[Vermilion Villager]

Originally Posted by mrf0151

It is interesting that all these posts about electric VS gas carts is always started by a person with an electric cart. Face it electric cart owners, you all do have range anxiety. Maybe the lithium batteries have helped that issue. We will see as the years roll by.
One thing with the electric VS gas issue that no one talks about is what you are going to get on return for the cart when you want to sell it. It is absolutely proven that the best value BY FAR is a gas cart as the return on investment is much higher with a Yamaha gas cart.

Wow!!! Making a lot of assumptions there aren't you?
No I do not have range anxiety. I have never come close to getting to the point where I was even remotely concerned I would not have enough charge left. The longest trip I've ever taken with it is about 50 miles… And judging from the other posts that is right in line with the maximum driven in one sitting by most of the other posters. I've golfed over 85% of the golf courses in the villages from my place in Marsh Bend. Even on the longest trip I took I still had between a half and quarter charge left when I returned.
The first lithium powered golf carts are now almost 10 years old. I spoke with the sales person at golf carts of the villages and they said they have never replaced a lithium battery on any golf cart yet… How many engines and transmissions do you think have been repaired or replaced?
As far as return on investment look at all of the used gas powered golf carts sitting in the dealerships along 301 and even inside the villages. Now go try finding a used Lithium powered cart… Good luck with that!

[MorTech]

Originally Posted by MorTech

Over 60,000 miles you will pay $3000 in just oil changes alone on a Yamaha gas serviced at TVGC...Not to mention the hassle of 50 service appointments. Gasoline is 8X more expensive than electricity for a EZGO Elite for an additional $4000 expense...Not to mention the hassle of going to, and fueling at a gas station with the tank located under the seat. At 60,000 miles, the EZGO will have a range of 48 miles instead of the 60 miles when new...So there is that. That's $7000 more for just those 2 expenses over 12 years and 60,000 miles.

If you can't see the value in that then there really is no helping you.

[raggedy-andy]

Originally Posted by MorTech

If you can't see the value in that then there really is no helping you.

Let's hope that the valuation in electric golf carts does not mimic that of the EV automotive market. I have an EV car that I like but would only ever lease since getting rid of one after just a couple of years makes you subject to obsolescence and depreciation that makes an investment in an internal combustion engine (ICE) look like a blue chip stock. I'll let the lease finance take that risk.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by mbene

Every time anyone writes about golf carts it usually turns into a gas vs electric thread and then gets into a range war.
I want to know how far you REALLY travel day to day. I don't want guesstimates, I want real world numbers.
The distance from Mulberry Grove Rec Center at the very north of the Villages to Saluki Rec Center at the south is 22 miles, I doubt anyone is making that trip daily. Round trip would be 44 miles.
It would be nice if people got in their cart in the morning, noted the beginning miles, did their average daily trips, then noted the total miles traveled at the end of the day.
I'm guessing most would be surprised that they really don't go as far as they think they do.

Average 5 to 10 miles day usually. Some days less than 2 miles.

[Topspinmo]

Originally Posted by Vermilion Villager

Wow!!! Making a lot of assumptions there aren't you?
No I do not have range anxiety. I have never come close to getting to the point where I was even remotely concerned I would not have enough charge left. The longest trip I've ever taken with it is about 50 miles… And judging from the other posts that is right in line with the maximum driven in one sitting by most of the other posters. I've golfed over 85% of the golf courses in the villages from my place in Marsh Bend. Even on the longest trip I took I still had between a half and quarter charge left when I returned.
The first lithium powered golf carts are now almost 10 years old. I spoke with the sales person at golf carts of the villages and they said they have never replaced a lithium battery on any golf cart yet… How many engines and transmissions do you think have been repaired or replaced?
As far as return on investment look at all of the used gas powered golf carts sitting in the dealerships along 301 and even inside the villages. Now go try finding a used Lithium powered cart… Good luck with that!

Aren’t you making the same assumptions?

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by MorTech

Over 60,000 miles you will pay $3000 in just oil changes alone on a Yamaha gas serviced at TVGC...Not to mention the hassle of 50 service appointments. ........

Please tell me what I'm doing wrong. 26,000 miles on my 2015 Yamaha, 8 oil changes, 9th due soon, and a total cost of under $250. Runs perfectly, 5-gallon gas tank, range close to 300 miles and no exploitation of children in Zimbabwe lithium mines

[Shipping up to Boston]

Originally Posted by golfing eagles

Please tell me what I'm doing wrong. 26,000 miles on my 2015 Yamaha, 8 oil changes, 9th due soon, and a total cost of under $250. Runs perfectly, 5-gallon gas tank, range close to 300 miles and no exploitation of children in Zimbabwe lithium mines

EV Extremism (Purple Nike’s optional)

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Shipping up to Boston

EV Extremism (Purple Nike’s optional)

Exactly. And I wouldn't rule out latent range anxiety either

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Originally Posted by kcrazorbackfan

2019 Quiet Tech w/ 21,000 miles so I drive a lot.

Impressive!
16.5k on a 19' Elite
No noticiable degradation thus far.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

I didn’t even think about how far I would drive - went with 2 gas carts
simple, efficient, reliable.

You left out Smelly, hot seat, jerky in reverse

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Tyrone Shoelaces

You left out Smelly, hot seat, jerky in reverse

And noisy! And my gas cart requires a battery or it won’t go. That batter is one more potential thing that can fail. You pays your money and takes your choice!

[MorTech]

Originally Posted by raggedy-andy

Let's hope that the valuation in electric golf carts does not mimic that of the EV automotive market. I have an EV car that I like but would only ever lease since getting rid of one after just a couple of years makes you subject to obsolescence and depreciation that makes an investment in an internal combustion engine (ICE) look like a blue chip stock. I'll let the lease finance take that risk.

I would not buy an electric automobile but it can be a viable option for retirees in Florida. The car/battery will outlast them. My E63 also depreciates rapidly but you will have to pry it out of my cold dead hands.

After 12 years and 60K miles in a cart you can replace the battery for maybe $3K and get another 12 years/60K miles. There are no wear items in an electric cart except the battery and tires...Maybe steering joints and front wheel bearings.