Gas or Electric Golf Cart for a Run-About?

[patrick_g]

With only 15 acres there is no reason an electric cart wouldn't do just fine. If you are religious about plugging it in you should have ample range for sure. Driving around 15 acres is no more than 18 holes of golf. Sure, gas would work too but more maint, fumes, fuel handling, cold start concerns and gas engine noise could be an issue if you want to see more wildlife.

There are mods available for electric carts to make them faster and more powerful if there are concerns along those lines. A good electric cart will haul 4 fat old men around 18 holes of golf up and down hills reliably.

Pat

 

[CompactTractorFan]

I would go with gas...IMO

 

[Gale Hawkins]

With only 15 acres there is no reason an electric cart wouldn't do just fine. If you are religious about plugging it in you should have ample range for sure. Driving around 15 acres is no more than 18 holes of golf. Sure, gas would work too but more maint, fumes, fuel handling, cold start concerns and gas engine noise could be an issue if you want to see more wildlife.

There are mods available for electric carts to make them faster and more powerful if there are concerns along those lines. A good electric cart will haul 4 fat old men around 18 holes of golf up and down hills reliably.

Pat

Pat you sold me. Wed we are going to pick it up on Wed. It is near Frankfort so we are going to visit the Capital Building too. It is a 2007 EZGO PDS and we added the seat/bed and head/tail lights. Ours is white but here is a black one with our options and to get a non white one is an $500 option. Cart Detail

 

[dieselscout80]

Questions for both gassers and electrics:

Do you wish it was a 4x4?

We have hills and I worry about getting it stuck.

Will knobby/ATV tires be enough?

Are the dump beds worth getting?

 

[CrownHawg]

I bought a 2005 gas Yamaha Golfcart about 4 years ago to just ride back and forth to our neighbors at the lake. About 2 years ago I installed a 6" lift along with ITP mud tires. I was absolutely amazed at how "capable" this thing is. I have taken it on short trips several miles in pretty rough terrain and never had it hesitate. Of course it's no Rhino, but for a golf cart, it does great. This thing literally sips the gas too. In the 4 years I've had it, I think I have filled the gas tank like 3 times! I bought the light kit from BU and installed it myself. I think my next investment will be the flip flop rear seat kit along with the heavy duty springs. I wanted gas just so I wouldn't be looking at hundreds of dollars in battery replacement every 2-3 years.

 

[dieselscout80]

How does the cold affect the electric carts batteries?

 

[HickoryNut]

I've been stuck once in ten years, made it though the mud but couldn't quite climb out the other side. I snapped a pic, hung my "no trespassing" sign, put it in reverse and went back out the way I came. Sure made a nasty mess of me and the buggy though.

 

[Gale Hawkins]

I bought a 2005 gas Yamaha Golfcart about 4 years ago to just ride back and forth to our neighbors at the lake. About 2 years ago I installed a 6" lift along with ITP mud tires. I was absolutely amazed at how "capable" this thing is. I have taken it on short trips several miles in pretty rough terrain and never had it hesitate. Of course it's no Rhino, but for a golf cart, it does great. This thing literally sips the gas too. In the 4 years I've had it, I think I have filled the gas tank like 3 times! I bought the light kit from BU and installed it myself. I think my next investment will be the flip flop rear seat kit along with the heavy duty springs. I wanted gas just so I wouldn't be looking at hundreds of dollars in battery replacement every 2-3 years.

Gas is great. Do not understand your remark about battery life and cost?

Deep Cycle 6v should last 5-10 years for our use plus dealers discounts electric carts vs gas more than the cost of your second set.

 

[grunewald]

Batteries will last for years if maintenance done correctly. Keep tops of batteries clean, connections clean, use distilled water ONLY for batteries, keep level up. As for as running out of juice, I recharge mine overnite, does take hours to do this, and if at full charge, can run it hard all day long and run down only 1/3 on gauge. Electric carts have their place, and gas carts also. Not saying the electric is better than gas, think the gas is probably better overall for all circumstances, think the electric is more for a specific situation, as in my case.

 

[AKwelder]

in Minnesota my grand parents us electric carts on the 160 acre farm and have for 20 years. They enjoy being able to hear nature around them. electric is quit. I can't believe that any vehicle has given them more miles for the money. They keep up the place and set a lot of bird and wood duck houses. On top of this grandpa keeps a system of trails cut to allow access around the farm. In all the years we have pulled trailers, carts, firewood, dads dead truck, and more. The only complaint that i have ever had was the area for the golf clubs didn't work well for cargo. But it does the job. Guess we need to but from the buggy site.

My dad bought and electric 10 years ago and he has had no mechanical issues except watering the batteries and cleaning the terminals. Same for my grand parents. In fact dad has yet to change a tire. He drives on the grass all the time.

As for running out of charge, there are gauges and you learn your machine. My dad charges his every week unless my kids are over, then it needs it more often.