Charge vs Gas Cost Calculator
Compare what your golf cart really costs to run, electricity vs gasoline, per mile and per year.
How Much Cheaper Is an Electric Golf Cart to Run?
An electric golf cart costs roughly 2 to 4 cents per mile in electricity, while a gas golf cart costs 8 to 12 cents per mile in fuel, often 3 to 4 times more. This calculator gives you the exact numbers for your power rates, driving distance, and cart efficiency, so you can see your real annual savings.
Electric Cost Per Mile
Electric cost depends on three things: how many watt-hours your cart uses per mile, your electricity rate, and charging efficiency. A typical 48V cart uses about 150 Wh/mile on flat ground (110 Wh/mile light, up to 200 Wh/mile loaded or hilly, the same figures our range calculator uses). Because chargers and batteries lose energy, we divide by about 85% efficiency.
At the U.S. average rate of about $0.16/kWh, a 48V cart costs roughly $0.028 per mile. Lithium packs run slightly cheaper than lead-acid because they charge more efficiently, see our lithium savings calculator.
Gas Cost Per Mile
Gas carts get between 30 and 45 MPG depending on model, a Yamaha Drive can approach 40+ MPG while older E-Z-GO and Club Car engines sit nearer 30. At 35 MPG and $3.30/gallon, that is about $0.094 per mile, more than triple the electric cost. Gas also adds oil changes, spark plugs, and air filters that electric carts skip.
When Does Gas Still Make Sense?
Despite the higher running cost, gas wins on range and refuel speed: a tank lasts far longer than a charge and refills in seconds, which matters for hunting, large acreage, and all-day utility use. For neighborhood cruising and golf, electric is cheaper and quieter. Our gas vs. electric guide covers the full trade-off.
See Your Total Ownership Cost
Fuel is only part of the story. Battery replacement, maintenance, insurance, and depreciation all add up. Run your specific cart through the 5-year cost of ownership calculator, and if you are still shopping, use the cart finder to match a model to your budget.
Worked Example: Neighborhood Cart vs Gas
Say you drive 12 miles a day, about 4,400 miles a year. An average 48V electric cart at 150 Wh/mile and $0.16/kWh works out to roughly $0.028 per mile, or about $123 a year in electricity. The same miles in a 35 MPG gas cart at $3.30 a gallon cost about $0.094 per mile, near $415 a year. That is close to $290 saved every year on fuel alone before you count the oil, plugs, and filters a gas engine still needs. Cut the miles in half and you still save around $145 a year.
How to Read Your Result and What to Do Next
The cost per mile and annual savings figures are the ones to act on. If your electric cost per mile lands above 4 cents, your rate or your Wh/mile is high, check the efficiency setting and your utility bill. If gas still wins for you, it is almost always because of range or refuel speed, not running cost. Next step: confirm your real electric rate from a bill, pick the efficiency band that matches your terrain and load, then carry the number into the cost of ownership calculator so battery and maintenance are in the budget too.
Related reading: Want the full background, not just the numbers? Read our golf cart cost per mile guide for the complete walkthrough.