Golf cart vs. e-bike: running cost
An e-bike is cheaper to run: about $16 a year versus $99 for a golf cart at typical use and 17.99¢/kWh, a $82 difference.
| Golf cart | E-bike | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical watts | 900 W | 100 W |
| Watt range | 500–1,500 W | 60–250 W |
| Typical use | 10 miles a day | 10 miles a day |
| Energy per year | 548 kWh | 91 kWh |
| Cost per hour | 16¢ | 1.8¢ |
| Cost per day | 27¢ | 4.5¢ |
| Cost per month | $8.21 | $1.37 |
| Cost per year | $99 | $16 |
| Per year in Hawaii (43.51¢) | $238 | $40 |
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What drives the difference
- Golf cart: Electric golf carts use about 0.12-0.18 kWh per mile at the wall, roughly 1-2 kWh a day for neighborhood use.
- E-bike: E-bikes use about 15-25 Wh per mile, roughly 0.025 kWh at the wall, so 10 miles a day costs about $15 a year.
Ways to cut either cost
Smart plug with timer
Stops charging at 80% for battery longevity.
See options on Amazon Lithium golf cart battery
More efficient charging and lighter weight than lead-acid.
See options on AmazonWe may earn a commission from qualifying purchases. It never changes the numbers we show. Disclosure.
Frequently asked questions
Which costs more to run, a golf cart or an e-bike?
At typical use and the U.S. average rate (17.99¢/kWh), a golf cart costs about $99 a year versus $16 for an e-bike. That's $82 more, or 6.0× as much.
How many watts do golf cart and e-bike use?
A golf cart typically draws 900 W (range 500–1,500 W). An e-bike draws 100 W (range 60–250 W). Watts alone don't decide cost. Hours of use, cycling and standby matter just as much.
Rates: EIA, 12 months ending 2026-07. Methodology.