INSIDE
By Stephen Metzger
Managing Director
Small Vehicle Resource, LLC
[email protected]
www.smallvehicleresource.com
THE GATED
COMMUNITY
I
t seems that every time there is
a innovation suggested in small
vehicles, such as our personal
transportation vehicles (PTVs), the
immediate concern by manufactur-
ers and marketers is price rather
than performance. The introduction
of lithium power into the universe
of small vehicles is no different in
this regard. Ultimately, we as the
consumer base for lithium batter-
ies (for PTVs) will make or break
the market; that is, we will decide
whether the extra cost is offset by
better performance.
Will Price Be a Barrier
to the Lithium Battery
Market?
would be more expensive than DC
motors. Our view at the time was
that the better incremental perfor-
mance of AC motors would be more
than compensatory. As you know,
AC power is now mainstream.
So, we have somewhat the same
scenario with regard to lithium
batteries. The really exciting thing
is that there are now several battery
makers that feature a “drop-in” lith-
ium battery solution, thus opening
up the vast aftermarket for PTVs
for easy conversions from lead acid
technology.
Prediction: Lithium will take over
As a lifelong market researcher, and
having concentrated the past two
decades on small, task-oriented
vehicles (STOVs) of al sorts, includ-
ing golf cars, PTVs, utility vehicles,
and off-road vehicles, the market
reports generated by my company,
Small Vehicle Resource, LLC, are rife
with predictions and forecasts—and,
for the most part they have been on
target.
One small example of this: the fore-
cast regarding AC electric motors.
Not so long ago, the timorous were
hesitating because the AC motor
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My prediction is that lithium pow-
er will take over much of the small
vehicle market, and in the balance of
this article, I will state my case.
The performance data: Lithium
batteries compared to lead acid
Compared to lead acid batteries, the
upfront cost of a lithium battery is
quite a bit more. Eight 6-volt Trojan
T105 batteries run about $1,900.
Checking prices on golf car batteries
from RELiON Battery and Allied
Battery a lithium battery pack deliv-
ering 40-50 miles of driving distance
will run between $2,200-$2,600.
So, lets say the price difference
could range between $400-$700.
But once the performance differ-
ences are factored, especially with
regard to the number of lifetime cy-
cles, it is hard to argue that lithium is
not the better buy.
By the way, it is very easy to make
the conversion. In fact you can even
order online and have your battery
shipped directly to you. Once you
have the battery in hand you need
only extract the lead acid batter-
ies (careful they are heavy), drop
in the new lithiums, and hook up
the cables. No need to change out
the controller or even the charger
(although Allied does promote its
own charger). If you are uncertain
about this you can always revert to
your local golf car dealer or order
through him.
As to the key performance differ-
ences, the table below gives you
some idea about the tremendous
edge lithium batteries have over lead
acid. In choosing among brands, it’s
always a good idea to check the re-
views on third party internet-based
distributor sites—and, of course,
consult with your local dealer.