Re: (ET) ET and actual fuel costs

[Stephen & Carol Welch <welches paonline com>]

I was doing some thinking about something similar while mowing last  
weekend.  To be accurate some further work is necessary:
(ICE vs. ElecTrak)
1.  Gasoline = electrons (energy source)
2.  Gasoline = batteries (storage medium)
3.  Gasoline mower also requires oil & filter changes & spark plugs.

So, comparing ICE with electric operating costs, one should factor in  
new batteries every 5 years (or whatever) since the gas you buy for  
the mower is also the energy storage medium.  Then on the other  
side,  oil & spark plugs for the ICE.  Most other costs (tires, etc.)  
could be considered comparable.

Just thinking it over (no calculators or spreadsheets involved) I'm  
guessing that the ET and the ICE would at least come out to be a  
wash, plus you'd have the added benefit of less noise, no fumes, and  
reduction in air pollution.

Anybody want to run the numbers?  :^)

On Sep 7, 2005, at 12:46 PM, Gordon Trump wrote:

> I have over 2 acres of rough terrain, but mostly flat lawn. My old  
> Craftsman tractor with a pooged 20 hp gas engine needs about 3  
> gallons (@$3.29 this week) = $10 to mow it.
>
> Very heavy mowing this week, but I used my (under restoration) C185  
> (E15) with front deck. Half on Saturday, half Sunday. Recharge  
> power was 6.17 kw and 5.2 kw = 11.37kw = $1.14 at my electric rates.
>
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