Re: (ET) ET and actual fuel costs

[steves <ssawtelle erols com>]

> 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, 

 -- Actually NO! - see below

> plus you'd have the added benefit of less noise, no fumes, and  
> reduction in air pollution.
>
> Anybody want to run the numbers?  :^)

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.

--------------------------------------------------

A quick shot:

Using the numbers above and assume:

1. 20 mows per year
2. $15 for oil/filter/plug
3. Battery cost = $420 (6*$70)
4. Battery life of 7 years
5. I'll be conservative and hope gas settles back to $2.50/gal
6. I'll be conservative and say $0.20 /kwh


On a yearly basis:

ICE:
 Gas cost = $2.50 * 3 * 20 = $150
 Oil/filter/plugs          = $ 15
 Total ===================== $165

ET:
  Electric cost = $.20 * 11.37 * 20 = $ 45
  Battery cost  =  $420/7           = $ 60
  Total ============================= $105

That's a significant difference. And I used pretty conservative numbers. 
  Also consider that ICE's wear out and few people rebuild them, where 
the  only real wear item on the ET is the batteries, and I've accounted 
for that. This also ignores time spent doing yardwork, gradening, and 
snow removal.

- SteveS