My Grandmother: The EV Queen

My grandmother was in town visiting this last week. While I missed the family dinner with her (as my mother picked a date out of the blue WITHOUT asking people IF they were available first) I was able to visit her by myself a few days ago. I brought some slides and photographs that I had converted for her, and that got her talking about old times. What I hadn’t realized, is that my grandmother is the undisputed Queen of EV’s. My grandparents lived in Wisconsin, but after retirement, started spending winters in Arizona. Where they lived, many people used golf carts to zip around the retirement community, and travel to the local grocery store and other places for other near-by needs. Since my grandfather passed away, my grandmother started living full-time in Arizona. She told me that the first time they went to Arizona – in 1986 – they bought a 36V, 1956 model electric golf cart. She didn’t disclose the price, and I forgot to ask what brand it is, but both Marketeer and Cushman had both just started producing electric golf carts only a few years before that. Now here’s where it gets good. In the conversation, she mentioned “It’s not like golf-carts are free to run. I finally just had to replace the batteries.” I asked how many times before she had done that. “Never, this is the first time I’ve done that since buying it.” That’s right. My grandmother bought a 30-year old golf cart, over 20 years ago, and has only replaced the batteries once…….at a cost of $300. They must have a senior discount down there. Last I checked, golf-cart batteries typically run over $100 each!!!! 82 years old – double hip and knee replacement – sharp as a tack – and still drives herself to the grocery store – in her 50 year old electric car. Hope I am doing as well in 50 years. -Ben