To switch or not to switch to lithium-ion batteries? That is the question for golf car rental outlets these days.
After careful consideration, Dirk Weingartner and his business partner Lauren Sato answered it with a resounding “Yes.”
Weingartner and Sato own Beach Bums, a recreational equipment rental outlet and boutique gift shop on Anna Maria Island, near Sarasota, Florida. The shop rents a fleet of 65 golf and personal transportation vehicles (PTVs), most of which carry six to eight passengers, as well as kayaks, water boards, and bicycles. The fleet contains Club Car, Polaris, Gem Cars, and Moke vehicles, originally made by the British Motor Company for the British Army.
A local institution, Beach Bums sits on Pine Avenue, the island’s main drag, in an old Florida building frequently featured in magazine articles. A 1932 Woody Wagon proudly bears the shop’s logo and serves as a backdrop for photos.
Until 2021, the business relied largely on flooded lead-acid and AGM batteries for its fleet. “But we had some problems with range and charging errors. Renters did not always understand the eight-hour charge cycle and were sometimes stranded. We often appeased them with refunds or by switching out their vehicles. That meant keeping spare cars on standby,” Weingartner says.
Another issue had to do with maintenance. Visitors generally check in and out on Saturdays, so the crew had to water, clean, and charge all 65 cars every Saturday.
These issues and the fact that Beach Bums wanted to give their customers the best possible experience made Weingartner consider lithium-ion batteries. As a former mechanic and auto repair shop owner, he knew that rental vehicles are driven hard and require top-quality batteries.
After trying several batteries, he realized that all lithium-ion batteries are not created equally. “One battery lasted only 18 months, and we experienced all kinds of supply-chain problems with others. I quickly learned the importance of selecting a U.S.-based supplier that completely stands behind its products,” Weingartner says. “And we needed a battery that delivered a really good range.”
In 2021, Weingartner upgraded his fleet to lithium-ion batteries made by Trojan Battery Company. The batteries were a big investment as Beach Bums installed six batteries in each vehicle. “The multi-passenger cars carry a lot of weight and visitors want the longest possible range,” he says.
Even with that large initial cost, Weingartner is pleased with the return on his investment. Several factors contribute to that.
First, Beach Bums felt justified to raise their prices a bit after investing in lithium. “And we’ve had no problems with that,” Weingartner says.
The new batteries also reduced replacement costs. “We were replacing our flooded lead-acid batteries every year or two because the heavy usage ate through charge cycles,” he says. “The lithium-ion batteries last up to 10 years with no maintenance or replacement, so we are expecting the total cost of ownership of lithium to be far less than that of flooded lead-acid or AGM over that period.”
Since Beach Bums switched to lithium, the complaints have virtually stopped. “We don’t have to face disgruntled or stranded customers, make refunds, or keep replacement cars in reserve any longer,” Weingartner says. “Now we get nothing but compliments about how quickly the cars charge, the range, and the consistent power.”
The new batteries also cut maintenance time and costs. The crew no longer spends every Saturday watering and maintaining batteries. “That lets us attend to business, detail cars, and build relationships with customers,” he says.
And the batteries have allowed Beach Bums to create a new revenue stream: serving day renters during the off-season. Unlike weekly renters, who use their vehicles for transportation, day renters drive all day.
“Lead-acid batteries don’t have the range for that, so we were unable to rent daily. But the new lithium-ion batteries let us tap into that market during the off-season when weekly renters are scarce,” Weingartner says.
The bottom line? Weingartner is very pleased with his decision. But he advises rental outlets to do their due diligence before switching to lithium-ion batteries. “Look for a partner that offers a premium product and has your best interest in mind,” he says.
