Electric may prove to be less expensive in the long haul depending on battery life. I read one review that said this:
- Less expensive to operate. My 42 inch, 24 HP Zero-turn uses about 2 gallons of fuel or $5.50 to mow my lawn. An electric riding mower will use about 75 cents in electricity. (My local fuel prices and electric rates) Plus, I don’t have to buy a gas can, go to the gas station in my vehicle, and have gas sitting around my garage.
Yeah, my John Deere used probably 3.5 gallons to mow my 1.1 acres. I tried to mow twice on a 5 gallon gas can and couldn't, so it was at least 3 gallons per week. 20 weeks worth equals 60 gallons minimum, so that's about $160 in fuel, which will go up, plus an oil change kit at $35, while not needed every year, I would change. Then there is belts that I didn't factor in, spark plugs etc.
4 batteries for the Ryobi cost around $600 now, but I'll spread that out over 3 years conservatively, so I'm looking at $200 a year all in no other maintenance that I can think of, so it's a wash if the batteries only last 3 years.
The only concern battery wise is they are Lead Acid, while the Cub Cadet is Lithium Ion. I'm leaning towards the Cub just because of that, but need to figure out that exact specification. I swear I saw a 10 year life for those, which would be an instant decision maker.
The bagging system is included in the price for the Ryobi right now, and it's $350 for the Cub Cadet. I'm not even sweating that though, because the bagger for the John Deere was almost $900, and was an absolute must if I had kept it based on not using a bagger last year. 100% absolute must.
Now, the fun part of "Do I really want to spend $$$$$$$$$ on a mower" is that it would cost $75 a week to have someone show up and do it, so that's $1500 a year, AKA, either mower will pay for itself in 3 years.
I hope.
Not included in my scenario is the E-Go, which is an appropriate name because with my limited research, they sure do love themselves. I won't research more because I can't buy one anywhere right now.