You kept the gas cost down by using it to charge batteries.  Most people don't buy batteries or have the knowledge to charge and use them.  They just run the generator and plug stuff in.  An inverter runs a few hundred.  Our pure sine wave 3000 watt model is $499.  You also need a battery charger which is only a hundred or so but don't forget all the cables and cords.  Total cost for the charger and cables will be over a hundred for sure.

To get a good setup you need to be a hobbyist or know one.  Double the generator cost to get a good setup.

If the average person were into the issue that deeply, we would not have the clusterfuck we have.

As generators were being sold out a couple came in for one.  The husband was being reasonable and looking at a model similar to what RE had.  The wife was vetoing his decision insisting on 'a big one'.  A model that can power a whole house.  The generators we sell are more appropriate to a construction site that supplies power to multiple people than to a home user.  But customers at our store are homeowners with money.  They can't imagine generators are built for specific markets.  I understand, I doubt I would be any different if I did not have the knowledge I have.