When we set out to learn how to make a electric car we weren’t sure how hard it would be. Today, after doing 3 complete conversions we are certain that anyone even the novice can build their own electric car.
What do you need to start?
??First you need a place to work- garage, shop or even your laneway
??Simple tools that every home workshop has in it- wrenches, cordless drill, some power tools etc.
??Detailed plans on how to make a electric car
We recommend that you start out by finding the right vehicle to convert into an electric car. Small cars and trucks are best. They are light and strong and small trucks have lots of room for battery placement.
Our personal favorite is older Toyota small pickups or Ford Rangers; both are good trucks with proven electric car conversion success.
You will next need deep cycle batteries (about 20) and a DC electric motor. We are thankful that the plans showed sources of free batteries and DC motors we could use for our electric car. That really helped keep the cost down of our conversion- a big part of the expense is in those two items.
You should be able to do your own conversion for only a few hundred dollars- about the cost of one major repair. But the benefits are long lasting. Electric motors require very little maintenance for one thing. They just don’t break down that often. And of course you won’t have to put gas in your car anymore- a major benefit.
Where do all those batteries go?
We like to build custom boxes and put the batteries in the frame of the vehicle, but ready made battery boxes are available too. You can locate some batteries up front since the DC motor and controller don’t take up much space. You can usually put 6 or more up there. With a truck you can locate the batteries in the box if you want to. This does cut down on carrying capacity though.
This is probably the biggest decision you will have to make- batteries vs. carrying capacity.
Learning how to make a electric car is really about learning some new skills and applying them to new technology. It really isn’t difficult though.
Your new electric car will be able to go 50 mph on the highway and have a range of up to 200 miles; and the acceleration…
We were amazed at the stoplight to stoplight speed. This is not a slow moving electric golf cart here; this is a very quick machine.
We just love driving by gas stations now. The first time you drive by a fill up station you will know why we are always smiling, you will be too. Did you know that gas prices are expected to rise to $7 per gallon by next year?
Isn’t it time you did your own conversion? Let’s get started.
