Considering an EV conversion Options

[mneal2_92788]

So I have been thinking... I have a car that works but one day I know it will not. And I think I’m going to start saving up for a full electric conversion. The car is right in range for weight, and by time I make the battery purchases the technology and affordability will be there. I have the shell and that’s a huge battle. I found a company that attaches the motor to the stock tranny, and you get everything you need. The have a kit for an mr2. It’s ambitious but I think it’s going to be a huge and fun project. And it will give me the power I think this car deserves. I’ll follow up after some further thought and research.

[slavie]

The biggest obstacle to an EV conversion are the batteries. They just don't have the capacity. How does Tesla have 200 or 300 mile range? It carries 800 or 1000 lbs worth of batteries on board. If you'll be fine with 40 or 50 miles of range, I'd say it's doable given current technologies available to an average Joe. If you want decent range, you'll need batteries stashed in every corner. And then, what are you going to do about heating and cooling those batteries so that they work in the winter and don't overheat from 2 minutes of spirited driving? That's a big problem for Tesla and other EV manufacturers.

Until better battery tech comes around, it's hardly worth the effort you need to put into an EV conversion. Some still do it for the fun of it, and it's totally cool if that's what you want to do, just have a clear understanding that the product you'll get in the end is not going to be that great. You will get the "wow" factor though, and maybe a quarter mile pass or two.

This post has been edited by slavie: Oct 20, 2020 - 8:27 PM