The Basics Of How To Build Your Own Electric Vehicle
As gas prices continue to rise, many consumers are making the decision to operate an electric vehicle because it is less expensive and more efficient. For those of you thinking of taking the time to build your own electric vehicle, there are some wonderful resources available to help you work through the process of converting a gas vehicle into one that runs on electricity.
An electric vehicle isn’t a wise choice if you have a lengthy commute daily. Most electric vehicles can run 30 to 70 miles per day depending on the driving conditions, how heavy the vehicle is, and the quality of the battery. It is important to have a realistic plan for recharging the batteries. It can be difficult if you live in an apartment complex with no garage.
Important Considerations
There are several important factors to consider. Decide what type of vehicle you are going to use to build your own electric vehicle. Smaller cars work best, but you can also use a larger vehicle. It is best to use a vehicle with a four or five speed transmission since they are more efficient than automatics. The efficiency of the electric motor will cut down on the amount of shifting you will need to do.
Keep in mind when you build your own electric vehicle that the additional equipment will add from 200 to 500 pounds to the overall weight of the car. You will need to make sure the vehicle you consider using wonít be too heavy after all the modifications have been done. Power steering and air conditioning are options to consider when you build your own electric vehicle. Adding power steering will require another motor added to the vehicle. Air conditioning makes the power drain from the batteries very quickly. However, you can use a magnetic system to run a compressor for it.
To build your own electric vehicle, consult the many resources available to help you complete the project properly. In time, electric vehicles and hybrids will become more popular, especially if the cost of gas continues to increase. After reading the materials you will find the quest to build your own electric vehicle is fairly easy. The idea of converting your gas guzzler into an electric vehicle just may be in your future.
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December 7, 2008
Dreams Coming True! » Tonz To Do List/2008/12/8 (Pingback)
[…] 1.以build your own electric car 为关键词写一篇文章。原创 (思路:原理简介,知识准备,工作准备,购买好的改装手册)参考:http://www.hybridcarsinfoblog.com/build-your-own-electric-vehicle […]
December 19, 2008
Electric Vehicle Kits: Build Your Own Electric Car « Elbilen.dk (Pingback)
[…] Electric Vehicle Kits: Build Your Own Electric Car With rising fuel costs, more and more people and are looking for alternatives. One such alternative that is gaining popularity, especially with the do-it yourself types, are the electric vehicle kits. Anyone familiar with automobiles can now use these kits to convert traditional gas powered vehicles to one powered by electric current.However, converting a traditional Gas powered vehicle into an electric vehicle can be a very daunting task. Only those who are the very mechanically minded should try this. To convert the vehicle will require extensive modifications to nearly all-mechanical parts of the car. Everything from the engine to the radiator, heater and air-conditioning, to the gauges on the panel. On top of that, the electric cars have to be recharged on a regular basis, which means having to purchase or use the services of recharging station. Solar power could be another potential source of power for the electric vehicle.Can any car be converted into an electric vehicle?Unfortunately, the answer is no. Not all cars can be converted into an electric vehicle. However, and the most common electric vehicle kit seems to be the Chevy S-10 pick up kit. For examples to follow just do a search online for Chevy S-10 pickup Electric conversions. Other cars that are good candidates for conversion are the Chevy Geo, especially from 1989 to 1999. These cars are good potential candidates for an electric vehicle kit conversion. Cars similar to the Chevy Geo Metro, such as the Chevy Sprint, Pontiac Firefly and the Suzuki Swift are also ideal for conversions too.Are there downsides to using an electric vehicle kit?Going back a few years, many people associated electric powered vehicles with slowness and a lack of power. But as usual, thanks to technology, significant advances in the electric vehicle have changed all that. With these electric vehicle kits some cars can reach top speeds of between 70 and 75 mph. nonetheless, converting to electric power still has its drawbacks.The biggest drawback it is of course the need for recharging the batteries. As an example, the Chevy Geo Metro kit must be recharged every 20 to 40 miles, depending on driving habits and battery quality. For city driving, this would be ideal. However, for lengthy commutes on the highway, this would not be ideal.The Chevy S-10 with an electric vehicle kit installed will run a little longer on a single charge. On a single charge, the S-10 should last between 40 and 60 miles. Again this depends upon the driving habits as well as the size and quality of batteries. Some S-10 models can be equipped with solar powered panels which would in reduced in the need for charging, at least when driving during daylight hours.Converting vehicles with electric vehicle kits is not a cheap affair. Most conversion kits seem to cost between $8000 to $10,000. And this does not even include professional installation as well as the cost of the batteries, not to mention access to or the purchase of a charging station.Quite frankly, with the cost involved of using an electric vehicle kit, it probably wouldn’t be very practical for the average consumer, especially if they do a lot of highway driving. However, that being said, it probably would be ideal for a back yard mechanic who loves to tinker with cars and has a few bucks to throw around and wants to impress his beer-drinking buddies.By: Kerry NgAbout the Author: Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Hybrid Cars Blog. For more great helpful information about the Hybrid Cars visit The Hybrid Cars Blog […]
February 26, 2009
Electric Vehicle Kits: Build Your Own Electric Car | Electric Cars (Pingback)
[…] Electric Vehicle Kits: Build Your Own Electric Car With rising fuel costs, more and more people and are looking for alternatives. One such alternative that is gaining popularity, especially with the do-it yourself types, are the electric vehicle kits. Anyone familiar with automobiles can now use these kits to convert traditional gas powered vehicles to one powered by electric current.However, converting a traditional Gas powered vehicle into an electric vehicle can be a very daunting task. Only those who are the very mechanically minded should try this. To convert the vehicle will require extensive modifications to nearly all-mechanical parts of the car. Everything from the engine to the radiator, heater and air-conditioning, to the gauges on the panel. On top of that, the electric cars have to be recharged on a regular basis, which means having to purchase or use the services of recharging station. Solar power could be another potential source of power for the electric vehicle.Can any car be converted into an electric vehicle?Unfortunately, the answer is no. Not all cars can be converted into an electric vehicle. However, and the most common electric vehicle kit seems to be the Chevy S-10 pick up kit. For examples to follow just do a search online for Chevy S-10 pickup Electric conversions. Other cars that are good candidates for conversion are the Chevy Geo, especially from 1989 to 1999. These cars are good potential candidates for an electric vehicle kit conversion. Cars similar to the Chevy Geo Metro, such as the Chevy Sprint, Pontiac Firefly and the Suzuki Swift are also ideal for conversions too.Are there downsides to using an electric vehicle kit?Going back a few years, many people associated electric powered vehicles with slowness and a lack of power. But as usual, thanks to technology, significant advances in the electric vehicle have changed all that. With these electric vehicle kits some cars can reach top speeds of between 70 and 75 mph. nonetheless, converting to electric power still has its drawbacks.The biggest drawback it is of course the need for recharging the batteries. As an example, the Chevy Geo Metro kit must be recharged every 20 to 40 miles, depending on driving habits and battery quality. For city driving, this would be ideal. However, for lengthy commutes on the highway, this would not be ideal.The Chevy S-10 with an electric vehicle kit installed will run a little longer on a single charge. On a single charge, the S-10 should last between 40 and 60 miles. Again this depends upon the driving habits as well as the size and quality of batteries. Some S-10 models can be equipped with solar powered panels which would in reduced in the need for charging, at least when driving during daylight hours.Converting vehicles with electric vehicle kits is not a cheap affair. Most conversion kits seem to cost between $8000 to $10,000. And this does not even include professional installation as well as the cost of the batteries, not to mention access to or the purchase of a charging station.Quite frankly, with the cost involved of using an electric vehicle kit, it probably wouldn’t be very practical for the average consumer, especially if they do a lot of highway driving. However, that being said, it probably would be ideal for a back yard mechanic who loves to tinker with cars and has a few bucks to throw around and wants to impress his beer-drinking buddies.By: Kerry NgAbout the Author: Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Hybrid Cars Blog. For more great helpful information about the Hybrid Cars visit The Hybrid Cars Blog Share and Enjoy: […]
October 25, 2009
Electric Vehicle Kits: Build Your Own Electric Car | Creacions Cool Car Creations (Pingback)
[…] Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Hybrid Cars Blog. For more great helpful information about the Hybrid Cars visit The Hybrid Cars Blog […]
November 16, 2009
Electric Vehicle Kits: Build Your Own Electric Car | Electric Cars Directory (Pingback)
[…] Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Hybrid Cars Blog. For more great helpful information about the Hybrid Cars visit The Hybrid Cars Blog […]
December 31, 2009
Electric Vehicle Kits: Build Your Own Electric Car (Pingback)
[…] 
Quite-frankly,-with-the-cost-involved-of-using-an-electric-vehicle-kit,-it-probably-wouldn’t-be-very-practical-for-the-average-consumer,-especially-if-they-do-a-lot-of-highway-driving.-However,-that-being-said,-it-probably-would-be-ideal-for-a-back-yard-mechanic-who-loves-to-tinker-with-cars-and-has-a-few-bucks-to-throw-around-and-wants-to-impress-his-beer-drinking-buddies. Kerry-Ng-is-a-successful-Webmaster-and-publisher-of-The-Hybrid-Cars-Blog.-For-more-great-helpful-information-about-the-Hybrid-Cars-visit-The-Hybrid-Cars-Blog AKPC_IDS-+=-”24163,”;Popularity:-unranked-[?] […]
March 7, 2010
Electric Vehicle Kits: Build Your Own Electric Car | Electric Car DIY (Pingback)
[…] Kerry Ng is a successful Webmaster and publisher of The Hybrid Cars Blog. For more great helpful information about the Hybrid Cars visit The Hybrid Cars Blog […]