Most of the myths and misconceptions surrounding electric vehicle conversions center on concerns about: limited range, high cost, pollution created from producing the electricity to recharge batteries, expended batteries becoming a significant source of pollution, and slow highway speeds of the vehicles. As far as range, most Americans do not drive more than about 40 miles a day. Since an electric converted vehicle can easily exceed this range between charges, electric vehicles can be eminently practical and as a second vehicle, electric vehicles can be quite appropriate.
For those who desire to convert a gasoline powered car to an electric one, the right knowledge and skills are required. Many books and tutorials are available and it is worthwhile to seek some out. After gaining basic knowledge, the starting point is to choose an appropriate "donor" car and to decide if a conversion kit will be used. If using a conversion kit, it is advisable to use a custom kit if one is available for the model being converted. If not, a universal kit is recommended.
Just about any vehicle can be converted to electric power. However, the lighter and more aerodynamic the vehicle chosen, the greater the distance that can be traveled per battery charge. One of the key conversion considerations is whether to use DC or AC power and then to decide the voltage at which the system will run.
An electric car conversion is the modification of a conventional gas powered, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle to electric propulsion, creating an all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Rather than wait for vehicle manufacturers to produce electric vehicles, some people are taking the initiative to convert conventional gasoline powered cars to all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Totally electric vehicles, or EVs, run entirely on electricity, with no gasoline powered engines or generators. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs, run primarily on electricity but can switch to gasoline power, either with a gasoline powered engine or a generator that charges the battery while they drive. Drivers who are interested in doing more to help the environment can now turn to available electric and hybrid vehicles available today.
Most of the myths and misconceptions surrounding electric vehicle conversions center on concerns about: limited range, high cost, pollution created from producing the electricity to recharge batteries, expended batteries becoming a significant source of pollution, and slow highway speeds of the vehicles. As far as range, most Americans do not drive more than about 40 miles a day. Since an electric converted vehicle can easily exceed this range between charges, electric vehicles can be eminently practical and as a second vehicle, electric vehicles can be quite appropriate.
For those who desire to convert a gasoline powered car to an electric one, the right knowledge and skills are required. Many books and tutorials are available and it is worthwhile to seek some out. After gaining basic knowledge, the starting point is to choose an appropriate "donor" car and to decide if a conversion kit will be used. If using a conversion kit, it is advisable to use a custom kit if one is available for the model being converted. If not, a universal kit is recommended.
Just about any vehicle can be converted to electric power. However, the lighter and more aerodynamic the vehicle chosen, the greater the distance that can be traveled per battery charge. One of the key conversion considerations is whether to use DC or AC power and then to decide the voltage at which the system will run.
An electric car conversion is the modification of a conventional gas powered, internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle to electric propulsion, creating an all-electric or plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. Rather than wait for vehicle manufacturers to produce electric vehicles, some people are taking the initiative to convert conventional gasoline powered cars to all-electric or plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Totally electric vehicles, or EVs, run entirely on electricity, with no gasoline powered engines or generators. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, or PHEVs, run primarily on electricity but can switch to gasoline power, either with a gasoline powered engine or a generator that charges the battery while they drive. Drivers who are interested in doing more to help the environment can now turn to available electric and hybrid vehicles available today.
