subject: Electric Vehicle Kits: Build Your Own Electric Car [print this page] With increasing fuel prices, more and more people and are looking for alternatives. One such alternative that's gaining popularity, particularly using the do-it yourself kinds, are the electric vehicle kits. Anybody knowledgeable about automobiles can currently make use of these kits to convert traditional gas powered vehicles to one powered by electric current.
Nevertheless, converting a traditional Gas powered vehicle into an electric vehicle can be an extremely daunting task. Only those who are the very mechanically minded should try this. To convert the automobile will require extensive modifications to almost all-mechanical parts of the car.
Can any car be transformed into an electric vehicle?
Regrettably, the answer is no. Not all cars can be converted into an electric vehicle. However, and the most typical electric vehicle kit appears to be the Chevy S-10 pick up kit. For examples to observe, simply do a search online for Chevy S-10 pickup Electric conversions. Other cars that are good candidates for conversion are the Chevy Geo, particularly from 1989 to 1999.
Are there disadvantages to utilizing an electric vehicle kit?
Going back a couple of years, several people associated electric powered vehicles with slowness along with a lack of power. But as usual, on account of technology, substantial developments in the electric vehicle have changed all that. With these electric vehicle kits, some vehicles can reach top speeds of between 70 and 75 mph nonetheless, converting to electric power still has its drawbacks.
The greatest drawback it is needless to say the need for recharging the batteries. As an instance, 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. Nevertheless, for lengthy commutes on the highway, this wouldn't be ideal.
The Chevy S-10 with an electric vehicle kit installed will run a bit 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 and also the size and quality of batteries. Several S-10 models could be equipped with solar powered panels which would reduce the need for charging, at the very least when driving during daylight hours.
Changing automobiles with electric vehicle kits isn't a low cost affair. Many conversion kits seem to cost in between $8000 to $10,000. And this doesn't even comprise professional installation as well as the price of the batteries, not to mention, access to or the purchase of a charging station.
Truth be told, with the cost concerned of utilizing an electric vehicle kit, it most likely wouldn't be extremely practical for the typical consumer, particularly if they do a great deal of highway driving. Nevertheless, with that being said, it most likely would be perfect for a back yard mechanic who loves to tinker with vehicles and has a few bucks to throw around and desires to impress his beer-drinking buddies.
