Electric Car Conversion: How to Do it and is it Something You Can Do

Although there are kits available that can make the conversion process that much easier on you, especially if you're not an actual mechanic.

Remember one thing, whether you're converting your current car to electric or you plan on buying an inexpensive used car to convert to electric, you are converting one type of machine into a whole new type of machine.

Whenever you're changing the purpose of any mechanical device into a different type of device you're going to run into problems. Ask any mechanic and they will tell you that every car is different and often they have enough trouble just replacing parts on a standard engine.

Converting a gasoline, internal combustion engine, powered car to an electric green machine you're going to have to be good at improvising as your project will throw you curve balls all the time.

I'm assuming that you're going to convert an inexpensive used car into and electric car. You're going to need to follow some basics if you want to lower your workload and have your final product actually be an electric car. You certainly don't want this project to turn into a large blue tarp heap, sitting in your back yard and rusting.

Buy a small, light car.

You will need a lightweight car as most electric cars that have been converted from combustion engines have a top speed or around 60 to 70 miles per hour.

You want to maximize your power to weight ratio. The lighter the car you choose to convert into an electric car, the quicker it will be and will maximize efficiency.

Yes, I could convert a 1976, two and a half ton, Cadillac Coupe DeVille into an electric car. Though, the top speed will likely top out at 35mph and drive-ability will drop to and hour or less.

No "rust buckets" allowed.

I don't think this even needs explaining really. If you buy a rust bucket then it might not even survive the process of conversion to electric. Don't waste your money or rusted cars for this. You're not going to save any money in the long run. You need a car with healthy metal through and through.

Electric cars need battery storage.

You need to get a car that has a trunk or a cab, if it's a small pickup truck. The reason is that you need to have a place to store all the batteries that will power your, soon to be, electric car. You shouldn't ever have the batteries share the cabin with you. Be it a bump in the road or an accident, you could end up being covered in battery acid so keep them out of the cabin area.

Also, some batteries can release gasses that you certainly don't want to be breathing in. In all actuality, it's the batteries that have kept the electric car from going mainstream. They are heavy, they take up a lot of space and there is the potential for bodily harm with them.

KISS! "Keep it simple stupid".

The car you choose to buy for conversion to electric should be one that is popular and plentiful because you're still going to have to maintain your electric cars non electric needs.

Brakes are a great example as they are something that routinely need replacing. Brake calipers go bad too and so do many other parts. Having easy access to replacement parts for your electric car is a must.

Ready to start the electric car conversion.

Personally I would go with one of the conversion kits that are available today. Simply put, it's much easier and generally cheaper, in the long run, to have at least most of the parts you need all at once.

Even if you think an electric car conversion kit is too expensive I still recommend one. You want to meet your goal of creating an electric car and not spending weeks or months seeking out individual parts from Internet sites, local stores and junk yards.

Another few reasons why an electric car conversion kit is the way to go is because all the parts in the kit have been road tested. The parts are matched to fit one another for easier assembly. The main reason for using a kit is that you can buy one that is designed for the make and model of car you're converting.

Outsource some of the work.

Yes, this is your gas to electric conversion process but you're going to need to do things like remove the existing engine. Unless you have an engine hoist the removal of an engine is no small task.

You will also need someone who can do metal work and modification and I mean precise metal work. For example, the transmission adapter plate and the assembly connects the motor to the transmission all require precise machining. If these things aren't done correctly, you're going to be very unhappy with your electric car.

Electric car conversion work area.

You absolutely need a place that is clean and dry to do this project. You may have heard the term, "shade tree mechanic" but this will not work in this instance. Backyard mechanics are fixing their cars which will not be harmed by bad weather.

On the other hand, you are creating an electric car and you may well know that electricity and water do not mix. Neither do electric components mix with mud or dirt.

Converting an internal combustion car into and electric car is a big project but if you plan things out, learn as much as you can online and have mechanical aptitude then you're likely to be just fine.

Now, get out there and enjoy that electric car that I know you've already built.