How To Convert A Car To Electric?
Topic: How To Convert A Car To Electric?
There have been many rumors in the automotive industry about electric cars. Green is the trend now. While the demand for electric vehicles is on the rise, the supply of new and used electric vehicles is limited. A popular option is to convert a car to an electric vehicle.
Many engineers and car enthusiasts have successfully converted a used gasoline car into an electric vehicle; you can be sure that many conversion kits and parts on the market are designed for many specific car models.
Learn the steps to converting a car to an electric vehicle with a list of the best-used car models for different needs.
Can you turn a car into an electric vehicle?
Whereas a gasoline or diesel car uses an internal combustion engine to generate power, an electric car draws its power from batteries. The rest of these cars’ components are the same, so, in general, any vehicle can be converted into electric cars.
However, some cars will make such a conversion more accessible and more optimal. What are the criteria that make a car a better conversion option?
Light
The lighter the vehicle, the less energy the battery uses to move it. A converted light car means superior fuel efficiency. This also allows the converted EV’s battery to have a longer ‘run time,’ which means the battery will need to be recharged less frequently, ensuring longer battery life.
Battery Space
The most significant component of an electric car is its battery bank, or therefore an ideal car for conversion must have a lot of space. Batteries must be well protected from heat, as heat adversely affects chemical reactions that occur within batteries.
Therefore, the batteries will generally be located inside the trunk or under the seats to keep them well covered.
A solid structure
Battery banks are bulky and also heavy. A converted electric car will weigh a few hundred pounds more than a gasoline engine, transmission, and a full tank of gasoline.
With this added weight, the car used for the conversion must have a strong frame and adequate spring capacity to support this load and withstand the vibrations and forces caused by the car’s movement.
A chassis is a frame or basic structure of a car. It can consist of just the frame or the wheels and drivetrain and sometimes even the car seats.
A car in good condition
When buying a used car, it’s best to have it inspected by a technician first. While you don’t have to worry about the engine, the used car used for the conversion should have the essential components in good condition, including the brakes, steering, and suspension.
Manual transmission
Manual transmission cars are often chosen for conversion because they allow you to keep the gears and shafts in place.
Unlike gasoline engines, an electric motor delivers 100% of its power instantly and continuously, so you won’t need the multiple gears of standard vehicles.
How much does it cost to convert a car into an electric vehicle?
According to auto experts, the cost of converting a car to an electric vehicle can range from $ 8,000 to $ 12,000, not including the cost of the “donor” car. An electric vehicle battery alone typically costs thousands of dollars.
In return for this initial cost, you can expect to save more money by driving an electric vehicle. Since an electric car has fewer moving parts than a gasoline vehicle, an electric vehicle is not subject to routine wear and tear. It does not need oil changes and replacements, regular seals, and much more frequent maintenance.
Top 10 Steps to Converting a car into an electric car.
- Once you’ve done all the research and determined which model to convert, the steps to convert a car to an electric car are pretty straightforward.
- Remove the components from the old internal combustion engine. These include many things like engine, fuel tank, muffler, exhaust, starter, and radiator.
- Prepare the electric motor mounts and replace the old motor with the motor. The size of the engine will depend on the space available in the car and your horsepower preferences.
- The electric motor runs on a battery.
- Prepare the battery holders and place the battery in the car. Lithium batteries are the best option. The number of batteries used also depends on the space available.
- Mount the power controller in the car. The power controller is necessary to regulate the flow of energy between the battery and the motor.
- Add other necessary hardware, including a charging system to charge the batteries and a host of other hardware to operate the car’s air conditioning, heating, and steering systems.
- Add wiring to connect everything.
- Charge the batteries to their fullest, and your converted electric car is ready.
- Before driving your new vehicle on the road, make sure you have it registered according to the laws of your state.
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