An electric car conversion technology is relatively easy. An electric motor run by power stored in the battery bank propels the electric vehicle (EV) forward. The addition of gears will enhance the efficiency of the motor.

The battery needs recharging from time to time by including a solar power panel though it takes a lot of time to completely charge the battery. To start with, it is advisable to construct an EV based on a simple design. The final shape would be something like a ‘go-cart’ instead of a normal automobile.

Nevertheless, the experience gained by building a simple model will boost your confidence in building a superior electric car with advanced features in the future. The process of building the simplest type of electric car begins with wooden or steel frame and wheels. It also requires an electric motor, battery and a switch for tuning on and off of the motor.

The switch will act as an accelerator in the same way as in a gasoline powered car. The capacity of the motor must be adequate to withstand the load of heavy components, frame and at least a driver of the car. The seller of motors will be able to guide regarding the capacity of the motor required for the car. The easiest method of transmission of power from the motor to the wheels is through a belt and pulley system.

All the parts need to be properly connected by means of wiring. After all the parts including the electric motor with the battery are fitted in the car; the construction of the car can be completed by fixing a steering mechanism. It is absolutely essential to protect the eyes and the ears when building an EV.

You should wear protective clothing and an open space with sufficient lighting and ventilation should be chosen for building the electric car. The size of the wooden or door frame should be carefully chosen and wherever required it should be cut to proper size so that it can easily be pass through a doorway or arch.

The battery, motor, seats, ‘drive train’, steering mechanism should be assembled on the frame and the switch connected to the battery. The battery should then be connected to the motor. The wheels should be attached to the frame, body and windshield.

After completion of all connections, it should be carefully checked whether all parts have been fitted and properly connected before the car is ready for a test drive. There are local laws regulating the use of electric cars on roads and public places. They also require registration. It is important to read these regulations before driving out of home or business property.

It is also essential to keep in mind the limited battery capacity and the distances and routes should be carefully planned so that the battery can be recharged at the right time during the trips. In view of several shortcomings, the electric cars cannot as yet replace traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.

These limitations include limited battery capacity, frequent recharging between trips and the time consuming process of recharging. A hybrid car has more advantages than the normal electric car and therefore, is extensively used. Hybrid cars use both gasoline and electric current to power the car. Such hybrid varieties are already in use in railroads and military tanks.

Rust usually begins through the chips and cracks you receive from the pebbles and stones that hit your car through daily driving. With a small nick exposing bare metal in an unnoticeable location, rust will begin to form.

Once rust begins to happen, it cannot be stopped, only repaired. Whether you spend many of thousands of dollars on your homemade electric car or a couple of hundreds of dollars, you want to keep it looking nice.

While after spending so much money on your EV, you may not be left with a lot of money to repair damages such as rust. Below is a guide to repairing the rust without emptying your pockets.

A few things you will need include a good amount of elbow grease, a fibreglass cloth kit, electric grinder and cordless drill, spreader, sandpaper and sanding discs. Here are 10 easy steps to fixing the rust on your car:

Step 1 – Access where the rust is located.

Once finding the rusted spots, remove all excess trim and loose debris from the corroded part of the vehicle. Next, remove the rusted metal but leave enough to keep the shape of the electric car.

Step 2 – Prepare the electric grinder with 24-grit disc.

Just about 4 inches from the edge of the rust hole, grind all traces of the rust including the primer and paint.

Step 3 – Sanding.

Using a 100-grit sanding block, sand the corroded surface until it is clear and shiny. Using a ball-peen hammer, tap around the edges of the rust hole, slightly turning it inwards.

Step 4 – Filming rust hole.

Cut the release film from the fiberglass cloth kit about three inches larger than the sanded area. Using this piece of film, place it over the rust hole. Use a pencil to mark this area but do not wrinkle the film.

Step 5 – Covering.

To cover the rust hole, cut two pieces of Fibreglass matte. Cut one piece of this matte about one inch smaller than the size of the first matte.

Step 6 – Using repair jelly.

Spread the cut release film over it a layer of auto body repair jelly. The film needs to be facing outward. Next, take the smaller fiberglass matte and place it over the release film with the jelly.

Spread more repair jelly to the smaller fiberglass matte and place the larger cloth on it.

Step 7 – Filling.

After step 6 is completed, place the entire repair material over the rust hole. Again, the film must be facing outward.

Going in an outward motion, use a spreader to smooth it out over the rust hole. Remove all bubbles and follow the shape of the car.

Step 8 – Let the repair set overnight.

Following the next day, remove the release film. Check if the material is completely set. Using an electric drill and sanding disc, sand the repaired area. Finish the repair and sanding using a block sander.

Step 9 – Fill in the low spots with the filler material.

After the filler dries, use an 80-grit sandpaper to file and smooth it out.

Step 10 – Smoothing.

To complete the repair, apply the topcoat and hardener to create a smooth finish. Use a 200-grit smooth the topcoat, then use the 400-grit sanding block to finalize the repaired rust hole.

Many people would like to know if electric cars are truly more inexpensive to run than standard gas powered cars. At a quick glance, the obviously glaring answer would be a huge YES!

The ability to drive much further on a dollar’s worth of electricity versus a dollar’s worth of gas is what we are looking at when we consider having greater efficiency.

Of course, there can always be exceptions to this standard rule; however, it is common that a homemade electric car has about thirty percent more efficiency than a standard gasoline powered vehicle.

Still, there are things to think about when computing the differences between the option of gasoline powered and electric powered forms of transportation. DIY electric cars use deep cycle lead-acid batteries, which can typically require replacement with a brand new battery pack approximately every three or so years, under normal operating conditions. The cost of doing so is approximately around $2500, give and take depending on the model of battery you use.

A cost as great as this, is certainly something which must be taken into consideration when making a decision. Dependent upon on the exact type of lead-acid battery you have, you may also need to purchase one or two gallons of distilled water every three or so months, in order to top up your batteries. Although it’s not a huge expense, consider you could possibly distill it yourself if absolutely necessary.

Taking that into consideration, let’s now look at the operating expenditures of an electric car: The first task is to work out how much it is going to cost in electricity charges each year to drive your car a distance of 10,000 miles. It is typical by conversion that you might expect to drive four miles per unit, referred to as a kilowatt hour, of electricity.

The cost of a unit of electricity may be around fifteen cents (US), which would make the electric car really cost around 3.75 cents per mile to drive. At a rate of 10,000 miles per year, that would work out to about $375 worth of electricity per year.

The possible generation of electricity is a whole other story, to be left for another conversation, but should be kept it in mind as an alternative to eliminate this cost.

Next, we will add to the cost, the calculation of a new replacement pack of batteries. Remember, this is a cost of approximately $2500 every three years or roughly $833 per each year.

Don’t forget that there are other fees too, such as insurance, road tax (as applicable), new tires and standard wear and tear. Add all that together and you could be looking somewhere around $1700 in expenses. (In this calculation, I have not accounted for devaluation of the vehicle since electric cars hold their value extremely well).

The United States Department of Labor has stated that by comparison, the average gasoline powered car costs approximately $2,227 per year, just in gasoline and motor oil expenses. Gasoline powered cars cost an additional $2,355 in other common vehicle-related costs, such as fluid replacements, exhaust repairs, and the like. That is a total sum of $4582 US to drive a standard gasoline powered vehicle.

Do note that these prices are based on gas being at a cost of or below $2.20 US per gallon. Even in the case of excluding tax breaks and the refunds available to many electric car drivers, and perks such as carpool lane access, free parking and free public charging, the average the electric car is a great deal cheaper to own and drive than the gasoline powered option.

Remember, the more the price of fuel and oil rises (which is very likely by the way), the less expensive when compared will be the cost of a pure electric car.

DIY Electric Car Conversion Guide

Are you planning to convert a conventional automobile into a homemade electric vehicle? If you are, it is best you read up on the science of electric car conversion.

Before you begin your electric vehicle conversion project, check out the Convert2EV ebook by Les and Jane Oke. The Okes live a green lifestyle in Canada and one way of keeping their carbon footprint small is by using pure electric car. The Convert2EV manual was written based on their experience of retrofitting old gas guzzler into electric vehicle.

==> Click here to visit Convert2EV now!

How much would a Do It Yourself (DIY) electric car conversion cost? If you are planning to start your own electric vehicle (EV) conversion project, most probably you will be asking this question.

In actual fact, there is no fixed figure for a homemade electric car. Your conversion cost can be as low as $1000 and as high as $20,000! Your EV conversion cost will depend on what you want from your electric car.

If you want a super fast EV, you may want to install a high torque electric motor with the latest light weight lithium ion batteries. These types of components will cost a lot of money.

If you are on a shoestring budget, you have to be very creative to come out with cheap solution for your EV. You may have to use old or refurbished components on your electric car. One good example is sourcing old deep cycle batteries and reconditioning them back to life.

Another way to save cost is to look for good bargains on donor car for your EV project. Source around various newspapers and internet classified sites in your area for used car. Here’s a tip, there are a lot of cheap cars from repossessed vehicle auction sites.

If you are looking for a cheap electric motor, why not consider using the electric motor from a forklift. I’ve actually written an article on using forklift electric motor, check it out.

If you are planning to recondition used batteries, make sure you get it done properly. Do not cut corners on this part, or it will come back to haunt you later.

The battery bank is basically is only power source for your DIY electric car. Any malfunction in the battery system will leave you stranded on the middle of the road. If you are not sure how battery reconditioning process is done, get a professional to do it for you. The investment will be money well spent.

Homemade Electric Car Guide

Are you keen to find out what’s involved in a DIY electric car conversion project? If you are, check out Les Oke’s Convert2EV e-book.

Les and his family live a green lifestyle in Canada. He has been converting and using pure plug-in electric cars for many years. The Convert2EV manual was written for complete beginners teaching them the science behind a homemade electric car. Click on the link below for more information.

==> Click here to visit Convert2EV now!

Here’s a cheaper solution for you. It is the Quixx paint scratch remover kit. The Quixx paint repair system removes scratches, scraps and scuff marks quickly and reliably for all car paint finishes including your homemade electric vehicle (EV).

How do you normally get scratches on your car paint job?

Usually, we get scratches from automatic car washers, bushes, nasty finger nails and metal keys around the door handles.

Sometimes we also get scratches when we drive our car too close to objects such as posts, flower pots, trash cans etc. If you park your car too close to another vehicle, scratches can also be caused when the driver of the other car opens the door and it slams into your car. This often results in unwanted paint marks on your car finish. Bummer!

Save some money by using the Quixx paint scratch remover. The paint repair system has been certified by the German TUV industry test report showing outstanding performance.

The Quixx system is also very easy to use. To fix a scratch on your car, begin by applying the Quixx polish number 1 to the scratched area and polish it for about 1 to 2 minutes with a clean cotton cloth. Next, remove all the residues with a damp cloth or sponge.

Maintaining the paint job on your DIY electric car can be that easy. You don’t have to spend a ton of money again to fix those annoying scratches. All you’ll need now is the Quixx paint scratch remover.Now, the scratches have vanished and all it remains is a dull surface. The following step is to polish the dull surface with the Quixx finish number 2 for about 1 – 2 minutes to get the gloss back. Finally, remove any residue with a cloth.

The Quixx paint scratch remover system, is available from Amazon.com for only $14.95, to get yours today, click here!

Convert Your Own Electric Car

Want to know how to convert a conventional automobile into a plug in electric car? If you do, download the 20 DIY Electric Car Conversion Videos e-book.

The e-book will show you videos of homemade electric cars and the different components needed for the conversion project. Click on the link below to download the free e-book now!

==> Click here to download free e-book!

One clear difference between a conventional car using an internal combustion engine versus a pure electric car is the range. A normal automobile can run indefinitely as long as there are gas stations for it to fuel up.

A pure electric car has a shorter range due to its limited charge in the battery bank. As of today, there are not a lot of facilities built to cater for the charging needs of pure electric vehicles.

If you own an electric car, here are 7 tips you can use to extend its mileage on the road:

1) Install a belly pan.

A belly pan beneath the car will allow air to rush straight past instead of getting caught around the gear box, electric motor, brake lines or any other pockets below the car which will create drag. Alternatively, a piece of thick plastic can also be used to cover the entire bottom carriage of the EV.

2) Streamline the front fender.

Make the front fender of your electric car streamline or as smooth as possible. Since the EV has no radiator, it does not need air holes at the front of the car for cooling. Use fiberglass or expanding foams to fill up any unnecessary holes.

3) Cover back wheel arches.

The rear wheel arches have a tendency to create drag on the EV. It is best to cover it with a removable piece of fiberglass that fits flush to the body of the car. The challenge is to make it look sleek and yet functional.

4) Install air guides for the tires.

By installing air guides or diffusers, it will assist in pushing the air around the tire thus reducing air drag. Air guides are small fiberglass triangular block shaped aerodynamically to sit in front of the tire on the body of the car.

5) Lowering your car.

By lowering the suspension of the car, it is capable of reducing air resistance as much as 3%. However, due to the extra weight of the deep cycle battery, you can’t lower your car too much or it will affect the safety of the EV. Lowering of the car will also cause a bumpier ride. Weigh the pros and cons before your do this.

6) Install wheel covers.

Get a wheel cover that is flat of slightly convex disc with no holes to cover the entire wheel of the electric car. It is best to get covers which match the color of the body. The monolithic color will give a “space age” look to your EV.

7) Use low rolling resistance tires.

Low rolling resistance tires have a harder rubber compound. The harder rubber has lower tire rolling resistance therefore increasing the driving mileage. As a cheap alternative, you can always slightly over inflate the tires to achieve the same result.

DIY Electric Car Conversion Guide

Looking for a good guide to convert your conventional car to EV? If you are, check out Gavin Shoebridge’s Electric Conversion Made Electric e-book. The guide comes with step by step instruction with High Definition (HD) videos. Click on the link below for more information.

==> Click here to visit Electric Conversion Made Easy now!

When you are doing an electric car conversion project, there is one thing that you have to keep an eye on. It is the cost!

If you are not careful, you can blow your EV conversion budget very easily. The following are 3 factors that will affect your overall DIY electric car conversion cost.

1) Range.

When most EV owners talk about range, what they meant is the distance from a full charge to absolutely flat battery or Depth of Discharge (DOD).

Using an EV to 100% DOD is not a good idea. It will shorten the lifespan of the battery.

A typical homemade electric car has a driving range of approximately 40 miles. The actual driving miles will depend on a few factors such as the condition of the batteries, the gross weight of the car, the car aerodynamic and also your driving style.

If you want to have a long driving range on your EV, you would have to use more batteries therefore increasing your budget. The best option is to figure out your driving needs on a daily basis and then design a battery system just to fulfill that need.

2) Speed.

How fast do you want to go?

Unlike a conventional car, a high top speed for an EV can be achieved quite easily. All you need is to have enough power in the batteries and controller that will allow large amount of current to the electric motor.

However, speed does come with a cost. Higher speed equals to higher cost.

3) Labor and shipping charges.

Most of the components needed for your EV conversion would have to be shipped or delivered to your home or garage.

The components such as the electric motor, adapter plate and batteries can be quite heavy hence cost more to be delivered.

If you are staying outside of the United States, some of the parts may have to be shipped oversea to you. You have to take into account international shipping charges and import taxes.

Another cost factor is on labor. If you are planning to outsource some of the work such as electric motor support frame welding and crimping of the main power cable, be prepared to spend some money to get the work done.

EV Conversion Budget

Before you start your electric car retrofitting, it is a good idea to draw out a budget. List down all the parts, labor, transport charges and miscellaneous costing of the project.

Project budgeting is a pain, but trust me, it is more painful when you’ve over spent money that you don’t have.

Convert Your Own Electric Car

Want to know how to convert a conventional automobile into a plug in electric car? If you do, download the 20 DIY Electric Car Conversion Videos e-book.

The e-book will show you videos of homemade electric cars and the different components needed for the conversion project. Click on the link below to download the free e-book now!

==> Click here to download free e-book!

Related web pages:

1) Electric Car Conversion Plans – 5 Tips To Find Good EV Manual

2) The Best Book To Design Electric Cars

An average sedan electric car will have 10 to 15 units of deep cycle battery. To extend the EV drive mileage, all you have to do is add in more battery.

Batteries can be dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. We are dealing with electricity and chemical hence you should practice some safety precautions. To help you to be safe, the following are 8 easy battery safety tips you can use when working on your electric car.

1) Build a battery box – The batteries on an electric car should be kept in a custom made battery box. There should be a fan to keep the batteries well ventilated in the box. The batteries will produce dangerous and flammable gases when charging. Any accumulation of the battery gas will be hazardous to you and your EV.

2) Wear protective goggles and clothing when handling batteries – One of the main cause of eye injury is chemical in a workshop particularly battery acid. If possible, always wear protective clothes and gear when working on the batteries of your electric car.

3) Always assume the worst – This might be a negative thought but it is a good idea to always assume there are explosive mixtures of hydrogen and oxygen gases present near the battery at all times. This will keep you on your toes. If you are a smoker, this will keep you from lighting up when working near the batteries.

4) Do not remove the caps when charging a battery – Please restraint from removing the caps when charging the battery. This will cause more hazardous gases to be released. Leave the batteries in the battery box. The ventilation fan will vent any accumulated gases.

5) Cover the vent cap area of the battery with a wet cloth – This is a good practice when working on the batteries. By using a damp cloth, it prevents any sparks from igniting the escaping gases. It may seem like an insignificant step, but it will keep you safe around your EV.

6) Make sure the charger is turned off before connecting to battery terminals – Again, this is to prevent the chances of generating electric sparks which might ignite the gases from the battery.

7) Charge the battery at a specific rate and at a specific time – Know your battery required charging time and charging power rating. You do not want to overcharge the battery for a long period of time. You can use a battery charge time calculator for this.

8) Replace bad batteries – If a battery fails to be rated “Good” after 2 charging and load test cycles, replace the battery with a new one. Faulty battery will lower the performance of your homemade electric car.

Most of the battery safety tips above are mainly common sense. There are many other steps you can take to be safe when working on your electric car.

If you would like to know more tips on how to build an electric car in your home garage, be sure to check out Les Oke’s Convert 2 EV e-book. Les has many suggestions on how to find cheap parts for your EV conversion project. For more information, read the Convert 2 EV review on this blog.

==> Click here to visit Convert 2 EV now!

Related web pages:

1) Golf Cart Battery Maintenance Guide To Extend The Life Of Electric Golf Cart Batteries

2) Samuel Watson Premium Electric Car Guide Review

Do you have the desire to buy an electric car? I am not talking about [tag-tec]hybrid car[/tag-tec], but a pure plug in electric vehicle (EV). There’s going to be a lot of buzz in the automotive industry very soon with car manufacturers promoting the heck out of pure electric cars. Chevrolet is creating buzz with their Volt model, Nissan is promoting their Electric Cube and BMW their Mini electric model. Have you check the price of these EV? You’ll be surprised it will cost upwards of $40,000. Pretty pricey for a car don’t you think.

Do It Yourself Electric Car Conversion

Some electric car enthusiast would prefer to convert a conventional gasoline vehicle into a pure electric car. It is not as glamorous, but it does give you the same benefits of any EV such as zero emission, noise free and especially gasoline free. To do that, you will need a DIY electric car plan.

What can you expect from a homemade electric car plan? First of all, you need to understand your driving needs. Most of us would think that we need a car to drive long distances. In actual fact, 90 percent of the time, our car is used for short commute of less than 50 miles.

But if you do need a car to travel long distances for work on a daily basis, you have to understand an EV would not suit your requirement. The best electric car on the road which is the Tesla Roadster has a drive mileage of only about 200 miles before you have to recharge the battery. The normal sedan EV would have a mileage of approximately 100 miles.

Preparing The Plan

When you are drawing up your DIY electric car plan, you have to factor in your daily driving needs. What do you need the car for? Is it for short commute to the grocery store or to pick up the kids from school? Do you have to carry heavy loads?

Based on your needs, you can now start sourcing for the electric donor car. A donor car is basically a car that you will use for your electric car conversion project. The work will involve stripping out the internal combustion engine and replaces it with an electric motor. To power the motor, a series of deep cycle batteries will be used. How many batteries to use again will depend on your requirement or as per your DIY electric car plan.

Outsourcing The Conversion Work

Most people would not have to skill or the experience to convert a conventional automobile into an EV. It would be a better idea to outsource the work to a professional mechanic. To be prudent, you should learn some basic science of an EV. With some knowledge, at least you will know when you are being charged for parts or work not needed on your car.

For a really practical and easy to read electric car conversion manual, check out Les Oke’s Convert 2 EV e-book. Les Oke has been converting and driving electric cars for more then 20 years. Convert 2 EV was written to impart his skill and experience to those new to electric vehicle.

==> Click Here to visit Convert 2 EV now!

This is not surprising when there are many Do It Yourself (DIY) electric car conversion guides on the market. Even a ready made electric car conversion kit cost around $400 – $500. It is a wise investment if you are spending thousand of dollar a month on gasoline.

There are some challenges in doing your own EV conversion. One of the setback is the material included in the electric car kit does not have sufficient detailed information.

Most of the literature include may not be easy to understand or user friendly. It is understandable because the guides are meant for experienced mechanic.

If you are very well versed with the inner working of a car and have been maintaining your own vehicle for years, a [tag-tec]DIY electric car conversion[/tag-tec] may not be too difficult for you. Your challenge is to get the conversion done in the least amount of time and at the lowest possible cost.

For a novice or amateur, you would have to allocate some time to kick off your EV conversion at your home garage. You will be spending hours in your workshop to retrofit the car.

Even though to convert a conventional car to EV is not a complicated process, it is devious and labor intensive work. If you have a buddy who is willing to help, be grateful for his assistance.

Although a homemade electric car is a painstaking and slow process, doing it yourself does have its advantages. Depending on how far you drive on a daily basis, you will be saving around $100 – $200 a week just by driving your electric

car. If the local gasoline prices were to go up again, the saving from using your EV will be even more substantial.

Related blog posts:
1) Electric Car Conversion Kit: Do-It-Yourself

2) New DIY Electric Car Opportunities

3) Volkswagon Beetle Electric Car Conversion

4) The Electric “Balloon” Car: They’re Safe & Cheap, But Would You Drive One?

5) Green Motors: Zenn (Zero Emissions, No Noise) Electric Car