An electric car is an automobile that is powered by one or a couple of electric motors, utilizing electrical energy stored in batteries or any other storage medium. Electric vehicles (EV) were quite popular in the late 19th century and in the beginning of 20th century.

However, with the major advances in the technology of internal combustion engines and large-scale manufacture of inexpensive gasoline vehicles resulted in the decline in the use of electric cars. Although the energy crises of the 1970s and 80s resurrected electric cars to some extent, this was only short-lived.

Ultimately, in the mid-2000s, there was a renewed interest in the production of electric cars, mainly due to steady increase in oil prices and the realization about the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions. Electric cars are slowly gaining in popularity once again.

The EV is therefore not any new discovery. They have now become so popular that many enthusiasts have taken up conversion of their conventional gasoline-powered cars into electric cars on do-it-yourself (DIY) basis. Since EVs went out of the main stream, most of the electric cars seen on the roads are converted cars either in the garage at home or backyard.

After several years of research, conversion of gasoline vehicles into electric ones has been mastered. Many car makers also have developed cost-effective designs and begun manufacturing electric cars. A few years ago, only car mechanics and engineers were fully aware of the conversion process.

People who had no experience or even faint idea about EVs were quite happy to pay anywhere between $8,000 and $12000 to own an electric car. Although this is an exorbitant price, still it is cheaper than the hybrid cars produced by leading car makers. This situation has totally changed when innovative minded offered the secret of electric car conversion to the public at large through Internet; with the result the cost of constructing a homemade EV has significantly reduced making many Americans extremely happy.

This is because an electric car conversion guide not only explains how to convert traditional gasoline-powered cars into electric ones but also gives a list of places where to obtain quality inexpensive parts and the tools required to carry out the conversion job.

With this facility, the services of a car mechanic or an expert are not required as the guide itself is very comprehensive and touches upon all aspects of car conversion. This considerably reduces the cost of the conversion project. The car conversion is a complicated process and involves proper planning and meticulous execution of various steps to avoid any hassles.

However, with exhaustive instructions, correct tools and right components, the conversion process can be completed without any difficulty. In view of soaring oil prices, electric cars have become the best method to face oil crisis and there is no cheaper way to own a pure electric vehicle than converting the existing conventional vehicle driven by internal combustion engine.

With experts forecasting a drastic depletion in oil supplies in the next 20 years, one can only visualize how expensive the oil-prices would be at that time. One need not depend on oil- producing countries for oil. People can take initiative by assembling an electric car and the message can spread far and wide so that others can also do the same.

You can enjoy the benefit of considerable savings by building an electric car on DIY basis and at the same time contribute to ecology.

With soaring fuel prices, increasing number of people are constantly exploring various options to meet their transportation needs. Among them, electric cars are the most preferred option by numerous car owners and assembling or converting the existing cars at home from electric car kits available in the market as a do-it-yourself (DIY) task has become very popular these days.

Those having a fair knowledge of automobiles can easily make use of these kits to convert conventional gasoline-powered vehicles into electric cars that run with the help of electric current. However, converting a conventional gasoline-powered vehicle into an electric vehicle is quite an arduous task. Only people with an aptitude for undertaking mechanical jobs should attempt this job.

In order to convert an internal combustion-engine vehicle to electric vehicle (EV), practically all mechanical parts, right from the engine, the radiator, heater and air-conditioning system to the gauges on the panel are required to be either replaced or suitably altered. Above all, the electric cars need to be recharged from time to time either by purchasing the necessary equipment or availing the services of a nearest recharging station.

Solar energy is also a possible source of power for the electric vehicle. Here are a few frequently raised queries on electric car conversions and their answers.

Limitation in the choice of a car for EV.

All types of cars cannot be converted into an electric vehicle. The regular type of electric vehicle is the Chevy S-10 pickup kit. There are a few websites that furnish details regarding Chevy S-10 pickup electric conversions.

Other cars that can be used for electric vehicle conversion include the Chevy Geo Metro, particularly, the models from 1989 to 1999; the Chevy Sprint; Pontiac Sprint; Pontiac Firefly and the Suzuki Swift.

Drawbacks in using an electric vehicle conversion kit.

Earlier most people considered electric cars are quite slow and lack power to pick up speed. However, with several developments in the electric vehicle technology, the cars converted using these vehicle conversion kits can achieve maximum speeds ranging from 70 to 75 mph. Even then conversion of gasoline powered cars to electric cars has certain deficiencies.

The major shortcoming is that batteries in the electric car need recharging frequently. For example, the Chevy Geo Metro kit must be recharged every 20 to 40 miles, depending on the quality of the battery and driving speeds. In any case, converted electric cars are best suited only for driving within the city and not for long distance driving.

The Chevy S-10 electric vehicle, converted using conversion kit, will run for a longer distance on a single charge. On a single charge, one can drive the Chevy S-10 ranging from 40 to 60 miles. However, this is subject to driving habits and the quality of batteries. A few S-10 models can be fitted with solar powered panels, which would minimize the need for charging at least when driving during the bright day light.

Cost implications in converting into electric cars using electric vehicle kits.

It is quite costly to convert the present gasoline engine powered car into an electric vehicle using a conversion kit. The prices of most of the conversion kits vary from $8,000 to $10,000 excluding the cost of batteries and professional installation charges, if services of a car mechanic are required.

In addition, one should also consider the cost of purchasing a battery charging equipment, if car is to be charged at home or the distance to a charging station. To sum up, considering the costs of conversion kits, it may not be a feasible option for the average car owner, particularly for those who frequently drive long distances on the highway.

Nevertheless, it would be suitable for those who are fond of doing automobile jobs at their backyards at their homes and do not mind paying a high price for a car vehicle conversion kit.

Nowadays, we have to spend a huge amount on fuel for driving our vehicle on the road. Time has come now, when you can drive a distance for over 80 miles, at a speed of 90 km/h, without the trouble of stopping at a gas station and without causing any environment pollution.

All these have become possible with the arrival of electric cars that are now becoming more and more user-friendly and widely favored in the United States and all over the countries in the world.

By use of electric cars, a lot of money can be saved on fuel in everyday life. Another great advantage is that the carbons emissions from internal combustion engines that seriously contribute to atmospheric pollution, can be curbed to a considerable extend, if electric cars are favored over the conventional ones.

If you have no definite idea about converting your car into a fuel saving pure electric vehicle (EV), it is better that you get necessary guidance from a step-to-step manual released for the purpose.

You should never attempt to convert your car without getting properly guidance with the help of a manual meant for the purpose. As a preliminary step, you have to remove the entire internal combustion engine or modify the conventional internal combustion engine of your vehicle into electric propulsion.

This will indeed make your automobile feel almost like a plug-in hybrid electric car. The truth is that thousands of people around the world have taken over EV conversion as a hobby to get their conventional cars converted into an electric one. If you want to identify yourself as one amongst them, it is advisable to get familiarized with the process of substitution of engines with a high torque electric motor.

Most DIY EV enthusiasts now prefer to use an electric car conversion kit that helps them go through various steps of conversion without many hurdles. This tool is very much helpful for installation and going through the entire process.

A person who is aiming at reduction of fuel expenses by installation of electric motor should first try to familiarize himself with the so-called electrical car kit or seek expert opinion on making use of each tool in the tool package, so as to facilitate the transformation process with ease.

You should keep in mind that there are two major types of conversion kits in use, the customs type and the universal type. The difference is that the customs type is specifically designed for particular types of vehicles, while the universal types can be applied for many vehicles in common.

What you should know is that by possession of a guide that enlightens on conversion of a conventional car into electric one with minute details, the entire process would become much easier and hassle-free. Practically everyone can afford to have it and what is important is to get the right type of manual for the EV conversion project.

A general opinion of the experts is that any new attempt for conversion of a vehicle into electrical one, should begin on light vehicles like Nissan Sentra or Honda Civic. Light trucks are also usually ideal for electric conversion for the reason that the transmission of electrical impulses becomes more effective on them than the heavier ones.

If you ever seriously consider reducing your gasoline expenses by usual means, better abandon the idea and go straight for transforming of your vehicle into an electrical one.