An Electric Car Conversion for the Mechanically ChallengedNot mechanically-challenged? Click right this way. 
Interested in an electric car conversion? Here's my advice: Find someone who's done a conversion you like, and then buy it. I don't know about you, but I'm not going to convert an ICE-machine into an electric-powered rocket in my spare time. I think I mentioned before that my mechanical aptitude is measured in negative numbers. However, this is what I've found: There are people out there who actually LIKE doing this sort of thing... ...and are willing to sell them to you when they're done! I'm thinking, let's leave the sweating and grease to them and just pony up the CASH instead! You with me?? Oh, OKAY...if you like sweating and grease, that's your business.
Click here for my page about converting your gas-gulper to electric.
One of a kind vehiclesThis can be a good thing...or a bad thing. The nice part about a one-of-a-kind, homemade electric cars is that nobody else has one just like it. It's the difference between buying that Oleg Cassini off the rack or having Oleg design it for you. I mean, if you could afford it, why wouldn't you?
Well, one drawback to having a one-of-a-kind car is trying to find parts for it later. If the parts have to be custom built because your car is a prototype, or they quit making it, or whatever...you might find yourself with an orphan car sometime down the road.However... ...the electric parts are less likely to need replacing than the other parts, like brakes and tires and headlights and such. So if you convert a Chevy S-10 or a Ford F-150, a Forerunner or an Echo or a Legacy, you don't really have an orphan, do you? You can take it into any tire or brake shop and get the ordinary things replaced. The parts are cheap, because there are dozens of them out on the road. The electric parts that will probably need replacing down the road are batteries, and one battery can certainly be interchanged with another... ...as long as the dimensions are the same. Motors and controllers for your electric car conversion can be purchased from companies that have been around for a long time and will continue to be around for a long time. The net result is that your car might be one of a kind... ...but it's not really "orphanable" in the same way a production car from a dead company might be. It's just that the parents are only SHACKING UP.
Cheaper and better than the production cars currently availableIf you need more room, more power, or more speed than the Zaps and NmG's can offer, the conversion might be your answer...for now. But stay tuned for the 40K Phoenix Motors SUV - featuring Altair Nanosafe batteries - next year.
Drawback: Financing. You may get financing through your credit union or bank for one of the production electric cars you find at a green car dealership, but
probably not for your conversion.
They might cost a little less, depending, but the financing issue is a big one for most of us. I mean, how many people do you know with ten thousand or so dollars cash laying around? The gas-guzzlers have the advantage of finance companies associated with their dealerships, and nearly anyone can get credit to buy a fume-farter.Where to buy an electric car conversion (already done)
Good place to find a used electric car conversion for saleThis is the Tradin' Post, from Austin EV website. It is a free classified advertising service for people who want to buy and sell electric cars and conversions. EV Finder Classifieds - Used electric cars and conversions Another very good resource for finding used electric car conversions in your area. There are also (fairly current) ebay listings on this page. Oregon Electric Vehicle Association Classifieds This doesn't appear to be a very active classified list; the last time I looked, the newest ad was dated 2005. However, it doesn't hurt to look, does it? Electric Vehicles of America's Conversions for sale page More conversions for sale. CoolGreenCar.net This company, which has been in business 8 years, converts fast cars, like Porsches; ) but also do ordinary cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, snowmobiles. Hybrids from BMWs to trucks. Where to get your gas-gobbler converted
Southern Electric Cars, Inc.In Gainesville, FL; Richard Johnson will convert your gas-guzzler to electric. Bob's EV Conversions
Hi, I'm not a girl, but I actively support (and drive) electric cars. Way to go on putting together this site!
Venture forward to Build Your Own electric car
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