Electric Cars Blog

Does a Hybrid Need a Special Charger?

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:42:57 GMT

I'm thinking of doing a gas/electric hybrid conversion (using a small motorcycle engine to power the charging circuit) - My question is what resources

EV Recharging While you Drive

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 07:24:21 GMT

Would it be possible to have a set of batteries recharging as your driving? I'm thinking of running a 10,000 watt generator that the recharger is plugged

Tips for Keeping your EV Motor Dry

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:23:46 GMT

On the question of keeping the electric car's motor dry: I built a 'pan' to completely cover the bottom of the engine compartment. This also apparently

EV Conversion: Electric Reverse

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:14:14 GMT

I've noticed with EV conversions there is mention of electric reverse being used. Doesn't the manual transmission have reverse gear already? Am I missing

Trojan T-145 6 Volt Battery

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 02:56:33 GMT

What is the cycle life of the Trojan T-145 6 Volt Battery? The T-145 has higher discharge rate @25 -530@ 75 - 145@ 20 - 260. What makes the T-105 a

When is Best to Recharge EV Batteries?

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 00:15:37 GMT

Is it better to recharge frequently after each use or to wait till the charge is low? Hi, Judith! That depends on the batteries you have in your electric

Lithium Ion Batteries for Electric Cars

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 21:09:34 GMT

Why aren't lithium ion batteries being used in electric cars instead of lead-acid? Hi, Drew - Several reasons. First, Li-ion batteries are more expensive

Are There Electric Car Conversion Kits?

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:50:41 GMT

Is there an electric car conversion kit where a person can make their own electric car? Hi, Paul - Sure! It's what I would do myself if I were converting

DIY Hybrid Electric Car: Using an AC Generator Head with a Small Electric Motor

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:35:22 GMT

Well, this is more a suggestion, rather than a question, on how to build your own hybrid electric car. The average 4cyl car motor weighs about 700 lbs,

Keeping an Electric Car Motor Dry

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 03:30:54 GMT

When I drive in the rain or cross a creek will that tear up my motor? If I buy an A/C motor would I have to buy an inverter? Hi, Dale - Don't worry

Batteries: Safety, Placement, and Cycle Life

Wed, 24 Feb 2010 03:37:18 GMT

Say I was to convert a Honda Civic 4-door to electric. I have two children to transport to school on my commute. Would they be sitting on top of or

Can I Retrofit my Car into a Generator Hybrid?

Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:44:40 GMT

Is it possible to use a small combustion engine, just a few horse power, to turn a generator (also small scale) to simply supplement (provide a percentage

How many KW for my electric car motor?

Sun, 21 Feb 2010 05:33:16 GMT

Would a 3 kw electric car motor suffice, seeing that I am content with a speed of 30 kmph (about 18 mph), if my car weighs 650 kilos and with one passenger

Building An Electric Car

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 23:17:41 GMT

I've been considering for a while on building an all electric car. I live in an area where I have to drive to get pretty much anywhere, and decided the

Cheaper Electric Car Motors

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:00:04 GMT

How and where do you get a cheaper electric car motor? Whenever I look for electric car motors, I'm seeing prices at $6000 to $9000. Is that right?

Installing an Electric Car Motor

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 00:27:21 GMT

1. Will I be able to remove the gas engine from my van and install an electric motor attached to the drive shaft? 2. How big is the motor and how fast

Electric Car Performance Comparison

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:41:43 GMT

What is the horse power of these AC motors in comparison to a gas engine in relation to size? Example, to have an electric motor replace a 5.7L engine.

Electric Car Conversion: Dodge Neon

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 16:10:34 GMT

I'm thinking about converting my 99 Neon to electric. Should I use AC or DC, and how big should I make the motor? Hi, Andrew - You can use either AC

EV Conversion Calculator

Sat, 30 Jan 2010 15:30:55 GMT

Is there an EV conversion calculator somewhere where I can figure out how much motor output I will need for my desired performance? Hi, Andy - Yes,

Aptera Update: Dude, where's my deposit?

Thu, 28 Jan 2010 06:07:43 GMT

Oh, how I hate being wrong. You've heard the phrase, "rats deserting a sinking ship?" Well, if I'd put a deposit down on an Aptera, which I didn't, so take it for what it's worth, but...if I had? I'd be demanding my deposit back before it EVAPORATED, and I'd be heading for the nearest lifeboat.

Electric Car Batteries: Lead or Lithium?

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 20:32:19 GMT

Which electric car batteries do you need for your conversion or NEV? Let's wade through the information and decide for ourselves, shall we?

Electric Motorcycle Crash Fundraiser - Nikki's Video!

Sun, 20 Dec 2009 06:02:30 GMT

It's been a few weeks since Nathan Abbot crashed his electric motorcycle during a cross country ride - you can read all about it in this Wired magazine article.
Nathan is now in a Portland hospital recovering from his (severe) injuries, and he and his family need our help this holiday season! Please click on the link below and donate whatever you can until Dec. 31; I know they will really appreciate it.

Chevy Volt gets a Chirpy Sound

Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:03:47 GMT

Remember when blessed silence was a GOOD thing? Well, not anymore. Apparently, those treehugging Prius drivers have been inadvertently mowing down pedestrians in their path from Starbucks to Pilates, so GM is talking to the National Federation for the Blind about how they can add a level of noise pollution to electric cars. Apparently involves a non-birdly "automotive" chirping.

Switching from 6v to 12v Batteries

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:36:37 GMT

I have an EZ-GO 36 volt three wheel golf car that uses six 6 volt batteries. Can I use three 12 volt batteries instead, and lighten the load? Hi,

1962 Falcon Electric Car Conversion

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 02:19:30 GMT

In my reading here I've got the basics: Golf Cart deep cycle batteries, 3 phase AC Induction Motor. I'll try this myself, but would like to talk

Electric Champ Car Conversion

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:54:20 GMT

I'm converting a ChampCar (Swift010) which weighs about 1000 lbs to run off electric. I want to use the traction motor being sold by Mavin and

Generator Hybrid Car Question

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 01:29:36 GMT

I'm building a generator hybrid car, but have not found anywhere on how to connect the generator to the drive train. I have read a lot of post

Charging an Electric Car with a Wind Turbine

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 19:13:07 GMT

1. Is it possible to charge your electric car with a wind turbine, and which type of wind turbine will charge it like overnight? 500 watt, 1 kw, 2

Electric Car Conversion like a Tesla

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:50:58 GMT

I'm interested in a full electric conversion, AC motor,lithium batteries, controller, etc. Do you know of a company that sells such a kit or have a

Ford F100 Electric Vehicle Conversion

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:50:26 GMT

I have a 1953 Ford F100. What size electric motor would be OK, and what type and price range? Hi, Robert! First, I love these old dudes as much

Converting an Electric Boat

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 06:15:24 GMT

I have a 10,000 lb. boat with dual Volvo outdrives that are 1.89/1 with 14 by 15 props. Would electric motors work here? Yes. Jack Knopf in Texas

Brushless DC Motors

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 16:22:02 GMT

I may be showing my ignorance, but I believe brushless DC motors run on three phase AC. Why is it called a DC motor? Well... Brushless DC motors

Which EV Battery is Best for my Electric Motor?

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:06:18 GMT

I plan on using the NetGain Warp 9inch motor, and I am not sure how many amp hours should I need? Hi, Marshall! This depends on how much weight

Hybrid Car: Electric Motor, Gas Generator

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:49:59 GMT

I've been kicking this problem around about using a gas generator to power an electric motor. I know it does not take you away from oil, but it does

Electric Motorcycle Conversion

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:36:18 GMT

How do you convert a motorcycle to electric? I'm looking to build an electric street cruiser. Not a moped, I mean a real tire smoking

Hybrid-Electric SUV Conversion

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:03:26 GMT

Has anyone thought of mounting a 20hp motor on a reinforced differential cover with 2nd pinion on the ring gear facing rearward? Basically the

Beginning an Electric Car Conversion

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:06:17 GMT

I want to start converting a 98 Eclipse into a electric car. I am just doing the research on it right now. What are some suggestions that you may

EV "Buddy Batteries" - Series and Parallel

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 16:37:01 GMT

I have a 94 Metro I am planning to convert to EV. I planning to get a 72V kit for the conversion. Can I use 6 12V batteries in this sequence?

Desulphating Car Batteries

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:38:19 GMT

They claim you can refurbish a car battery. How? Right! Sulphation is what happens to lead-acid batteries as they age, and de-sulphation is the

Electric Garden Tractor Conversion

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:03:44 GMT

I have a 1979 Cub Cadet 682 garden tractor with a 17 hp gas engine which provides power to a hydrostatic drive and electric clutch power takeoff for

EV Transmission, or CVT?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:39:23 GMT

Is a transmission required on EVs? If so would a CVT from a snowmobile offer an advantage? Hi, Jim - No, you don't actually need a transmission for

AC or DC Electric Car Motor?

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 05:13:30 GMT

Either an ac or dc electric car motor has its good and bad, so how can I have the best of both worlds? I am currently building a Cobra replica with

Torque in an AC Electric Car Motor

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 04:12:30 GMT

How much torque do the AC drive systems generate? Hi, TR - The Azure Dynamics 3-phase AC electric motors - the ones most often used in AC electric

Electric Vehicle Conversion Manual: EV Secrets

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 04:44:08 GMT

Interview with Gavin Shoebridge from NZ who did an electric vehicle conversion on YouTube...now revealing his EV Secrets. Oh, yes; )

New Hyundai Electric Car

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:16:14 GMT

This came from the GM-Volt website (thanks to Seth Leitman for tweeting it).
Apparently Hyundai has abandoned their hydrogen delusions and decided that there might be a future in electric cars, after all.
99 mile range on lithium ion batteries, same supplier as the Volt, but 0-60 in 15 seconds?
I had a pony when I was a kid that could move faster than that; )

Building an Electric Mazda RX-7

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:54:33 GMT

I was thinking of converting an rx7 the year around 94 I like the body style. It needs to travel a distance at least 100 mile per charge, and it

EV Range Deterioration Over Time

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 22:06:46 GMT

I have 24 Trojan T-105 batteries in my electric vehicle. I have about 300 cycles on these batteries and I have noticed that my range has gone down

Electric Car Motor Availability and Cost

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:34:21 GMT

Can you give me some idea of the availability and the cost of the electric car motors? Hi, Don - The most available electric car motor is the

Is this Hybrid Hummer the Real Thing?

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 04:59:22 GMT

Ca I hook up a gas or diesel generator directly to the a ac or dc motor, insted of the usual batter/charged system? I am a photog and I know that

Lithium, Lead, Amp-Hours, and EVs

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 05:00:30 GMT

I was wondering what the differences would be between doing a conversion using Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries that have 100 A/h and one that uses