56 Chevy Electric Car Conversion?
by Robert Carreon
(Frederick, Maryland)
I really do not want to get rid of this old car I have, but with the price of gas now a days it's hard coming up with a reason to keep it!
We all know it drinks gas like crazy, the question is, would it be a good candidate for electric car conversion or not? (I think my car weigh is about 5000 lbs maybe more not sure.)
Since it weighs more, would it also cost more and around how much?
Hi, Robert!
It's beautiful.
It's a classic.
And unfortunately...
It's not a very good candidate for a budget-minded conversion.
Why?
Because, as you say, it's heavy. It was born back in the days of cheap gasoline, so there was little effort made to make it light or aerodynamic. It's a brick.
So what does it take to push a brick down the street?
If you want to accelerate faster than the old ladies next door out walking their poodles, no problem. You're going to want an AC system. 5000 pounds? Make that a Big AC system.
Now that you've lightened your wallet by 15-20k, time to put 300v or so worth of batteries in it. Budget-minded means lead acid batteries. Lead is heavy.
(The good news? Looks like plenty of space for battery boxes, at least; )
Sigh. Now that I've talked you out of it, hopefully, I think it would be a really cool electric car in some ways. I kinda hope you ignore all of us and just go for it.
Um, then come back and let us know how it went!
All the best -
Lynne