Ducati Monster Forum

Kitchen Sink => No Moto Content => Topic started by: Monster Dave on June 02, 2009, 12:17:17 PM

Title: Step by Step: How to build an electric car
Post by: Monster Dave on June 02, 2009, 12:17:17 PM
This is really awesome and the most detailed walkthough of how to convert your car into a fully electric vehicle for less that $13,000:

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3155482 (http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3155482)

[thumbsup]




Title: Re: Step by Step: How to build an electric car
Post by: Drjones on June 02, 2009, 01:47:49 PM
Only $13k.   For fuel costs only it'd take around 7 years of driving it to just break even assuming 200mpg with the electric pp and 20mpg with the internal combustion pp.

Pie eye'd people who suck at teh maths - Priceless!

Sorry, but battery technology just quite ain't there yet.  Getting better though.
Title: Re: Step by Step: How to build an electric car
Post by: Monster Dave on June 02, 2009, 03:01:42 PM
Quote from: Drjones on June 02, 2009, 01:47:49 PM
Only $13k.   For fuel costs only it'd take around 7 years of driving it to just break even assuming 200mpg with the electric pp and 20mpg with the internal combustion pp.

Pie eye'd people who suck at teh maths - Priceless!

Sorry, but battery technology just quite ain't there yet.  Getting better though.

How do you figure???
Title: Re: Step by Step: How to build an electric car
Post by: NAKID on June 02, 2009, 03:12:54 PM
Not terribly impressed with the range. 15-30 miles in the winter and 40 in the summer? Not to mention the guy drives 20 miles a day. Seriously, it's going to take him quite some time to realize any savings with that. Not to mention the long charge time for 40 miles at best? Where does he think his electricity is coming from? Unless he is off grid with a 3+kW solar panel setup, he's probably losing money on that thing everyday...

And oil free? Hardly. Tires and lubricants still need oil to run the car. Not to mention the 700 extra pounds he is adding to the roads he travels everyday lead to increased wear and shorter lifespan of the road. How do they pave roads? Oil...

Nice find Dave, but his execution and consideration are a bit lacking.

I prefer Deitrich's EV bike over this for efficiency and lower overall ecological impact...
Title: Re: Step by Step: How to build an electric car
Post by: Monster Dave on June 02, 2009, 03:28:54 PM
Quote from: NAKID on June 02, 2009, 03:12:54 PM
I prefer Deitrich's EV bike over this for efficiency and lower overall ecological impact...

Props to that!  [thumbsup]

Title: Re: Step by Step: How to build an electric car
Post by: Drjones on June 02, 2009, 03:55:03 PM
Quote from: Monster Dave on June 02, 2009, 03:01:42 PM
How do you figure???

Donor Car = $2675

Initial cost to drive as is = $0

Initial cost to convert to EV = $10494

Now assume 10000 miles per year and $3 per gallon gas

Fuel cost for gas pp @ 20 mpg =  $1500

Fuel cost (equivalent) for EV pp @ 200 mpg = $150

Fuel premium for gas pp = $1350 per year

Now remember he paid $10494 to convert it to an EV pp.  $10494 / $1350 = ~ 7 years to break even.

Maintenance costs between the two are probably a wash or slightly higher on the gas pp ($300 a year max maybe) and assume he uses cheap public transportation for distances over 50 miles and you're still looking at 6 years to recoup the investment.

Bad maths.