Homebuilt EV conversion drops gas bill from $10 a day to 60 cents
We're seeing a lot reports of homebuilt electric vehicle conversions these days. Most owners say they were motivated after seeing gas prices skyrocket last summer. The latest success story comes from Oregon where Charles and Ronda Crockett ripped the gas engine out of a 1994 Saturn wagon and stuffed in 20 batteries and an electric motor. A school librarian, Charles says he's not much of a mechanic or electrician but he does know how to conduct research. The goal was to build a vehicle that could go 80 miles on a single charge.
The used Saturn cost just $900, the batteries were $1,700 and the conversion kit was $6,700. Charles says the cost of the conversion will be paid off in gas savings within two years. By his math, a daily commute costs between 30 and 60 cents. With his gas vehicle it was $10.
[Source: Beth Casper / Statesman Journal]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Shon-tiyon Horton 1:17PM (1/30/2008)
Wow! Thanks for the inspiration, and count me in the EV revolution. If anyone knows of some handy websites for ordering kits to do this; I'd love to get such an email about this.
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norma 5:31PM (2/23/2008)
i'm very interested in finding out how i can convert my 1995 saturn sc2 to a electric car, i would also like to convert some of my other cars but one at a time. if there is a way that you can tell me how and where i could get the parts or what i need to do to convert mine over. i would appreciate it so very much. i'm very interested in getting this done. thank you norma and george
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Derf 7:50AM (3/05/2008)
Just goes to show that folks are getting tired of being strangled by gas prices.
I am really interested to find out about this process. My wife and I are going to use our 1998 Rav4 for our project.
If anyone has any information about this process please let me know. I am very handy and can make the necessary modifications.
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Dusty 9:59PM (3/14/2008)
I have always been into the muscle car style more than anything. I have recently seen many new advances in EV technology and have been researching how to build one. I am actually thinking of taking a '70 corvette stingray that I have that the engine has been pulled and turning it into a EV. Any Advice?
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Jerimiah Lear McGraw 6:29AM (5/18/2008)
Hello All Readers My name is Jerimiah and i convert classic aircooled volkswagons into efficient Electric Vehichles,
Email me or reply to this post.
you can have your classic electric volkswagon for
$8500.00 and it will go 60mph and have a cycle life of 40 - 50 miles. want to know more just ask!!!!!!!!!!
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gary 12:53PM (8/14/2008)
Jerimiah,
I would be interested in some info (time,cost, etc) on the VW conversions. I can be reached at gconnelly@gmail.com.
Thanks, Gary
Anthony 10:56PM (5/18/2008)
Jerimiah, I am interested in your classic vw conversions, Do you have a website or blog?
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Jerimiah Lear McGraw 7:12PM (10/24/2008)
Hi sorry it took me so long to get back with you all. i see that their are a couple people intrested in the electric conversion for your vw. feel free to email me with any questions or comments. thank you
Jerimiah Lear McGraw
jmcgraw828640@yahoo.com
David Armstrong 8:54AM (5/27/2008)
Jerimiah please contact me about a conversion,where you are and when you could do one.
or if you would tell me how to do this and what you would charge.David dairyman@ufl.edu
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glenruss 11:08AM (6/06/2008)
Hi I am new to this, but old to hating raising gas prices. I just purchased a manuel on how to run your car on water. Looks like I wasted $50.00. I still might try to build the HHO conversion kit. Anyone try it?
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gary 7:39AM (6/18/2008)
jerimiah,would like to talk to you about a vw,please e-mail me what part of the country are you in. thanks Gary
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gary 7:55AM (6/18/2008)
to glenruss tryed one on a town and country 2002 3.8 did not work but i have spent over $500 water4gas not for this guy good luck gary
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Bill Palmer 7:14PM (6/23/2008)
Mr. Crockett,
Sir; I would like any information you can share with me about this remarkable Electric Car that you built with your Wife. I would like to do the same thing with a 2001 or 2002 Saturn Station Wagon.
Respectfully,
Bill Palmer
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Tony Henriquez 10:00PM (6/26/2008)
Hi Jerimiah, please contact me about your VW conversions. tazldr@q.com
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Patrick 3:56PM (7/29/2008)
HHO is H2O and H2O is water don't be fooled by the HHO conversion its a scam. if you know basic chemistry there is no such thing as HHO you wright it as H2O.
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Ed 2:37PM (4/06/2009)
Sounds like everyone wants to know how to convert their car to electric. It will eliminate your dependency on gas for your car. After the conversion, every night simply plug your car into your house and charge it up. Then drive up to 200 miles the next day... Well depending on how you convert your car, it may only get 100 miles a day. That's just fine for 95% of us today.
If you want to convert your car to electric, we've compared the conversion guides you can get online at http://www.EVModKits.com so you can see for yourself.
Ed
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Carl Trimble 10:56PM (12/24/2006)
Charles, If you are reading this... Please come to electriccarbuilder.com and tell your story. We would like to hear about the conversion kit you used. Or the parts that made up your conversion kit.
Thanks,
Carl
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George Krpan 5:23AM (12/27/2006)
"By his math, a daily commute costs between 30 and 60 cents. With his gas vehicle it was $10."
Lets say his commute now costs 50 cents. That means gas costs 20 times more.
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chrisjczar 7:03PM (9/01/2007)
I'm lazy but I care. So...
How much?
Where can I do have it done?
How soon can I have it done?
Real people want solutions no matter where they come from.
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David 11:52PM (9/04/2007)
I so do not want the government, oil companies, car makers, or ignorance of the public to dictate to me, an individual, what kind of car I can drive.
I have found all sorts of information on conversions, but don't really know which is the best route to take.
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