Electric car conversion workshop teaches EV modding
Electric vehicle (EV) advocate Jenny Isaacs has decided she can't wait for rising fuel prices to usher in a wave of hybrids and EVs, and has instead started a workshop to teach people how to convert their own vehicles. Isaacs has brought a Californian EV expert in to run a two-week course in her home town that will show 20 vocational-technical school teachers how to convert a petrol-powered vehicle into a straight EV.
A 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon will go under the knife for the sake of the course and be converted into a road-going electric vehicle, a process which typically costs around $10,000 including labour and 8-16 lead acid batteries. Lead acid batteries take many hours to charge and only offer a short travel distance but are incredibly cheap to run once they're set up.
Analysis: With lithium-ion battery technology moving forward so quickly and dropping in price, there will be a real niche for people to offer EV conversions in the future. Imagine a standard, turn-key li-ion battery conversion kit with everything you needed to convert your car being sold on the promise of no more fuel bills. That's an idea that would sell.
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[Source: The Morning Call via Its Getting Hot In Here]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
jcwinnie 8:16PM (3/18/2007)
Well, Dane, can I sell you a kit from Enova Systems to turn your vehicle into a plug-in hybrid with lithium ion batteries?
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Jenny Isaacs 11:18PM (3/19/2007)
I'm happy to see this notice of the first-ever East Coast EV conversion course for teachers appear on autobloggreen. Just wanted to note that this class is based on the C2EC2T course which ran very successfully in San Diego last summer and is documented in a google video here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5148280482272042028&q=electric+conversion
For information about the 2007 C2EC2T in San Diego email quevedo@cox.net
While the East Coast version of this two-week, hands-on course is targeted to automotive technology teachers, if space allows, enrollment will be opened to EV enthusiasts. Visit www.buckscountyrenewables/course.html for details on the class and email info@buckscountyrenewables.com if you would be interested in participating.
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fredric 3:27PM (6/18/2007)
we have developing classes in manco,co too email for info at retro_electrocoupe@yahoo.com
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