The 2007 EV Conversion Workshop is converting a VW Vanagon to electric
As part of the 2007 EV Conversion Workshop, and sponsored by Bucks County Renewables with the help of the Energy Justice Network, Jenny Isaacs has gotten together a group made up mostly of teachers who will be converting a 1985 Volkswagen Vanagon from gasoline power to electric. We told you about this way back in March, and now we can follow up that story by directing you over to a site made by Jenny to update everybody on the progress.
The plan is to make this a completely zero-emissions vehicle by offsetting the carbon spent while charging the vehicle by purchasing wind energy. If you would like to check out the vehicle once it has been completed, they plan to show it off at RiverFest, in Frenchtown NJ on Sept 1 - 3 and at the Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Festival in Kempton PA, Sept 21 - 23. We certainly wish Jenny and the ten person team the best!
Related:
[Source: Electric Vanagon and Jenny Isaacs]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jennifer 1:40PM (2/19/2008)
HELP ME! I want to convert a '60s model Vanagon to electic, but i need help. No one around where i live knows anything about converting (Fort Wayne, Indiana) instead of using batteries (that decrease power by 5% monthly wether you use them or not) i want to look into using a "Capacitor" anyone with any ideas or know where to go let me know! ~Jenn
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Chris M 5:35PM (8/22/2008)
Ultra-capacitors have 3 advantages - unlimited charge/discharge cycles, undamaged by full discharge, and it is easy to determine state of charge (just measure the voltage). But even the best ultracapacitors have several disadvantages that make them a bad choice for main power storage in EVs.
The energy density is much less than lead acid batteries, meaning a greatly reduced range at the same weight. Cost per watthour stored is much higher than other battery types.
The voltage drops linearly durning discharge, requiring a sophisticated voltage converter for operation, and that adds to the cost and reduces efficiency.
The "self discharge" rate of capacitors is higher than batteries, the charge leaks away while sitting unused.
Capacitors aren't ready to power cars, but they can be useful as a "power buffer" for other types of batteries, absorbing and releasing numerous small power surges that could reduce battery lifespan.
If you are on a budget, and can live with range and performance limitations, go with deep discharge type lead acid batteries - they won't last as long as other batteries, but don't cost as much, either.
If you prefer more range and longevity, go with NiMH or Li-iron phospate cells. NiMH has nearly 3x the energy density of lead acid, and Li-phosphate 4x to 5x the energy density. Cost will be higher, of course.
"Standard" LiIon using cobalt oxide electrodes are high energy cells, nearly 7x the energy density of lead acid, but require sophisticated temperature controls and battery managment to prevent fires. Leave those to experts, like the engineers at Tesla Motors.
The Li-titanate cells from Altair Nano have excellent cycle life and longevity, has good heat resistance, and are very powerful, but energy density is similar to Li-phosphate and the price is very high, so only if you've got a really big budget. Come to think of it, with their high power and very high cycle count, Altair Nano cells could also make a very good "buffer battery" for other types of cells.
Dave 4:05PM (8/30/2008)
I can help you get ahold of a flux capacitor. A guy named Dr. Emmett Brown started building these things back in the 1980's with great success. I believe the first install was in a De Lorean DMC-12.
JohnM 9:55AM (7/05/2008)
Jennifer - there is no such thing as a "'60s model Vanagon",
since the Vanagon production did not start until the 1980 model year.
MikeZ - As Matthew points out, the Vanagons were made more than a decade removed from the "Summer of Love".
A low-cost electric vehicle conversion to existing small commercial vehicles (like the VW T3 "Vanagon" and the VW T4 "EuroVan") make excellent economic sense for in-city usage in today's $4.00/gallon gasoline pricing. Use existant electric technology to maintain an economy until better technology can be developed.
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Robert Berube 3:56PM (8/22/2008)
we convert a 1994 S10 into an all electric truck . Now that we want insurance on it we realy cannot find somebody to insured it Do you have any idea where we can find an insurance we live in Indiana Thank you
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Mike Z 4:13PM (7/27/2007)
Do you really think it's such a good idea to use a car associated so much with hippies?
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ex-g35-owner 5:47PM (7/27/2007)
The title of this post is very misleading.
The title implies this van has been converted already.
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LeslieAnn 5:40PM (7/08/2008)
ExG35 owner cannot read. It is clear this is a project in progress. Wish I could attend it. Good luck
Jeremy Korzeniewski 9:24PM (7/27/2007)
ex-G35-owner - you were right. I edited it to be more correct. Thanks!
Jeremy
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Cherie 10:54AM (3/26/2009)
So what happened? Did it work?
It's March 2009...
I'm getting ready to buy my 1980something Vanagon..should I?
Cherie
jimmy quest 6:44AM (7/31/2007)
Mike Z...you're so right. Who wants to associate hippies with electric cars? They should have chosen something more Republican like a Lincoln Navigator.
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MDarling 4:26PM (8/01/2007)
Too big.
Too non-aerodynamic.
Too cool.
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Matthew 3:37PM (8/07/2007)
Oddly Enough Vanagons were not associated with Hippies, since they cost too much, and were made too late. However, the earlier Bay Windows VW Bus, and the Split Window VW bus were.
Vanagons are more likely associated with Yuppies who like to camp!
I am following this blog myself, as this is of Great Interest to me!
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