With rising fuel costs, more and more people and are looking for alternatives. One such alternative that is gaining popularity, especially with the do-it yourself types, are the electric vehicle kits. Anyone familiar with automobiles can now use these kits to convert traditional gas powered vehicles to one powered by electric current.

However, converting a traditional Gas powered vehicle into an electric vehicle can be a very daunting task. Only those who are the very mechanically minded should try this. To convert the vehicle will require extensive modifications to nearly all-mechanical parts of the car. Everything from the engine to the radiator, heater and air-conditioning, to the gauges on the panel. On top of that, the electric cars have to be recharged on a regular basis, which means having to purchase or use the services of recharging station. Solar power could be another potential source of power for the electric vehicle.

Can any car be converted into an electric vehicle?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Not all cars can be converted into an electric vehicle. However, and the most common electric vehicle kit seems to be the Chevy S-10 pick up kit. For examples to follow just do a search online for Chevy S-10 pickup Electric conversions. Other cars that are good candidates for conversion are the Chevy Geo, especially from 1989 to 1999. These cars are good potential candidates for an electric vehicle kit conversion. Cars similar to the Chevy Geo Metro, such as the Chevy Sprint, Pontiac Firefly and the Suzuki Swift are also ideal for conversions too.

Are there downsides to using an electric vehicle kit?

Going back a few years, many people associated electric powered vehicles with slowness and a lack of power. But as usual, thanks to technology, significant advances in the electric vehicle have changed all that. With these electric vehicle kits some cars can reach top speeds of between 70 and 75 mph. nonetheless, converting to electric power still has its drawbacks.

The biggest drawback it is of course the need for recharging the batteries. As an example, the Chevy Geo Metro kit must be recharged every 20 to 40 miles, depending on driving habits and battery quality. For city driving, this would be ideal. However, for lengthy commutes on the highway, this would not be ideal.

The Chevy S-10 with an electric vehicle kit installed will run a little longer on a single charge. On a single charge, the S-10 should last between 40 and 60 miles. Again this depends upon the driving habits as well as the size and quality of batteries. Some S-10 models can be equipped with solar powered panels which would in reduced in the need for charging, at least when driving during daylight hours.

Converting vehicles with electric vehicle kits is not a cheap affair. Most conversion kits seem to cost between $8000 to $10,000. And this does not even include professional installation as well as the cost of the batteries, not to mention access to or the purchase of a charging station.

Quite frankly, with the cost involved of using an electric vehicle kit, it probably wouldn’t be very practical for the average consumer, especially if they do a lot of highway driving. However, that being said, it probably would be ideal for a back yard mechanic who loves to tinker with cars and has a few bucks to throw around and wants to impress his beer-drinking buddies.

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lectric Car Conversion Kits

Check the turning circle before buying the kit.

There are electric car conversion kits available from retailers and these can be fitted by someone with a good mechanical background. Before buying a conversion kit to fit to your car, it would firstly, be wise to check to see what type of car the electric car conversion kit is suitable for.

Most of the electric cars will do a mileage of between 30 to70, so if you have a daily average mileage that is within this range then having an electric car conversion kit fitted in your vehicle makes a lot of sense.

Another important aspect regarding the electric car conversion kit is to be familiar with which type of hybrid car model its best suited for having it fitted. Having one for short range travel and fitted to a light weight car would be ideal whereas a pickup van or truck is more suitable for utility purposes. Some of the more advanced electric car conversion kits have also been used in cars that can be used for short races and sportier driving, but these are few and far between.

A typical electric car conversion kit may enable a car to travel at speeds of up to 25 mph with a payload of between two and four passengers and costs less than ten thousand dollars.

The electric car conversion kit should be well designed and manufactured and should include the motor, controllers and battery chargers. Add to this the need to change the batteries every year which will add a further three hundred dollars ($300) to the cost. However, this is still considerably cheaper than costs for gasoline, anti-freezing, hosing, filters, belts, radiator repairs, exhaust system and tune-up of engines that ordinary gas driven cars entail.

At present, there are very few electric vehicles available and so converting the gasoline driven car with the help of an electric car conversion kit is a good choice to make as building your own electric vehicle is a fun-filled experience that is both rewarding and exhilarating and poses a challenge to the user.

Since electric vehicles do not pollute the environment they are a good alternative technology to the gas driven cars. There are a number of factors that need to be considered before settling on one particular electric car conversion kit.

* You may begin with selecting the driving range that you intend to travel with your electric vehicle and select a kit that will best serve your purpose.

* Secondly, there is the need to have proper and adequate set of tools and supplies along with an appropriate amount of free space where to do the conversion.

* Then, you need to be familiar with the components and know how to remove the ICE components and replace them with the electric vehicle components.

* Next, install the motor, components, battery box and batteries and also install the propulsion wiring, auxiliary power system and the traction pack changing system as well as displays and controls.

* Make sure that everything will have been tested before actually putting the electric vehicle in to normal use.

That’s it enjoy the pollution free and cheaper method of transport that is open to you now thanks to your purchase of a electric car conversion kit.

Thanks

Evehicles, E vehicle Technology, electric vehicles from bicycles to Porsches to boats E vehicle Technology, evehicletechnology.com, is the first step in a journey of a thousand miles. My interest in electricity and magnetism goes back to my youth and my interest in active and passive solar and wind technologies goes back to my young adulthood. My schedule coupled with my ongoing interest in electric technologies applied to vehicles, dwellings and ultimately the integration of both has set the wheels in motion. Of course frustrations with our energy policies and the threats of increased fuel prices or decreased supplies has heightened my sense of urgency. Read more: evehicletechnology.wordpress.com

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