My husband and I (and my in-laws) are wanting to buy an electric vehicle or convert our vehicle into an EV. We have found a person (who wants to remain anonymous) in Dallas who will convert our vehicle for $20K. He claims he can get us 100+ MPH and charge in 3.5 hours with a range of 450-500 miles per charge. He runs another business making electric bicycles and golf cart sort of stuff. He says he has been doing this for 25 years and has just finished several racing cars to be EVs. He uses a hydrogen-cadmium battery. Anyways, what kind of questions should I ask so I know if I am getting a good deal?
2006-08-01 09:34:05 · 8 answers · asked by Allie V 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Danger! Danger! I've been into electric vehicles for 20 years - and I drive an EV myself - and I've never heard of a "hydrogen-cadmium" battery. If your 'anonymous' person had the ability to create the kind of performance in an EV that he claims, he would not be 'anonymous'. He would be wealthy and well-advertised - or at least be well-known in the EV community. Run away!
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For real EV conversions, look at these websites:
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http://www.grassrootsev.com/convert.htm
http://www.leftcoastconversions.com/index.php
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6063682615
http://labshelf.com/electric-car-conversion.html
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You'll see that the performance is much less than what your friend claims. Better performing EVs are close - the next couple of years (for example, http://www.teslamotors.com ) - but the best technology will not be available for conversions until some of the existing patents expire.
2006-08-02 02:15:41 · answer #1 · answered by apeweek 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know, 450-500 mile range on a 3.5 hour charge? Sounds pretty dubious. I am always skeptical of people who claim they can out-engineer Honda or Toyota. Lots of companies have invested millions in R&D on EVs, and as of yet none of them have been able to provide the performance, range, and cost of conventional internal combustion engines. If they had, it would be all over the news, and yes, I know I am baiting all the conspiracy nuts out there who will claim the government is assasinating all these great inventors with their 100-mpg carbs, cars that run on water, and other such nonsense. In the field of EV research, there is a saying: "Electric cars - fast, far, cheap. Choose any two".
2006-08-01 09:49:37 · answer #2 · answered by Harry 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
1980-1996 Ford F-a hundred and fifty. The coil sprung front axle (Dana 40 4 based) on the F-a hundred and fifty is greater advantageous than the leaf sprung F-250 Dana 50 axle that's perplexing to discover particular factors for while broken. additionally, circumvent the E4OD and AODE transmissions. 1981-1990's Toyota pickups are a especially solid 4x4 yet are small and underpowered for some projects, particularly towing or hauling interior the smallish mattress. 1980-1996 Ford Bronco handbook transmission or AOD (no longer AOD-E). i'm biased in the direction of Ford in this twelve months variety, they made the all around suitable vehicles of those years, lifelike gasoline economic gadget, severe reliability, inexpensive factors + basic to repair, greater mattress than imports, and lots of o.e.m factors in case you opt to customise it. in case you want extra area interior then the sidestep Ramcharger is comparable to the Bronco with extra area and comparable reliability yet definitely adverse gasoline economic gadget (anticipate 9MPG vs the 12-15 with a F-a hundred and fifty/Bronco) it is likewise possible to be waiting to discover a 1988-1994 F-350 with the 7.3 IDI diesel (besides the actuality that I hardly see them around $3000) that gets 19MPG. It won't remember if diesel gasoline is greater costly, once you get 20% greater MPG out of it you finally end up paying much less for gasoline. Diesels could be costly to repair however, so be careful of that.
2016-10-01 08:50:33 · answer #3 · answered by Erika 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What about driving in rainy weather and such? Floods, etc? What kind of voltage, and where am I not allowed to touch on the car?
2006-08-01 09:55:27 · answer #4 · answered by Silverstang 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Speak with the people he has done work for to find out if they are happy long term.
2006-08-01 09:37:53 · answer #5 · answered by Mike Hunt 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What happens when the power goes out.
2006-08-01 09:37:08 · answer #6 · answered by The Foosaaaah 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
find out many miles you do before charging
2006-08-01 09:48:02 · answer #7 · answered by Rat Eyes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How much the batteries cost, and how long do they last.
Batteries don't last forever.
2006-08-01 12:29:02 · answer #8 · answered by kayef57 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋