How can I convert my existing car to a hybrid vehicle?

Question

I was told by a friend that it was possible to convert my car to a hybrid electric/gas vehicle for about $3K.

Answer 1

To convert to a hybrid, you will need to make major changes to the vehicle, that will most likely cost quite a bit more than the $3000 figure that you mention.

It may be that your friend was referring to conversion to a flexible fuel vehicle, that can run on E-85 or gasoline. That can be done for about the amount that you list!

Answer 2

Uh, NO. First, the material alone for a system that will last more than 5 years would cost WELL over $3000, then once you have all this stuff which is now no longer under warranty, you have to find room for a battery the size of a suitcase, an inverter/controller the size of a schoolbag, you have to cool these two, you have to find a place to put the electric motor and connect it to the wheels, then you have to integrate the whole system for example so that the car doesn't go into a spin when the electric motor regenerates while you are braking in a curve. Oh yes, then there is the matter of finding a vacuum source for the power brakes and a hydraulic source for the steering when the engine is off in full-hybrid mode...

This is a hard enough task for manufacturers who employ large numbers of highly-qualified people who spend YEARS working on these questions.

Look, nothing is impossible, but some things just don't make sense and this is one of them. Buy a used Prius or convert your car to run on natural gas - this could in fact be done for $3000 or less. It would significantly reduce CO2 emissions and can save some real money in the future.

Answer 3

Your friend doesn't know what he's talking about. Right now there are NO kits to convert a auto to a Hybrid. There are some kits you can get to convert certain cars to full electric, but they cost more than 3 grand. To do what your saying would require the removal of the engine and the installation of a electric motor, a smaller gasoline engine and a HV battery pack, in the same space where your engine sits now. It could be done, form perhaps a wrecked hybrid, but it would cost 10s of thousands. More than a new hybrid. the fords are going for about 22K after rebates.

Answer 4

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Yes, you can do this!
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Okay, this is a tough one, and this is not how I would prefer to do it, but here's how to do a hybrid conversion for only $3000:
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The fellow at this website sells electric car conversion kits for $1500 to $2500. His kits are based on surplus aircraft starter motors. You won't get a great electric car, but it will work:
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http://www.e-volks.com/about.html3.html
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Next, to turn your electric vehicle into a hybrid, go down to your local Home Depot, and buy a generator for $500 to $1500. Use the generator to charge the batteries.
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What you will wind up with is a 'serial hybrid'. Unlike the much more complicated parallel hybrids which are on the road now, you don't have to connect both the gas drive and the electric drive to the same wheels. Instead, the gas engine is only linked electrically through a generator (this is how diesel trains are powered.)
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Unless you buy a very big one, most portable generators will not generate enough electricity to drive on gas power alone. Your car will charge overnight from grid electricity, and you will use the gas generator to extend your driving range.
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Note that you will also have to spend a few hundred to buy golf-cart type batteries, so save some budget for that. You will also need a battery charger - these can be expensive, but I have seen some home-brew type chargers that can be made for under $100.
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A better EV conversion would probably cost closer to $10,000 and up. There are some useful links on this page:
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http://www.squidoo.com/cheap-electric-car/
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Answer 5

If the car is fwd the rear hubs can be changed and add hub motors, but you will need to leave your engine idling while driving in electric. If somebody invents hub motors that will generate while turning and not under power (freeway driving) range can be extended. A university has patented a rear hub and motor kit to convert, but it is a booster, not a true hybrid and is not yet available.

Answer 6

Trade it in on a real hybrid.