Revolutionizing Your Commute EV Conversion Tips for Gas Car Owners width

EV Conversion Kits USA

If youre interested in converting your car (or other vehicle) into one that can run off electricity, youve certainly come to the right place.

We get a lot of questions about this, so weve put this short article together in order to answer 9 of your most frequently asked questions on the subject.

Lets get straight to it!

How much does an EV conversion cost?

Ok, were going to level with you here EV conversion does come at a price. Youre looking at spending at least about $6,000 in parts, not to mention the $1,000 to $3,000 for batteries and installation.

However, some EV conversion kits can cost between $20,000 and $30,000. So, it pays to shop around.

The reason it costs so much is because you have to remove the entire internal combustion engine from the said vehicle, install an electric motor in its place, and add a large bank of batteries to boot.

Sure, its expensive, but if you care about the environment and climate change, and you love your car too much to sell it on, then its certainly worth considering converting it to an EV. It works out far cheaper than buying yourself a new EV car outright.

You could save an average of $1800 per year in fuel costs. And youll certainly ramp up the cars resale value. Its an investment rather than a cost.

What is the best car to convert to electric?

We would argue that the best cars to convert to electric are as follows: the Post-Bugeye Austin-Healey Sprite (1962-71), the MG Midget (1962-79), the Dodge Charger (1996-67), the Fiat X1/9 (1972-82), the Bertone X1/9 (1982-89), the Chevrolet Corvair (1965-69), and the Ford Mustang II Mach 1 (1974-78).

In terms of which brands of car have already done well at converting to electric, we like the Porsche 924 EV, the Mazda Miata EV, the Chevy S-10, the Triumph Spitfire, and the Volkswagen Bus.

There are very many cars that convert well to electric, but there are some that convert better than others. And we completely see and understand why someone would rather convert their beloved classic car to electric rather than buy a brand-new EV.

Everyone has their style and their taste, and even cars from the 1960s can be brought properly into the 21st century, and converted to electric-powered ones that run without chugging out toxic gases.

What is needed for EV conversion?

EV conversion requires, of course, a new electric motor, but it also requires a myriad of other components besides, including the engine, fuel tank, starter, radiator, muffler, and exhaust.

Basically, you have to remove everything related to the gasoline internal combustion system and replace all of these components with their electric equivalent. These components will include a motor, a traction battery, an on-board charger, and an EPCU (electric power control unit).

All of these items are essential, and the car wont work without them. But well be the first to tell you, retrofitting can be tricky.

Unless you consider yourself sufficiently qualified, we would recommend that you do not attempt to convert your car to EV yourself, even if you already have all the necessary items. Leave it to the professionals. They know what they are doing.

A single wrong move could spark a safety issue. So, yes, though it is expensive, you should hire a professional to install your EV conversion kit for you.

What would happen if everyone switched to electric cars?

According to Nationalinterest.org, if everyone were to switch over from gasoline cars to electric cars, total carbon dioxide emissions across the entire USA would fall by as much as 14%.

Thats quite significant if you ask us, and would make a real difference, having the kind of impact on slowing down climate change that would be hard to compete with.

However, its important to note at this point that there would also be an increase in carbon emissions instigated by the electric power stations, which would come to about 2% of the USAs total national emissions.

These figures are given assuming the current combination of fossil and renewable energy sources remains the same.

But its worth noting at this point that some of the studies on this subject often present different results, so it is hard to put exact figures to things, and hard to know what figures are truly to be believed.

Are electric cars cheap to maintain?

We would argue that electric cars are much easier and much cheaper to maintain than their gasoline powered counterparts. You dont have to worry about maintaining the engine, you never have to change the oil, and there are fewer parts to wear down for replacement.

You can make some significant maintenance savings in the long term.

And do you know how long an electric car battery will last? At the moment, EV manufacturers have a 5 to 8-year warranty on their electric car batteries. But the most recent prediction is that an electric car battery will last from 10 20 years before they need to be replaced.

Thats not to say theres no maintenance required. There will be some. Especially if you plan on keeping the car a long time and make a lot for journeys, bringing up the mileage and use.

They are also cheaper to run, thanks to how much you can save on fuel. If you have a charging station at home, you can expect to save an average of $800 to $1,000 a year on fuelling costs.

Can I convert my classic car to electric?

We are pleased to report that you certainly can convert classic cars to electric. Many people are already doing so, and to great effect. In our earlier question and answer, we listed a number of different classic cars that are great for converting to electric.

You just need to find the right conversion and the right installer for the job.

Electric GT, based in California has developed an electric crate motor, that gives you the possibility of turning any classic car to a newer eco-friendly and electric model.

But theyre not by any means your only option. Zero Labs automotive is also known for their ability to convert any classic car (or vehicle) into an electric model, without losing so much as an ounce of its charm.

Moreover, converting your classic car to electric can help to keep your classic car on the road and out of the museum, or worst-case scenario, the scrapyard.

Can we convert petrol car to electric car?

We are very pleased to report that you can convert a petrol or diesel car into an electric vehicle.

But well be the first to admit, it does take some work, and it comes at a cost.

You will basically need to get the car retrofitted. That will involve stripping out all of the hardware related to the internal combustion system, such as the engine, the fuel tank, the starter, the radiator, the muffler, and the exhaust.

Then once these are moved you will have to have these parts replaced by their electric counterpart. You will need a motor, a traction battery, an on-board charger, and an EPCU (electric power control unit).

Youre looking at spending at least about $6,000 in parts, not to mention the $1,000 to $3,000 for batteries and installation. But, just to give you the heads up, some EV conversion kits cost as much as $20,000 to $30,000.

So our advice to you is to go for it, have a browse online, pull up some quotes, and really shop around for the best price.

Are electric cars faster than petrol?

Electric cars are notoriously fast. They can generate huge amounts of torque without having to rev their motors, and this means that they can sprint off the line and accelerate much faster than their gas-powered counterparts.

For example, the Tesla Model X SUV can go from zero to 60 mph in just 2.7 seconds.

The top speed of an electric car comes in at a whopping 210.2 miles per hour. This speed was achieved by the Genovation GXE.

Can we convert petrol cars to hybrid?

The short answer is, Yes, it is possible to convert a petrol-powered car to a hybrid, but it will require a lot of changes.

There are 3 ways of converting a petrol-powered car to a hybrid, but they all require the same basic components. These include a DC motor, a motor controller, a battery, and a throttle.

You can convert it to a series hybrid vehicle whereby the engine is used to run the generator to charge the battery.

Or you can convert it to a parallel hybrid vehicle, in which the engine and the DC motor are used to drive the vehicle.

Or, lastly, you can convert it to a series-parallel hybrid vehicle, which is kind of a combination of the two. This way, you can drive on the engine and at the same time, the battery will charge via the generator.

How Much Does It Cost To Convert A Vehicle To Electric In 2022

In an age where the world tries to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to save the climate, electric vehicle conversions have seen a gradual rise. It is also no secret that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently pronounced stricter vehicle emissions regulations, limiting the use of diesel-powered vehicles in specific locations.

With these pressing environmental crusades and stipulations surrounding diesel-fuel vehicles, an EV conversion is the most feasible solution for automobiles to thrive in the future.

The idea of electronic vehicle (EV) conversion appears to be relatively new in the public consciousness. This is why theres been a lot of skepticism regarding its reliability in recent years. Some people have questions about it. Others also wonder whether its road legal in specific geographic locations.

In this article, you will learn how EV conversion works, how much an EV conversion costs, and the process involved in converting an EV.

Why Convert To Electric Vehicles?

Electric cars are automatic vehicles that are powered through electric motors, using rechargeable lithium-ion batteries like your smartphone or laptop. Since electric cars are rechargeable, they are plugged into external electric power sources, just like our everyday devices.

A champion in fuel efficiency, EV conversion has become a substantial step in sustainable transportation. Electric vehicles are considered a cleaner alternative than their conventional counterparts, as they emit a lower carbon footprint.

Not only does it benefit the environment, but EV conversion is also a proven solution to reduce operating expenses for vehicle owners. This is especially true in the United States, as diesel-fuel cars cost 10 cents per mile, whereas electric cars only cost approximately 3 cents per mile. Imagine if you start using an electric car today in ten years, you will save an approximate total of $6,320 over its diesel-powered counterpart.

Plus, buying a brand new electric car will cost you big bucks. So, converting your regular car is a much more practical option that also allows you to retain its sentimental value.

However, its important to note that while you will save a lot in the succeeding years compared to owning a diesel-powered vehicle, electric vehicle (EV) conversion requires significant upfront capital.

What Is Electric Vehicle Conversion?

An electric vehicle conversion is an innovative process of replacing a car's combustion engine and drivetrain components with an electric motor and large bank of batteries. As a result, it creates an all-encompassing electric vehicle, minus the power of fuel emissions.

As promising as it sounds, understanding the process and objective of electronic conversion is imperative before starting an EV project. With this, you have a clearer idea of what results to expect.

What Is The Electric Vehicle Conversion Process?

Converting your diesel-fuel vehicle into electric is a complex process that requires expert knowledge and hands-on expertise in mechanical, electrical, and automotive engineering. Here is a simplified breakdown of what you can expect during an EV conversion process.

Identifying The Right Vehicle

The conversion process starts with choosing the right car to convert. The prospective car has to be powered by petrol or diesel to be qualified.

Extracting And Substituting The Drivetrain

Heres where the actual process of conversion starts think of this as an operation where the organs are extracted and replaced with new ones. In the case of EV conversion, the fuel tank, the engine, the gearbox, the starter, as well as other intricate related hardware are like the organs that are subsequently extracted.

Once unloaded, the removed parts are replaced with new drivetrain components, such as the electric motor and a set of batteries. This essentially gives your car a new life!

Choosing The Appropriate Power Type/Source

The DC unit is the most common option for replacement, but an AC system can also be a viable option. In terms of motor sizes, this will largely depend on your car's weight and size, but preference for performance can also be a factor.

Choosing The Appropriate Battery

The battery pack, of course, will drive the motor. Lead-acid batteries are the standard option for installation, though they tend to have a small operating range on a charge. Lithium cells are also an option with a much more impressive range, not to mention they are smaller and lighter.

The number of batteries needed, however, depends on the size of your vehicle. Bigger batteries, by default, occupy bigger spaces to fit.

Configuring Power And Charging System

To control the energy flow between the battery and the motor, wirings, and other intricate components, a reliable charging system is needed to power up the batteries through an electric circuit. To get the most out of the EV conversion, you need to operate your car's air conditioner, heater, and power steering systems by adding additional hardware. You also have to take note that this may come with an extra cost for installation.

Assessing

Once your car has been converted, the automotive engineer or specialist will then assess your vehicle's performance and safety before giving the go signal for your wheels to hit the road.

What Affects Electric Vehicle (EV) Conversion Price?

A brand new electric car can cost you around $32,900 to $50,990 as the standard market price. While a brand new car can be an excellent deal, converting your current car can save money significantly, as the standard conversion cost is only around $15,000 to $20,000. However, this depends on the type of car you own and your preferred range.

Truth be told, there is no definitive and standard cost for an EV conversion, as every car and preference are unique. Apart from the labor, other factors affect the conversion cost, such as the price of batteries, body design, and technological capacities. To help you calculate the estimated total expenses, here are the factors that affect conversion costs:

Car Design

Your cars original design and aesthetic preferences are the first factors that affect the conversion cost. Elaborate design components will impact your cars weight heavier vehicles require more electrical energy to get them to speed. This simply means that you need bigger batteries to replenish extra electric power.

The design intricacy and age of your car will also have an impact on the cost calculation. Most older cars have a simpler design, which means lower installation expenses.

Batteries

The batteries are the primary component that differentiates electric cars from diesel-fuel vehicles. This is also the most expensive part of EV conversion. The cost of batteries depends on two variables: the power required and your range preference. The higher the range, the more power it requires, and, the more expensive it gets.

Charger

Knowing the voltage of your battery is crucial when choosing a charger for an EV conversion. You need to identify the maximum and minimum voltage of your battery pack, and your chargers voltage range needs to correspond with the battery capacity as well. Chargers that can support a higher voltage range will naturally cost you a considerable amount of money.

Electric Motor Or Engine

Your electric motor depends on the power, voltage, and manufacturer of your battery pack. If the engine has a power output of 14kW and an operating voltage of 100V, it will cost you around $800 to $1,000. If the motor has a power output of 200kW and higher, the cost can go up to $3,200 or more.

Controller

If you purchase an electric motor, chances are controllers can be bought as a motor combo. Not only can you benefit from discounts, but motor and controller combos are also typically configured to one another. This saves you from additional expenses and guesswork. Multiple brands such as Curtis sell motor-controller combinations with user-friendly functionalities in case you need to navigate settings.

While the price of controllers varies by motor and supplier, the cheapest one will cost you around $1,000, and the pricey options can go as high as $10,000. We recommend you consult your EV automotive engineer first for practical alternatives.

EV Conversion Cost Overview

So, how much does an EV conversion cost? Below is a breakdown of how different factors can affect your total price tag. Please note that overall costs still vary as you still need to pay for any miscellaneous costs and the costs of your preferred additions.

Frequently Asked Questions About EV Conversion

Here is a quick summary table of the most common questions people ask about electric vehicle (EV) conversion:

What vehicles are ideal for EV conversion and why?

The ideal vehicles for an EV conversion are cars with enough space for batteries and heavier drivetrain components, so you can enjoy a higher range and more options.

How long does it take to convert my car?

Since the labor for EV conversion has tons of moving parts and configurations, the approximate timeline to fully convert your regular car to electric is 3 to 6 months

Is it possible to convert any car into electric?

Yes, as long as it is still in great condition.

Once EV conversion is done, is it possible to revert my electric car back to its original diesel-powered form?

Yes, but it defeats the purpose of conversion and would cost you more money.

Will it be legal to drive an electric conversion car?

Yes, as long as it is registered and authorized by the U.S. Department of Motor Vehicles and Alternative Fuels on Data Center. Your automotive specialist can provide you with a definitive process and tips on what you need to do in the first 30 days of your newly converted vehicle.

Is it recommended to do the EV conversion yourself?

It is not recommended, as some specific reconfiguration requires expertise and authorization. This also prevents you from experiencing issues with your electric car in the future.

Final Thoughts

An electric vehicle (EV) conversion project has tons of moving parts that require time and budget to succeed. If you're looking to convert your vehicle into a high-performing electric car, expect to spend more on batteries and other drivetrain components.

While the process can be confusing, don't forget to consult with your automotive specialist for a clear timeline of completion. If you have any questions or want to know how far an electric vehicle can go, check out our article here.

Also Read:

How Long Until An Electric Car Pays For Itself

How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Battery In An Electric Car

Do Electric Vehicles Use Oil?