In the automotive industry, there is a lot of talk about electric vehicles. Green is the trend right now. While the demand for electric vehicles has been on the rise, there is a limited supply of new and used electric vehicles. A popular option is to convert a car to an electric one.
Many engineers and car enthusiasts have successfully converted a used gasoline-powered car into an electric car, and you can rest assured that there are many tuning kits and parts on the market that are specifically designed for many specific car models.
How do you convert a car to an electric car? Learn the steps to convert your car to an electric car here, with a list of the best used car models for different needs.
Can you convert a car into an electric car? –standard
A guide to converting a car to an electric car? Gas or diesel cars use an internal combustion engine to generate electricity, while electric vehicles use battery power. The rest of these cars are basically the same, so in general, any vehicle can be converted to an electric car.
Any car can be converted to an electric car. (Image source: Eco Standard)
However, there are cars that will make this conversion easier and more optimized. What are the criteria that make a car a better option for tuning?
Light
The lighter the vehicle, the less energy the battery is used to move it. Light-duty vehicles mean greater energy efficiency. It also allows the battery of the modified EV to have a longer “range”, i.e., the battery needs to be charged less frequently, which better guarantees longer battery life.
Battery space
The largest component of an electric car is the battery pack or, so the ideal modified car must have a lot of space. The battery must be well protected from heat, which can negatively affect the chemical reactions that take place inside the battery.
As a result, batteries are usually located in the cargo hold or under the seat to maintain good coverage.
Battery packs take up most of the space in electric vehicles. (Image source: electricarttrade)
Rugged construction
The battery pack is not only bulky, but also heavy. A modified electric car will weigh a few hundred pounds more than a car equipped with a gasoline engine, transmission, and a full tank of fuel.
With this extra weight, the car used for modification must have a sturdy chassis design and sufficient spring capacity to support this load and withstand the vibrations and forces caused by the movement of the car.
The chassis is the basic frame or structure of a car. It can consist of just the frame, or it can include wheels and transmissions, and sometimes even car seats.
A car in good condition
When you buy a used car, it’s best to have it inspected by a technician first. While you don’t have to worry about the engine, a used car for conversion must have essential components in good condition, including brakes, steering, and suspension.
Manual transmission
Cars equipped with manual transmissions are usually chosen for modification because they allow you to keep the gears and axles in place.
Unlike a gas engine, an electric motor can provide 100% of the power immediately and continuously, so it doesn’t require the multi-gear found in a regular vehicle.
How much does it cost to convert a car into an electric car?
How do you convert a car to an electric car? According to automotive experts, the cost of converting a car to an electric car ranges from $8,000 to $12,000, not including the cost of a “donated” car. Battery packs for EVs alone typically cost thousands of dollars.
The battery is the most expensive component required for conversion. (Image source: Automotive)
In exchange for this upfront cost, you can expect to save more money when running an electric vehicle. Since electric vehicles have fewer moving parts than gasoline-powered vehicles, EVs are not subject to daily wear and tear and breakdown, eliminating the need for regular oil changes and gasket changes and more scheduled maintenance.
A Guide to Converting Cars to Electric Cars: Best Compact and Budget-Friendly Cars
Meeting all of the above criteria, the most popular options for converting a car to an electric car are these subcompact cars:
- Chevrolet Aveo
- Geography Metro
- Honda Civic
The Honda Civic is one of the most affordable and popular options. (Image source: driving)
The best pickup trucks
If you need more space and a compact car isn’t your cup of tea, you can choose from these small two-wheel drive pickup trucks:
- Chevrolet S10
- Ford Ranger
- Toyota trucks
- Nissan Hardware
The Ford Ranger is an affordable converted pickup truck. (Image source: Extreme Speed)
A Guide to Converting Cars to Electric Cars: The Best High-Budget Cars
Green cars are the future of automobiles. However, embracing the future doesn’t mean you have to forget the past. Possessing a classic model, but what about the “green engine” inside?
If you have a bigger budget, you can choose these classic models to turn them into beautiful EVs:
- Porsche 911
- Porsche 924
- Porsche 929
- Volkswagen Beetle
- Volkswagen Golf
- Ford Mustang
- Victory Spitfire
- Triumph GT6
- Mazda Meta
- Toyota MR2
- Fiat 124 Spider
Volkswagen’s electric e-Beetle. (Image source: AutoExpress)
The Volkswagen Beetle is indeed very popular and can be converted to electric vehicles. The electric modification of the classic Beetle was offered by numerous aftermarket companies, and Volkswagen finally decided to get involved. Volkswagen’s e-Beetle has 81 horsepower and a top speed of 93 mph.
The range is estimated at 124 miles, which means that the electric Beetle needs to be recharged every 124 miles. It also has DC fast charging, which charges about 75% in an hour.
Converting a car to an electric car – steps
How do you convert a car to an electric car? After you’ve done all your research and decided on the model you want to convert, the steps to convert your car to an electric car are pretty straightforward.
- Remove the parts of the old internal combustion engine. These include the engine, fuel tank, muffler, exhaust, starter, and radiator.
- Prepare the bracket for the motor and replace the old engine with an electric motor. The size of the motor depends on the space available in the car and your preference for power.
- The electric motor is powered by a battery pack. Prepare the bracket for the battery pack and place the battery pack in the car. Lithium batteries are the best option. The number of batteries used also depends on the available space.
- Install the power controller in the car. A power controller is required to regulate the power flow between the battery pack and the motor.
- Add other necessary hardware, including a charging system to charge the battery and many other pieces of hardware that run the car’s air conditioning, heating, and steering systems.
- Add wiring to connect everything together.
- Charge the battery and your modified electric car is ready.
- Before you hit the road in a new car, make sure you have registered it according to your state’s laws.
How do you convert a car to an electric car? In addition to the battery pack and motor, you’ll need a lot of hardware. (Image source: BMW)
Converting a car to an electric vehicle, rather than buying a new one, will give you more options to have a custom car that fits your needs and preferences perfectly. Now that you know how to convert your car into an electric car, use our handy maintenance tips to make sure your modified EV can travel for miles.
