EV Conversion Part 1
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
EV Conversion Part 1
In 2008, I bought an old Geo Metro for $1 for the purpose of converting it to an all electric car. I calculated it would have a 40 mile range and only cost me $3000 in parts. It would be the perfect commuter car, requiring only $0.67 cents in electric fuel to get me back and forth to work each day.
Unfortunately, my enthusiasm for the project faded when we moved to another house out of the range of the car's design.
Although I never finished the EV conversion, here is a time-lapse video of me in 2008 gutting a Geo Metro in anticipation to making it electric.
Fast Forward 3 years:
My desire for an Electric Vehicle was rekindled by the announcement of the Nissan Leaf. But after nearly a year sitting on the waiting list, I opted to roll my own, again.
I have read that the an electric vehicle will have greater range if it can carry more batteries. It makes sense. More fuel = more range.
A Geo Metro has a light frame but has little room for extra weight. A pickup truck is relatively lightweight but has a stronger frame that can handle additional battery weight.
In June 2011, I acquired a 1992 Toyota Pickup Truck. Although the mileage was high, it was in good cosmetic condition.
The beauty of an EV conversion is you don't have to know much about engines or how to reassemble one. With the expertise of my 8-year old assistant, we start removing parts one bolt at a time.
Don't worry, he's just resting.
We ripped out all the “unnecessary” parts. The internal combustion engine, radiator, gas tank and the exhaust system.
This lightened the truck weight by 500 lbs and freed up a lot of room in the engine compartment for an electric motor and batteries.