Are commercial EV's killing the conversion industry?

[neroden]

It's barely even work to build your own desktop computer these days. I don't like doing the delicate gluing part, so I get the main chip pre-attached to the motherboard... the rest of it is snap-together kit, though, anyone can assemble it.


Very few people want to do the work to make a home conversion; I think the existence of factory EVs certainly reduced the demand. Those who like doing the work will keep doing it. And I suspect that there will be a mini-boom in "kit" conversions for a few years (which will eventually die off).

There will be a year when the masses see the writing on the wall and realize that gasoline cars are obsolete; when gasoline stations are closing fast enough that it's getting hard to refuel gasoline cars. Those who can afford them will buy new electric cars. Many of the remainder will buy used electric cars. This will bid up the price of used electric cars. But at the bottom of the market, there's going to be a market for cheaper options, and I suspect small shops will pop up with conversion kits for the most common chassis still on the road, or the ones with the most emotional attachment. (What *are* the most common chassis, anyway?.... goes to check...)

Ford F-150. If Ford doesn't manage to make an all-electric F-150, I would expect to see a conversion kit appear. Chevy Silverado, ditto.

 

[deonb]

It's barely even work to build your own desktop computer these days. I don't like doing the delicate gluing part, so I get the main chip pre-attached to the motherboard... the rest of it is snap-together kit, though, anyone can assemble it.

Delicate gluing? On a desktop? Ummm....

Exactly how are you attaching your CPUs?

 

[neroden]

Maybe I'm a bit out of date.

...yep, looks like they've simplified the heatsink attachment since the last time I assembled one of these. I tend to pick my specs so they'll be good for *ten years*, so it's been a while...

 

[roblab]

(What *are* the most common chassis, anyway?.... goes to check...)

Ford F-150. If Ford doesn't manage to make an all-electric F-150, I would expect to see a conversion kit appear. Chevy Silverado, ditto.

Which is why Tesla will build an electric pickup. Ford won't be able to build a competing pickup, and won't have the management guts to make that shot in the foot decision.

But I think the reason Ford F-150 is so popular is because it's the cheapest full sized pickup out there. A conversion would increase the base cost many thousand dollars, and when you're done, you still have a used pickup, but with historically electric lower power, lower range, lower utiiity, etc. Tesla pickups will cost more, but, as with Model S, the will BE so much more.

I think the dream of conversions is mainly held by people who do conversions. The rest of us don't want one.

 

[BriansTesla]

Built a couple of electric Beetles a few years ago. They were very nice and practical for an around town car but no one wanted to pay 20K for them. I think conversions will take off when batteries get much better and much cheaper. Then it will make a lot of sense to convert a classic or very unique car. I would build an electric Vanagon Camper but the big box would need some great batteries to get anywhere.

 

[FlatSix911]

or that sweet bmw cs... To Build The Fastest Car on Earth

Very cool 3.0 CS ...

 

[neroden]

Then it will make a lot of sense to convert a classic or very unique car.

I've actually been thinking about the fuelling problem. When gas stations start disappearing and gasoline refineries start closing, owners of historic or classic cars will eventually end up with three choices:
#1 Stop driving the car; stuff and mount it on a plinth in a museum
#2 Maintain an expensive specialist supply chain for the fuel
#3 Convert it to electric drive

This won't happen in 10 years or 20, but in 30 years, #3 is likely to be the most attractive option.

 

[wycolo]

Is there a small 2wd pickup with independent rear? That would be an excellent (QED) candidate for a Spark EV system.
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[Saghost]

Is there a small 2wd pickup with independent rear? That would be an excellent (QED) candidate for a Spark EV system.
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The only ones I know of with independent rear suspension are the CUV based ones like the Honda Ridgeline. Those are generally FWD if they aren't AWD, though. I don't think there are any RWD pickups with IRS.

Of course, there's no reason you couldn't start with the AWD version and not connect the front drive axles if RWD is what you really wanted (though I'd be more inclined to do it Tesla style - put a Spark power package on each axle and then come up with a battery that can feed them both and twin/spoof the required inputs.)

 

[nifa]

I have a Camry 2014. would like to convert it to Electric.
How to calculate the size of a motor and size of Li-ion batteries. Range 100 Miles. The car will be for a normal Hwy driving.

 

[jerjozwik]

I have a Camry 2014. would like to convert it to Electric.
How to calculate the size of a motor and size of Li-ion batteries. Range 100 Miles. The car will be for a normal Hwy driving.

EV Information - DIY Electric Car Forums

 

[swaltner]

That previous link is a good start. It really depends upon how much performance you want out of the vehicle after the conversion.

Larger battery pack size tends to yield higher performance because the battery is able to produce more current. As a guess, to get 100 miles of range, you would likely need a 30 kWh battery pack.