TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Converting an ICE to an EV

Discussion in 'Electric Conversions' started by ThosEM, Nov 27, 2017.

  1. Michael Falcon

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    Messages:
    7
    Location:
    Ukraine
  2. daniel

    daniel Active Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    4,731
    Location:
    Kihei, HI
    The White Zombie is so cool. And remember, it was around when hardly anybody knew anything about electric cars.

    How about the rocket car in Rat Race?
     
  3. Michael Falcon

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2018
    Messages:
    7
    Location:
    Ukraine
    Partially something like that. But with bigger mileage, and a BMW.
     
  4. Sparky 1973

    Sparky 1973 New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2018
    Messages:
    1
    Location:
    Hawaii
    Hows this for a choice...
    Hows this for a choice?
    IMG_3110.JPG
     
    • Like x 1
  5. Brando

    Brando Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Messages:
    2,841
    Location:
    Bainbridge Island, WA
    www.evwest.com has kits, you add batteries - a project
     
  6. Brando

    Brando Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Messages:
    2,841
    Location:
    Bainbridge Island, WA
    Jaguar E-TYPE Zero Electric - Jaguar Classics | Jaguar
    and the price is ?? I suspect $200,000 plus [reminder: you need to supply E-type Jag so Jag can convert]
     
  7. Brando

    Brando Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Messages:
    2,841
    Location:
    Bainbridge Island, WA
    much closer to 2 decades - 2038 or so. ~100,000,000 ICE being made EACH YEAR. EV have yet to reach 1 million.
     
  8. wdolson

    wdolson Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2015
    Messages:
    7,416
    Location:
    Clark Co, WA
    I had a 1992 Buick Roadmaster before getting my Model S. The two cars have the same wheelbase and are close to the same width and the Buick is body on frame. I have thought it would be cool to drop a Roadmaster body on a Tesla skateboard. I loved the seats in that car.
     
  9. Brando

    Brando Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Messages:
    2,841
    Location:
    Bainbridge Island, WA
    Considering how slowly legacy auto makers are taking up EVs OR is it just how long it takes to build battery factories?
    [that might be changing - a lot of talk - we shall see who actually steps up to follow Tesla lead]
    There MIGHT BE room for a small conversion cottage industry. Just city cars ~100 mile ranges?

    Bosch has many drive trains [IF they'd sell them cheap one at a time or in pallet quantities for conversion shops]
    eAxle

    I still think ~300,000 diesel cars collected up by VW in the US?
    what is happening to them? anyone know??

    many battery options here are:
    Fullriver LiFePO4 32700 3.2V 5400mAh Rechargeable Batteries
    - this one is NOT good for vehicles but OK for power walls.

    google search: LiFePO4 batteries
     
  10. Permag

    Permag Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2018
    Messages:
    35
    Location:
    CT.
    Hello. Saw this thread and thought some of you may like to see what we did with a P85D rear drive unit... 20190306_133515.jpg
     
  11. Permag

    Permag Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2018
    Messages:
    35
    Location:
    CT.
    Better shot of the drive unit 20190115_124050.jpg
     
  12. MacsEV

    MacsEV Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2019
    Messages:
    12
    Location:
    Meaford, ON
    In addition to my 2019 MS I have a 1929 Model A Ford Roadster. Fully restored 98% original. It is a summer time toy that is so much fun to drive. I get about 5,000 miles a year on it. But.. Eventually I will no longer be able to tour with it.. Range is only about 75 miles and soon enough, the number of gas stations will diminish or gas will be so expensive that I will not be able to drive it.. I actually look forward to that day.. So, I am looking for a way to convert it to an EV.. Perhaps thru electronics and software, I may be able to preserve that old car put and the aoogah horn. If anyone can point me in that direction, I would be very appreciative. The old car deserves to live on.. but not in a museum Marvin&Family.jpg
     
  13. daniel

    daniel Active Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    4,731
    Location:
    Kihei, HI
    You want an EV with about 100 miles range? Nissan Leaf. You cannot DIY a conversion that can compete for cost:quality with the Leaf. Or for just a little more than the cheapest Leaf you can get a Base Model 3. The Leaf killed the home DIY conversion business. Your link to eAxle claims their drive train is "cost attractive" but doesn't mention a price, which is a dead give-away that it's not.

    Yes, legacy automakers are reluctant to embrace EV (except Nissan) but who needs them? I'll tell you a secret: <whispering> Tesla. <end whispering> No home shop in the world can make a car as nice as a Tesla for less than ten times the price.

    Now that would be a conversion project worth doing! A classic car like that deserves an electric drive train! (But don't worry: You'll be able to buy gasoline for a few more years yet. The human race is strongly committed to burning every last drop of oil, no matter the cost to the environment, so gas will be available until it's all gone, and that's a decade or two away.)
     
    • Informative x 1
  14. idoco

    idoco Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2013
    Messages:
    548
    Location:
    Outside Philly
    • Informative x 1
  15. MacsEV

    MacsEV Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2019
    Messages:
    12
    Location:
    Meaford, ON
    thanks.. I have lots to learn. I love that ! And.. lucky for me I am off the clock so have time to learn and plan and think it thru. it’s not likely a practical project but it will be fun. it took me 4 years, 15 years ago, to restore the original car so I am no stranger to long term projects.
     
    • Informative x 1
  16. Permag

    Permag Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2018
    Messages:
    35
    Location:
    CT.
    Ev conversions just got a LOT cheaper. One of the biggest hurdles was the motor and inverter assembly. The are open source controllers now for many toyota hybrid inverters which allow them to operate most 3phase motors. Additionally he has an open source inverter kit that you can build from a BOM inexpensively. Check out www.evbmw.com. Second hand batteries are always an option for the DIY guy, but there are many affordable lithium options from dozens of Chinese companies. The trick with ev conversions is doing it safely. The tesla drives now have an open source controller available.
     
    • Informative x 1
  17. ThosEM

    ThosEM Space Weatherman

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2013
    Messages:
    869
    Location:
    Annapolis, MD
    True dat. UNLESS we are talking about a convertible or a roadster. There aren't enough old Tesla Roadsters around, or maybe there are?
     
  18. daniel

    daniel Active Member

    Joined:
    May 7, 2009
    Messages:
    4,731
    Location:
    Kihei, HI
    Mine was on the market for a year! Nobody's willing to pay what that car is worth. What you really mean is that there are not enough Roadsters being offered for the ridiculously low prices that people are willing to pay.
     
    • Informative x 1
  19. kodachrome

    kodachrome New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2019
    Messages:
    1
    Location:
    New Zealand
    On this topic, anyone got any ideas how to drive a traditional drive shaft with a Tesla (small front or rear) drive unit? I've seen the Audi S5 Tesla pictures but they havent provided any specifics. Im guessing the open diff built into the unit prohibits just plumbing it all in as it would just spin the "disconnected" side 100%?
     
  20. Brando

    Brando Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 27, 2016
    Messages:
    2,841
    Location:
    Bainbridge Island, WA
    Sorry, I was wrong in above (previous post) LiFePO4 are another Li chemistry battery.
    BYD uses - in Buses and storage to compete with Tesla PowerPacks
    EVwest.com uses in many of their conversions

    Li chemistry continue to slowly improve - many think solid state the ultimate solution - time will tell.
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC