Electric motors come in two basic flavors. Without going into great detail, there are alternating current (AC) motors and direct current (DC) motors. Both types are used in electric cars. Electric cars made by large vehicle manufacturers usually come with AC motors. These usually produce more power for their size and they are generally lighter than DC motors. On the other hand, they are also a lot more expensive and much more complicated for the DIY enthusiast to install. This is the reason most of us prefer the DC motor when tackling a conversion project.
Locating the right DC motor for an electric car conversion project is pretty easy if you know what to look for. First, DC electric car motors are almost always categorized by their diameter. It probably goes without saying, but larger diameter motors are capable of generating more horsepower, however, larger motors also use more energy and require more batteries or more frequent charging. It is generally accepted that an electric car conversion is most successful using a 9 to 13 inch motor.
You can expect that this size motor will have a range of between 150 and 200 miles between charges and will travel at top speeds approaching 55 miles per hour. A DC motor in this 9 to thirteen inch size range will also work well with deep cycle batteries which we’ve found to be the best choice for DIY conversions. Electric car motor installation is easy to do and pretty much fail safe as long as you follow the instructions. You should probably have a helper for this step because the motor weighs around 150 pounds.
You can get new electric car motors online for between $1,000 and $5,000 depending on the size, but we don’t recommend it. A used motor that has been reconditioned will outlast any car you put it in and these are available locally for a fraction of what a new one will cost. They’ve actually been known to outlive 2 cars in some situations. Since it is no less reliable, and requires the same effort to install, why not save the money? If you look around locally a bit, you’ll find these cheap, reliable motors are available in ample supply.
An experienced guide and a good set of plans starts to become extremely valuable here. You do have to know where to look and what to look for to achieve the greatest cost savings on the project. A proper instruction manual will provide you with priceless information on where to find your parts very cheap - and in some cases even free.
A full conversion can usually be completed for under $500 - and that’s including the batteries. Find out more about electric car motors here.
Over the past few years, the automobile industry has seen a rise in the popularity of electric cars. This is largely due to greater awareness of the environmental issues caused by cars and emphasis on how we should all be trying to reduce the impact cars have on the environment.
In the past, electric cars were perceived as inferior to traditional cars in terms of performance and style. This is changing slightly now with companies such as Tesla bringing out more modern styled, high performance electric cars. The Tesla Roadster sports car was released in July 2007 and has seen sales steadily grow as electric cars become more popular as attitudes change and the drivers become more environmentally conscious.
The performance of electric cars, in terms of speed and miles per charge has always attracted negative reviews. However, perceptions are changing thanks to cars like the Tesla Roadster which can drive for 244 miles on a single charge of battery and can reach 0-60 in 3.9 seconds.
This performance has helped to reposition electric cars as a more realistic option for many motorists around the world, with consumers now warming to the idea of more environmentally friendly motoring. Gas and fuel prices now mean that we could all save a considerable amount of money if we switched to an electric car.
The United States of America as well as the United Arab Emirates has seen an increase in the volume of electric cars on their roads and we will probably see the same here in the UK. Tesla has a partnership deal with Lotus which results in the building of the cars in the UK. This could be great for the UK economy.
Electric cars are becoming increasingly stylish and when you combine this with the fact that you could considerably help the environment by cutting down massively on your CO2 emissions, means that we should all consider electric cars as the cars of the future.
Buying electric car kits is really a personal choice, about which people have different views. It is an ideal option for those who would like to save money on gas and help save the world at the same time. Still, they’re not your best option. Here’s why.
If you spend $50 a week on gas, you’re pouring $2,400 a year into your fuel tank. The cheapest electric car kit you can find will cost you about that much money. You’ll still need to pay for batteries and racks which are costly in themselves. And you’ll end up with a car that goes about 40 mph with a limited range. Practical only for local commutes.
If you want to use a kit to convert your car into something usable on longer drives, it will run you closer to $10,000. So, it will take you 4 years for your gas savings to pay back the investment. But there is a cheaper way to get an even more powerful electric car - get a guide to converting your car yourself, instead of getting the pre-made kit.
Guides are designed as step-by-step instructions that are easy to follow. Don’t worry if you are not a mechanic by nature. No specialized or expensive tools are needed either. Conversion guides have been around for several years. And thousands of people have successfully converted their cars using them.
You’ll be doing essentially the same conversion you would with electric car kits, except that the best guides show you sources for getting the most expensive parts (the motor and batteries) for low or no cost. And the guides allow you to save the cost you’d pay to have someone in a warehouse assemble the parts for you.
The savings can be substantial. The same conversion that would cost you $10,000 through a kit distributor can be done with a guide for $300-$500 and free parts. And because you’ll be using used or refurbished parts, the carbon debt will already have been paid by the previous user.
The verdict: Electric car conversions are finally practical and big cost savers. In fact, if you drive every day, they can often pay for themselves in 90 days as long as you use a guide instead of springing for the pre-made electric car kits.
America has always been a place of innovation, imagination and hard work. The professionals who sell Scotts Valley Real Estate know this, and also realize that electric cars are quickly becoming a wonderful form of transportation. If you’re interested in learning more about the cars available today, continue reading.
One of the most media focused electric cars available in the United States today is of course the Tesla Roadster. As a real estate broker selling Scotts Valley Real estate, this is a car that interests me, though not as a work car. This classic sports car can go from 0-60 miles per hour in a very respectable 3.9 seconds, and can top out at a speed of 125 miles. The interior can feature satellite radio, Bluetooth Connectivity, and leather interior. Even the wheels are built for performance with forged Tesla wheels and performance tires.
However, just like any electric car, the real marvel is in the power sources. The Tesla Roadster battery consists of a microprocessor-controlled lithium ion battery pack that can provide over 100,000 miles during its lifetime. That, along with the 248 horsepower motor makes this vehicle extremely desirable as an electric sports car.
If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, especially for those interested in Capitola condos, you might want to think about obtaining an Apetera vehicle when they become available. Priced between twenty thousand and forty thousand dollars, they are designed to function in the same conditions as traditional gasoline vehicles. They are designed with all the bells and whistles that you find on other vehicles including air conditioning. The solar cells used to capture usable energy to aid in one of the most efficient climate controls in the vehicles today. While these cars are expected to go nationwide, at the time of this article they are available to California residents only. However, once the company overcomes some of their logistical challenges, the customer service and cars that Californians have come to expect will be available to a much larger region.
While the Tesla Roadster and Apetera cars are great for trips and replacing the gasoline guzzlers in your life, sometimes you need something a bit smaller. If you just want something to run to the corner store or buzz around the neighborhood, consider a Global Electric Motorcars. The GEM E2 is a two passenger vehicle that is perfect for those short trips that you make on a daily basis. It has a standard 12 volt flooded electrolyte batteries, and can go up to 35 miles on just one charge. That way, on those rainy days when the bike isn’t looking too appealing, you can still go to the corner market without thumbing your nose at the environment.
These are just a few of the electric cars available today in California and across the country. Like anything else, the prices vary between models, and features. However, with a little bit of research and a test drive or two, you’ll find the one that is right for both you and your budget. While selling Scotts Valley Real Estate from a hot roadster would appeal to some, only one passenger can come along at one time, so that is limiting. The four seaters will be something I’ll look into when they go into production.
