Building an Electric Vehicle (EV) With a Kit
If you are looking for a way to save money on your motoring expenses, then one option you may be considering is buying an electric car.
The cost of pure electric cars is quite high however, but did you know almost any vehicle can be converted from conventional fuel to electric.
It is possible for you to undertake this project at home if you have basic mechanical knowledge, and some tools.
There are two options, you can either buy a kit or get some plans.
Read on to find out which option is the right choice for you.
Kit contains everything you need: If you decide to buy a kit one advantage is that it will provide everything you need.
Most kit suppliers will provide help on the telephone, or on-line, if you get lost.
You may even be able to have someone complete the conversion for you.
Getting better all the time: As more people take up the challenge more knowledge is amassed, because of this the kits are getting better all the time.
You may even be able to get one tailor-made for the donor vehicle you are converting.
Can be expensive: This help and ease of construction comes at a price however, as a result these kits are not cheap.
They will still work out cheaper than buying a factory produced electric vehicle, but if you factor in your time and effort they may start to seem less desirable.
Get some plans: For the budget conscious home converter there are many great plans available.
These may not come with the same support, and you will have to source all the materials, but the cost of the plans will be minimal.
Many will still have online help, especially if you find them online in the first place, plus you may find forums dedicated to electric car converters, where many like-minded enthusiasts will be only too pleased to offer advice.
Scavenge batteries: The great thing about building your own from plans is that you will be able to pick up cheap or free batteries for your project.
Many of the plans available will give you tips on where to find these, and how to recondition them when you get them home.
As batteries are one of the big expenses during your conversion this will save you a lot.
Find cheap motors: The motor you will use is a series wound DC motor, as these kinds of motor have many commercial uses other than vehicles, it is possible to pick up scrap ones for very little, or reconditioned ones for a bit more.
Again good plans will tell you where to look.
these motors are very strong and last for ages so used versions are not a risky option.
The choice you make will depend on your level of technical ability, and your budget.
Building an electric vehicle with a kit may be the easiest option, but using plans can give you a finished product for a minimal cost.
Whatever route you choose you will end up with a car you can be proud of, that is cheap to run, and will save the planet too.
The cost of pure electric cars is quite high however, but did you know almost any vehicle can be converted from conventional fuel to electric.
It is possible for you to undertake this project at home if you have basic mechanical knowledge, and some tools.
There are two options, you can either buy a kit or get some plans.
Read on to find out which option is the right choice for you.
Kit contains everything you need: If you decide to buy a kit one advantage is that it will provide everything you need.
Most kit suppliers will provide help on the telephone, or on-line, if you get lost.
You may even be able to have someone complete the conversion for you.
Getting better all the time: As more people take up the challenge more knowledge is amassed, because of this the kits are getting better all the time.
You may even be able to get one tailor-made for the donor vehicle you are converting.
Can be expensive: This help and ease of construction comes at a price however, as a result these kits are not cheap.
They will still work out cheaper than buying a factory produced electric vehicle, but if you factor in your time and effort they may start to seem less desirable.
Get some plans: For the budget conscious home converter there are many great plans available.
These may not come with the same support, and you will have to source all the materials, but the cost of the plans will be minimal.
Many will still have online help, especially if you find them online in the first place, plus you may find forums dedicated to electric car converters, where many like-minded enthusiasts will be only too pleased to offer advice.
Scavenge batteries: The great thing about building your own from plans is that you will be able to pick up cheap or free batteries for your project.
Many of the plans available will give you tips on where to find these, and how to recondition them when you get them home.
As batteries are one of the big expenses during your conversion this will save you a lot.
Find cheap motors: The motor you will use is a series wound DC motor, as these kinds of motor have many commercial uses other than vehicles, it is possible to pick up scrap ones for very little, or reconditioned ones for a bit more.
Again good plans will tell you where to look.
these motors are very strong and last for ages so used versions are not a risky option.
The choice you make will depend on your level of technical ability, and your budget.
Building an electric vehicle with a kit may be the easiest option, but using plans can give you a finished product for a minimal cost.
Whatever route you choose you will end up with a car you can be proud of, that is cheap to run, and will save the planet too.
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