How likely are you to convert your car to Electric?

[cfz2882]

mounting conversion motor-

-to a manual transmission/transaxle will be decently easy if you can fabricate the adaptor plate and shaft coupling - or if those parts are made by someone.-would have been easy for the two small,old skool European cars mentioned I don't recall if those cars had vacume assist power brakes,but if needed a vac pump and reserve tank could be added.

 

[bradfordwhite]

#30

Thanks for that Brendan, hadn't thought of the brakes, power steering, alternator, and AC issues.  

 

Not sure how that would be affected.  Not even sure if I have power brakes or steering.  Gotta have AC though. And not sure how to do the alternator for the miscl battery.  

 

They say manual tranm. cars are easier and will ultimately be more efficient.  Mine is manual.  Apparently transmissions aren't even needed in an electric car so..... I don't know if that means I could/should remove that.   

 

 

 

[cfz2882]

AC can be done

DC powered AC is avalible these days-BLDC hermetic compressor:12,24,36v etc,no alternator needed-a DC-DC converter is used to keep the accessories batt up-golf cart parts.

 

[bradfordwhite]

How quickly my concerns for one issue are resolved ( the mating of the motor and transmission) and new concerns arise.

 

Figuring out the power steering, power brakes, AC, and alternator situation.

 

A copy of my vehicle

 

 

 

[bradfordwhite]

"DC powered AC is available these days-BLDC hermetic compressor"

 

It sounds like I'd have to take the car to a shop and have the current compressor evacuated, removed, and have the new compressor installed and charged.   

 

That would make sense.

 

And no alternator needed.  That makes sense too.

 

 

 

[bradfordwhite]

Electric power steering should mean.... not a big deal.

 

Probably shouldn't have to do anything because that's most likely powered off the current battery.

 

 

 

[henene4]

Gas vs electric prices

I mean, it's cheaper to run electric than gas over here.

I don't know Californias gas prices, but it's a very simple calculation, at least in Germany.

I can drive my Polo at about 6l for 100km if I drive efficiently.
A liter of gas is about 1,60€.
So, about 9,60€.

A similar electric car uses about 15-20kWh per 100km.
At the current, state capped power price of 0,40€ per kWh, that's 6-8€.

With ratings in miles to the galon and so forth, it's a bit more difficult.

The average fuel consumption of 2021 vehicles was about 26 miles per gal according to the EPA.
So let's make it 30.
So, lets say 3,3gal per 100mil.

A Hyundai Ioniq 5, one of the fastest charging, but not most efficient car, get somewhere around 3,5 miles per kWh.
So, something like 30kWh per 100 miles.

AAA says average California gas prices are 4,87$ per gal.
That's 16$ and change for 100 milles.

Census data says something like 26 cents per kWh for California, let's say 30.
That's 10$ per 100 miles.

Or the other way around: If gas prices stay consistent, a kWh could cost up to 53 cents and you would stay price equivalent or cheaper with an electric car.

And I don't know how US electric rates work exactly, but over here, once you have a contract, that is limited to one year and for that year, prices are fixed.

So you know exactly how much fueling up costs for the next year.

No timing when and where to go to a gas station and still be playing a bit of roulette with prices.

 

[volvoman]

Truthfully? Never.

I get that the government (both local and national) wants to put an end to pollution. But the fact of the matter, is that the technology is not ready for prime time yet.

Don't get me wrong; Mrs. Volvoman and I have casually talked about replacing one of the ICEs...one day. However, we road trip. A lot. Especially during the summer and early/late fall, where we pack up our son, and head down to the Carolinas. Between us, we've got an Altima, a Passat, and an XC70. The Passat usually wins, as we can drive it close to 600 miles before needing to refuel (yes...we're THAT family; we bring a cooler full of food, and only stop if absolutely necessary). Factoring in a bathroom stop (which we use also for fuel), and we can do the drive in about 9 hours.

The only electric cars that we know of - with that kind of range - are the Tesla Model S and the Lucid Air. As we can't afford either, it's a non-starter. Other EVs simply wouldn't work for our lifestyle.

 

[lakewebsterkid]

None

I have an older Camry Hybrid and love it. It honestly fits the bill perfectly. I have driven it to Florida numerous times and it is fairly easy to get 600 miles per tank and average 38 mpg with multiple people and our things. It is very comfortable, has decent power, and drives great.
However, after adding a 4Runner to the fleet, I don't see myself converting any time soon.

 

[askolover]

Nope. My 01 Beetle would be perfect but I'm happy with the diesel engine. Here, Diesel is only 40 cents more than regular gas is but I can go twice as far. 700-800 miles on a tank. When I retire and no longer commute...possibly might buy an EV but will ALWAYS have some kind of ICE vehicle in the fleet.

 

[statomatic]

Never

I wash my laundry in vintage machines, I drive vintage cars, these will never be converted...