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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Electric Vehicle Kits: Build Your Own Electric Car

By Mia Copperhead

With rising fuel costs, more and more individuals and are searching for alternatives. One such alternative that is getting popularity, particularly using the do-it yourself kinds, are the electric vehicle kits. Anyone knowledgeable about automobiles can currently use these kits to convert traditional gas powered vehicles to one powered by electric current.

However, converting a traditional Gas powered vehicle into an electric vehicle can be an extremely daunting task. Only those who are the extremely mechanically minded should try this. To convert the vehicle will need extensive modifications to nearly all-mechanical parts of the car.

Can any automobile be converted into an electric vehicle?

Unfortunately, the answer is no. Only a few cars can be converted into an electric vehicle. However, and the most typical electric vehicle kit seems to be the Chevy S-10 pick up kit. For illustrations to follow, just conduct a search online for Chevy S-10 pickup Electric conversions. Other cars which are great candidates for conversion are the Chevy Geo, especially from 1989 to 1999.

Are there disadvantages to using an electric vehicle kit?

Going back a few years, several people associated electric powered vehicles with slowness along with a lack of power. But as usual, on account of technology, substantial advances in the electric vehicle have modified all of that. With these electric vehicle kits, some cars can reach top speeds of between 70 and 75 mph nonetheless, converting to electric power still has its drawbacks.

The biggest drawback it is needless to say the need for recharging the batteries. As an instance, the Chevy Geo Metro kit should be recharged every 20 to 40 miles, according to driving habits and battery quality. For city driving, this would be perfect. Nevertheless, for long commutes on the highway, this wouldn't be ideal.

The Chevy S-10 with an electric vehicle kit installed will run a little longer on a single charge. On a single charge, the S-10 should survive around 40 and 60 miles. Again, this relies on the driving habits and also the size and quality of batteries. Several S-10 models can be geared up with solar powered panels which would minimize the need for charging, at the very least when driving during daylight hours.

Converting vehicles with electric vehicle kits is not a low cost matter. Most conversion kits appear to cost in between $8000 to $10,000. And this does not even comprise professional installation as well as the price of the batteries, not forgetting, access to or the purchase of a charging station.

Quite frankly, with the cost involved of utilizing an electric vehicle kit, it most likely would not be very practical for the average consumer, especially if they do a lot of highway driving. Nevertheless, that being said, it most likely would be ideal for a back yard mechanic who likes to tinker with vehicles and has a few bucks to throw around and wants to impress his beer-drinking buddies.

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