Build Your Own Electric Car

Learning how to build your own electric car is not really that difficult of a project. We did our own conversion of a 1995 Toyota Corolla in about 2 weeks at a cost of only a few hundred dollars. How did we do it? It really turned into a family project after it began, here's how you can do it too.

What will you need to get started?

· Detailed plans on how to build your own electric car
· You can use any vehicle- gas, diesel
· A garage, shop or barn is nice, but not necessary
· Simple tools every home workshop has- wrenches, drills etc.

First off you will need a large DC motor (9 inches or larger) and a source of batteries. Note that AC motors can be used as well but they are a bit more expensive so we went with DC. They are easier to install too.

You can, of course buy all these parts brand new but this is the heaviest cost of the whole project so we suggest using the sources of free DC motors and free industrial batteries listed in the plans. They're not hard to find either and since a DC motor will run for probably longer than you will own your car, using salvaged motors makes sense.

Your car will rust out from under you before the motor gives up. We wanted to keep the costs down and figured this was a great way to do it. After obtaining your DC motor and batteries you have to remove your gas engine from your car. Rent a hoist or find a friendly mechanic to lift it out for your. A few bolts and it's free.

Leave the clutch and flywheel assembly and detach the rest. That will leave you room for batteries and DC motor mounting. It is imperative that you only use a standard transmission vehicle for your conversion as automatic transmissions simply won't work.

Don't worry, you won't even have to shift gears in traffic once the conversion is done. It will drive just like an automatic transmission, which is nice. Put it in gear and go. When you stop the engine simply stops too. It doesn't keep idling, requiring clutching like a gas engine. The accelerating ability takes some getting used to as there won't be a vehicle in town that will take you off the line at stop lights. This is no slow golf cart you will be building here.

Learning how to build your own electric car is a lot of fun too. Putting together the controller and motor assembly is not that difficult either. Your new Electric car will be able to go 50 mph and travel up to 200 miles on a single charge too. Pretty amazing.

Did you know that gas prices are expected to reach $7 per gallon next year?

Isn't it time you got started on this project.

Build Your Own Electric Car is the best place to start on your own electric car conversion and learn all there is to know about how to build your own electric car.

Our family began living off the grid in 2001 and we have never looked back. Learning how to build your own electric car will definitely help you save money and the environment too

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Les_J_Oke

By Les J Oke

How to Build Your Own Electric Car and Save Money on Gas

When I heard about one of my friends plans to build his own electric car, I thought it was mad. Surely you would need a fully kitted out auto shop and years of experience to do that? Well I was wrong, it seems that anyone can convert their car to electric thanks to a handy guide that I have discovered. I had never thought about converting a car to run on electricity, but it seems that not only is it quite starightforward, but there are also hjuge savings to be made on fule costs. I was intrigued enough to buy the guide and get to work. Now, both my wife and I drive electric cars all thanks to that step-by-step guide.

I am really excited about our electric vehicles, and so are a lot of our neighbours They see the money I am saving on gas - and boy do I ever let them know - and the fact that my car just purrs past them up the street making no noise and not giving off any fumes. Some of my neighbors are in the process of converting their vehicle to run on electricity as I write this.

How Do I Get Started?

Well, first you need a good space to work, a garage or driveway will be just fine

This is very important - get a good guide.

A set of basic tools that you probably already own in any case; Drill, Wrench, Screwdriver, that sort of stuff

A willing helper - its not a lightweight job

And of course, a car to convert.

Some cars, like small compacts , are better suited than others, but most cars, and i have even seen trucks converted using these methods, can be converted.

After you've selected the car to convert your major purchase will be an AC or DC Motor. If you want a charge of 100-200 miles, which lasts me around a weeks commuting, you will need to approximately 20 batteries. Worry not though, for the guide shows you how to get lots of batteries for free!

Lastly, relax, each time you do a conversion, it will get easier. The first time I did one, it took me about 3 days, but now I can do one in under a day. And if I can do it, believe me, anyone can. Heck, I might even open a local shop in town to do these conversions for people!

Since Gas Prices are on a steady rise, Don't you think it is time to do something? This Website will teach you how to save money, the environment, and you will learn all there is to know about how to make your own electric car.

Imagine having to never spend another dime on gasoline again. You can convert a car to electric this weekend.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dave_Simpson

By Dave Simpson