Understanding Electric Vehicle Conversions
The process of converting a traditional vehicle into an electric car requires abundant time, energy, and mechanical knowledge. The first step in an electric vehicle conversion is disconnecting the gas tank and sorting through the hundreds of wires within a typical car. Once these relics of a gas-powered vehicle are removed, converters must remove the engine and add an electric motor. The electric motor is powered by a set of lead-acid batteries that replace the standard car battery. Converts must use controllers to manage battery output as well as energy collection from regenerative braking. After other elements of an EV conversion kit are installed, car owners have to reconnect wires to power everything from air conditioning to power windows. This brief synopsis may not sound difficult to EV fans, but most kit providers encourage their customers to seek out professional help.
Benefits Of Electric Vehicle Conversions
The primary benefit of an electric vehicle conversion is the glacial pace of EV releases on the global market. Car owners looking for all-electrics and hybrids have limited choices among the major automakers. The electric vehicle conversion process may take hundreds of hours to complete, but the conversion finishes before a majority of EVs hit the market. Your family can hit the road in a converted station wagon, sedan, or minivan powered by electricity before EVs are commercially viable.
Electric vehicle conversions allow drivers to save time, thanks to rechargeable batteries. Most EV conversion kits allow batteries to recharge using 110-volt outlets common in garages and homes. These batteries can recharge through the night, allowing a driver to hit the road without stopping at the local gas station. Converted EV drivers also save money by powering their vehicles with electricity rather than a wildly fluctuating commodity like gasoline.
An electric vehicle conversion also acts as a statement about an individual’s stance on politics and environmental protection. Drivers interested in decreasing oil exports from politically unstable areas like Asia and South America can accomplish this goal with electric vehicle conversions. An electric vehicle does not produce noxious emissions and eliminates noise pollution created by a traditional vehicle. Your hard work during the electric vehicle conversion will show neighbors and friends your commitment to these political and environmental stances.
Target Markets For Electric Vehicle Conversions
EV conversion kits attract a wide spectrum of consumers interested in emissions-free travel. Commuters tired of spending money on gasoline during their daily travelers can opt for converted EVs. The limited range of a converted EV means that commuters traveling 10 to 25 miles each way are ideal consumers for these kits. Residents of senior citizen communities, gated neighborhoods, and small cities can run their errands without setting foot in a gas station with converted EVs. Car collectors and mechanics can also use electric vehicle conversions to breathe life into rundown vehicles. These vehicle enthusiasts are predisposed to spend hours repairing and maintaining vehicles, eliminating concerns about the amount of time needed for EV conversions. Successful EV conversions demonstrate a mechanic’s prowess while creating a source of supplementary income in the emerging EV market.
Wilderness Electric Vehicles©
Wilderness Electric Vehicles© (http://www.e-volks.com/) is a Utah-based provider of EV conversion kits and accessories. Wilderness provides the hardware, electric motor, and accessories for electric vehicle conversions, but does not include batteries. The company specializes in converting vehicles prior to the 1995 model year when engine computers were standard in most vehicles. Customers working through Wilderness Electric Vehicles© choose from four conversion kits of varying prices and power levels.
The 48-volt EV conversion kit is priced at $2,280 and allows the converted vehicle to reach 40 miles per hour. Wilderness Electric Vehicles© offers a 72-volt conversion kit priced at $2,995 with a maximum speed of 55 miles per hour. The company’s 120-volt conversion kit can achieve speeds in excess of 65 miles per hour and costs $4,645. Car collectors with antique and exotic models can use the 144-volt EV conversion kit priced at $5,620.
KTA Services Inc. ©
KTA Services Inc.© (http://www.kta-ev.com/) has assisted drivers with electric vehicle conversions and maintenance since 1984. The AC conversion kit offered by KTA Services Inc.© contains a General Electric© circuit breaker and 96-volt battery capable of producing 50 horsepower. The company’s DC conversion kit can produce 28.5 horsepower of continuous power and 100 horsepower in peak power. The DC kit features an Airpax circuit breaker and handles batteries between 108 volts and 144 volts.
Each kit is equipped with adaptor plates, motor shafts, and accessories needed to complete the conversion. KTA Services Inc.© also includes hardware for vacuum systems, cabin heating, and gauges to successfully turn gas-powered vehicles into EVs. The EV conversion services offered by KTA Services Inc. © extend beyond their AC and DC kits. The company sells used parts and individual components to EV owners performing maintenance and repairs.
Electro Automotive©
Electro Automotive© (http://www.electroauto.com/) claims that it is the oldest EV supplier with AC and DC kits sold since 1979. Visitors to the Electro Automotive© website can check out the Which Kit is Right for Me? section to make informed decisions. Electro Automotive© hosts EV conversion workshops and tutorials throughout the year to help novices find their way. The company offers DC and AC kits that contain everything needed to turn traditional cars into electric vehicles.
The DC kit is designed for manual cars and light trucks between 1,800 and 3,000 pounds. Electro Automotive© claims that the DC kit can make light vehicles travel between 80 to 100 miles per charge at speeds up to 100 miles per hour. The company’s AC kit is designed for vehicles up to 3,500 pounds and voltage capacities between 144 and 336 volts. A converted EV using the AC kit can reach 90 miles per hour and travel about 50 miles before the batteries need to be recharged.
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