Anyone ever tried to convert an Escort to electric?

[mamodbasher]

Hi group. Well, for better or worse, I have aquired a 95 Ford Escort in decent condition very cheap. Looks as if it may even pass a safety pretty much as-is. I realize that these are a bit heavy (1100 kg) but it has all of the other necessary bits, especially the manual transmission. It's a hatch-back model, so thought that that area might make a good spot for the batteries?

This may turn into a long-term conversion, as Phyllis (my wife) has taken to the car and wants to drive it until we are ready for the "transplant", but we will see as it goes. I thought that in keeping with the "ForkenSwift" theme, I might call it a "ForkEscort" or maybe "Electrescort".

Any comments, suggestions, etc would be helpful - thanks! Ken.

[Ryland]

If you keep an eye out on eBay they come up every once in a while, not sure what the company was that was converting them but there are 100's of them out there.

[robbiewt]

The Washington D.C. EV club has a conversion guide on there website. In that example they use a 1986 Escort.

EVA/DC - Build an EV

[mamodbasher]

Wow that's great information on the Escort guys - much appreciated! I will try to keep a running log on my progress (as long as I can pry it out of my wife's hands). Regards, Ken.

[bennelson]

A manual transmission Escort makes a fine conversion.

I have seen one at the Fox Valley Electric Automobile Association Meetings.

I believe that in the book SOLO: LIFE WITH AN ELECTRIC CAR, the electric car of the title was an older converted Escort.

I thought SOLO was a pretty good book. Worth a read from the library at least.