thinking about building an ev!!

[sweatbrah]

so basically i am looking to build an EV.. now i know the lighter is better but i think it would fun project to make a EV truck like an old tacoma, nissan, or jeep comanche. For range i think 40 miles would be just perfect. i probably only go about 20 miles round trip a day.... i dont really need to go on the freeway but it would be nice to reach that speed or at least just 55 would be great too. I also would like to have solar panels on the truck bed ( yes i know it wont charge it completely but just a tad bit while it sits outside when i am at school all day).....i am also curious about a generator to charge my batteries on the account i live in an apartment and so i cant always use the outlet in the back all the time... well thanks guys for the listen i am excited to hear your guys comments and hopefully give me some knowledge about this

[MetroMPG]

Mid size & compact trucks have been done before - so you're OK there. In fact, if you're building for a 40 mile range, you pretty much HAVE to build a pickup truck to hold the batteries! (Assuming you're going to use golf cart batts, which most people do.)

Step one, if you haven't done it yet, is to head over to the EV Album to see what others have built that interests you. Most people lay out what components they use and how much they cost: EV Photo Album: Our Electric Cars on the Web

[cfg83]

sweatbrah -

I'd love to see a Jeep Comanche EV conversion.

CarloSW2

[sweatbrah]

Originally Posted by cfg83

sweatbrah -

I'd love to see a Jeep Comanche EV conversion.

CarloSW2

yeah i always wanted a comanche but never found a good reason to buy one yet... i will probably go with a comanche simply because i am a jeep guy and i feel like i would be cheating on my wrangler hahaha.. plus i know more about the comanche then the other trucks. I am still trying to figure out what motor and setup will work best... any suggestions?

[Doofus McFancypants]

i have been considering an EV Trick as well
I was thinking of getting a fullsized truck ( as they are SUPER cheap now)
and parting out as much as i can to fund the conversion...


Issues are Weight of the truck will requior alot of batteries to move - which weighs alot and hurts performance of the EV.

It can be done - maybe some compromizes in speed or distance - but it is totally do-able.

I say go for it. just make sure you find the "most solid" base truck you can find.

Steve

[Christopher Jordan]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

EV Photo Album: Our Electric Cars on the Web

What a find! I haven't seen so many City-ELs in one place! Even mine was there before I stole, uh- bought it! THANKS!

[Clev]

The biggest issue with a full-size is probably frontal area (drag) rather than weight. People have done S-10, Ranger and Tacoma conversions successfully, and an F150 would probably have more room under the bed and cab if you wanted to hide the batteries. I don't know of any Comanche conversions, so you might have to have the adapter plate custom-made.

[sweatbrah]

Originally Posted by Clev

The biggest issue with a full-size is probably frontal area (drag) rather than weight. People have done S-10, Ranger and Tacoma conversions successfully, and an F150 would probably have more room under the bed and cab if you wanted to hide the batteries. I don't know of any Comanche conversions, so you might have to have the adapter plate custom-made.

yeah i am still trying to figure out a configurations... also still trying to figure out what type of motor and how many batteries and all the other stuff.. also i am thinking about a diesel generator for longer trips that can be mounted in the bed of the truck or maybe under the hood... also just curious what would one big or 2 medium size fan ,turbine step up inside the grill> what kind of energy can that produce? like to run your lights or something? well if anyone has a solid setup just post it for me.. i am new to all this so its a biig learning experience but loving it