[Christ]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Ohh, interesting question.

I was just joking about overspending. But I bet there would have been ways to cut down.

Looking at the ForkenSwift's cost list:

EG:

-$160 we really didn't need to spend the latest $160 on used batteries. The previous ones were delivering about 15-20 km comfortably. But the chance to buy up a relatively youthful pack (~2 years old!) doesn't come up often, and it increased range to 25-30 km comfortably in warm weather.

-$39.78 Could have done a zero cost ammeter.

-$25.00 Could have done a cheaper home made LED batt pack gauge, let's say half price

-$172.44 Could have skipped the cosmetic body & paint repairs

-$45.56 Ivan really didn't need to buy the "how to" books he got

So could have lopped $442.78 off the total! For a net of $554.82

$1000 EV is nice. $500 EV is feakin awesome.

I'd be making sure that people understand that your way wasn't as fiscally responsible as it could have been, and pointing out the ways that it could have been better in hindsight.

I only say this because lots of people are attracted to "cheap" DIY, and the cheaper the better. If I knew I could build an EV from junk laying around my Father's house, I'd be more than happy to buy a few little parts here and there, but $1000 just doesn't really make it for me.