Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Electric car conversion: Project ForkenSwift

Heynow999 · 04-04-2008, 08:07 PM

Hi

I have read the whole thread over a few nights, very interesting. I live in Ontario as well and I want what you have built, which is basically a NEV. If I could drive one on the streets here, I would probably just buy a used GEM on ebay and be done with it.

I am wondering if that was your motivation as well?

Have you put any thought into upgrading the batteries in a few years if Lithium batteries become cheaper and more widely available (I guess they would have to be really cheap to fit the "forkenswift model")?

I was thinking of doing a conversion like yours, but making sure that the motor was capable of higher voltage/amps with the idea that I would upgrade the batteries in a few years and have a very capable car. It seems that most parts are easily upgradeable, but the engine might be the hardest.

I am now officially "keeping an eye out" for a donor car. I was thinking a 1990's Mercedes 190E
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_190E_2.3-16
They weight about 2700 lbs but I imagine there is a lot you could do to reduce that weight and it could carry a lot batteries. Also RWD which I believe is a plus.

04-04-2008, 08:07 PM	#625 (permalink)
Heynow999 Peter Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: GTA Posts: 30 My Truck - '96 Dodge RAM 3500 Laramie Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Hi I have read the whole thread over a few nights, very interesting. I live in Ontario as well and I want what you have built, which is basically a NEV. If I could drive one on the streets here, I would probably just buy a used GEM on ebay and be done with it. I am wondering if that was your motivation as well? Have you put any thought into upgrading the batteries in a few years if Lithium batteries become cheaper and more widely available (I guess they would have to be really cheap to fit the "forkenswift model")? I was thinking of doing a conversion like yours, but making sure that the motor was capable of higher voltage/amps with the idea that I would upgrade the batteries in a few years and have a very capable car. It seems that most parts are easily upgradeable, but the engine might be the hardest. I am now officially "keeping an eye out" for a donor car. I was thinking a 1990's Mercedes 190E http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_190E_2.3-16 They weight about 2700 lbs but I imagine there is a lot you could do to reduce that weight and it could carry a lot batteries. Also RWD which I believe is a plus.