Your original conversion estimate sounds about right.
I was shocked at how expensive it can be to convert to electric.
It's enough money that a person could buy a pretty nice used economy car for the same price as conversion.
There are a number of people here working on some form or another of an electric conversion. Of course a lot of us are doing it homebrew/used parts, etc because of the D-I-Y attitude as much as cost savings.
Your original estimate sounded like you would have a really nice finished vehicle.
If you haven't already, try locating a local chapter of the Electric Auto Association.
http://www.eaaev.org/ All those people are very nice and very passionate about electric vehicles.