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Well the way I see it is I can do is cheaply so its not a costly mistake whether it works or not. assuming I can get a cheap enough electric motor the entire project should be around $500. I spend that in gasoline in less than 5 weeks.
Second. It will be quite fun. I enjoy tinkering and screwing with things so I am not too concerned about wasted time.
If I gain nothing I am simply out a few dozen hours and max $500 but even then I end up with an electric motor and batteries I can VERY likely use in something else so in reality my only loss would be the $100 or so on the axle and my time installing everything.
SO if it does not work I am out a very modest amount of money and time but gained a lot of knowledge in the process.
But if it works. Well if it works just imagine. Even if I only gain 10mpg thats another 200 miles per tank. 300 miles per month 3600 miles per year or 144 gallons of gasoline saved or $576 saved JUST at todays prices. IE it would pay for itself 100% in less than 1 year and thats if I only gain 10mpg.
I consider that WELL worth the minimal effort and expenditure. Worth it even for the CHANCE of am improvement. In fact I am 99% certain this will succeed presumably on what kind of electric motor I can acquire. Power in is power in. Its simply math. If I am applying significant power from an electrically driven motor to propel my van WILL cause the ICE to use less fuel since it will have less work to do.
I believe this idea of a "power band" is silliness in this regard otherwise how could we gain so much mpg by shifting to neutral and coasting. Clearly "idle" is not its most efficient speed.
Either way its gonna be fun. I really think this is something I can do. I hope I can do it. The only thing holding me up right now is money and finding the appropriate electric motor that I can afford.
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