Dirt cheap HIGHWAY capable EV?

[bennelson]

Originally Posted by Cd

Anyone can build a 'dirt cheap' EV if they are lucky enough to find the parts for 'dirt cheap'.

I don't think any of the three "Cheap EV's" we have been talking about have too much "luck" on them.

It's more a matter of priorities. If you are willing to buy used parts, look for good deals on things, and do it a little different, ANYONE could follow this pattern and build a basic, inexpensive, electric vehicle.

If you want to buy all new parts, through full retail price dealers, you will have a much more expensive project. That said, it will almost certainly have MUCH higher performance!

Most EV "kits" cost $8000 on up to sky's the limit!

To get a good idea of what EV projects CAN cost, please browse the EV Album.

I was VERY turned off at how expensive EV conversions typically are. I did NOT want to spend the equivelant of a very nice used car to make a limited use vehicle. Instead, I spend the same amount of money as a basic economy car to build a basic economy car that doesn't use any gas!

I know a guy whose CHARGER cost as much money as MY ENTIRE PROJECT. His is a very nice conversion, with good power, speed, and range, but far out of my budget!

Getting an inexpensive CONTROLLER is what really could make it possible to have an inexpensive/high-speed EV.

I will be following Paul's Cheap Controller thread closely!

[Cd]

Metro : I didn't want to come off as disrespectful.
I'm just jealous.

[Christ]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Three dirt cheap EV's (4, actually, if you count the $800 Yugo that inspired the ForkenSwift) kind of suggests it's not just about luck.

Fixed. :P

The "selling your old crap to finance the new crap" idea is not lost on me... I'm actually hoping I can get a jump on it, b/c of the car that I happen to be using for my potential EV conversion.

I basically plan on selling almost all of my Honda parts to finance the build of the CR-X.

What I'm really hoping for is at least a 50/50 car, ideally.

50MPH/50Mile range...

This is probably a poke and hope dream, but maybe by the time I get around to being able to do it all, the market will bear a much better price on certain (more expensive) components.