Electric VW Bug

[SoobieOut]

Saw this EV bug for sale today. Looks like a good deal, but the range of 25 miles is too low for my commute.

Volkswagen Beetle | ksl.com

[Nerys]

nice. I wonder is that 25 miles to 50% DOD or 100% DOD ?

[Ryland]

They are selling it for about as much as it cost them to build it, $500 controller, $700 motor, $400 for fuse, wiring, pot box and other random parts, $200 for main contactor, adapter plate $350.
to give you 25 miles of range you might have $1,500 to $2,000 in batteries, so at the very most $4,100 in parts outside of buying the car... there are lots of VW's out there that need engines because someone was restoring one an moved or ran out of money.

[Nerys]

oh there is no questions its a SPLENDID deal. if it were closer and if I had the cash I would be all over it. I want an electric car so bad it hurts.

[Cobb]

23 mile commute to possible new and my former job. No place to plug in, but its not like I havent talked to anyone about it.

[Ryland]

Originally Posted by Nerys

nice. I wonder is that 25 miles to 50% DOD or 100% DOD ?

Other people are getting 20 mile range with 6 Optama yellow top batteries in a VW bug so I would guess that the 25 mile range is 100% DOD, so they are killing the batteries, if they are using the largest sealed batteries that they could get then maybe 25 miles is reasonable, less then $1,800 in batteries, flooded golf cart batteries would give more range... maybe 40 miles and cost around $1,400 but take up a bit more space.
Lithium batteries would cost twice as much and last 5 to 10 times as long for the same labeled capacity but they handle the high discharge better and weigh less so your real life range is greater, might be getting close to 40-50 miles.
Trouble that I see is that the Altrax controller they used is undersized so the car is going to feel gutless off the line.

[Cobb]

Dont worry too much Nery, you will see this for sale again in 6 months with the phrase, "Needs new batteries".