Ev crx
 

Honda CRX

http://images.craigslist.org/00n0n_k...Tu_600x450.jpg

Clean CRX, looks like a pretty nice conversion. Definitely needs more info though.

20 mile range... wow, that sucks.

Yeah. And those batteries might be the explanation. They seem like big lead acid batteries, no? Heavy, bulky, and not much energy storage.

This looks much like most home/DIY conversions done since the 70s. A 20 mile range works for many people, but yes with the advance of liPo batteries things are changing.
I for one am only aiming for a 40 mile range in my conversion because I rarely drive more than 30 miles a week, with the occasional 30 mile day.

It would be very easy to rip out those lead acid batteries and throw in some lithium cells. Get a new charger (or possibly reprogram the existing one), add a BMS if thats your fancy, and you could have 100 miles of range or more.

And a new motor that has more than 10 hp?

A 10hp motor can push a LOT more than 10hp through it, it just can't do it continuously. That motor would probably have no problem putting out 100hp until you hit the speed limit.

I wonder how efficient this pairing of an electric motor with the stock transmission is relative to systems designed specifically to be electric. Is there much of a difference? Does this little car lose some of its possible range to an inefficient transmission pairing?

That is a complex question, but almost guaranteed the transmission helps efficiency. It certainly helps acceleration. DC series wound motors like that operate at higher efficiencies based on rpm/amp load. Also, batteries like lower amp draw (as do the electronics), so you can keep rpms higher and treat them nicer which will extend range as well as battery life.