Intro and request for conversion possibilities
 

I've been wanting an electric or hybrid car for a long time. The reality is I just don't have time or the tools to do the project myself.

I might have an opportunity right now, though. I have a manual transmission early 2000's Toyota Echo with over 230k miles on it that is burning oil. I think it likely won't pass emissions next time, and either way, the engine is obviously on its way out. Perhaps this would be a good excuse to convert it to an electric.

I still don't have time to do it myself. Is there someone in the greater Portland, OR metro area that would be interested in being hired to take on such a project? How much would such a conversion be expected to cost? I'd want it to have a range of at least 40 miles (much of that highway). We have a lot of hills around here, so regen breaking would be nice.

And a second thing... is it practical to get a plugin hybrid 10+ passenger van? Anyone nearby me that might be up to that task? I would need it to be hybrid so it can be our primary family car and go 1000's of miles on vacations.

If these questions belong in a certain subforum, let me know (or move it for me)

Thanks!

Welcome to Ecomodder!

I can't answer your questions, partly because I live across the country:) there has to be someone out there, as "green" as Portland is.

Have you considered finding a wrecked Prius and swapping the components over?

Hybrids these days are cheap. Insights and 1st gen Prius can be had for a few thousand dollars if you're patient and wait. A used 2nd gen Prius or Civic can be had for as little as 4-5k.

EVs aren't horribly much more. The Mitsubishi I-MiEV can be had for $8k used and it has an EPA rated 62 mile range.

Both of these options are cheaper than a good conversion. They also take a ton less time and work, and are OEM quality. Its hard to justify a DIY conversion these days IMO.

Thank you for that great info. I'll look into those options. That doesn't solve a major issue I have right now: what about a solution for a 10+ passenger van? Is there any solution for that? The standard passenger vans that size seem to get about 15 mpg. It would be nice to get something much better, if possible.

Blame it on the NHTSA for not being able to get one of these mid-size forward-control Asian vans such as the Kia Pregio.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jCIkLTeo7J...-dianteiro.jpg
This one, specificly, has seating for 11 passengers plus driver.

Anyway, if you wouldn't want to follow the Diesel route, the closest-to-OEM approach might be fitting the guts of a Silverado hybrid into a Chevy Express. Too bad FCA didn't brought a passenger-van version of the ProMaster, its FWD layout is good for efficiency due to the lighter driveline and also nice due to the lower boarding height.