Electric Car Conversion Kit: Everything You need to Know
Updated: Dec 21, 2022
Before you buy an EV, consider building your own with a conversion kit!
Before the 1990s, electric vehicles were all but extinct. But thanks to government incentives, we’re seeing a resurgence in electric vehicle technology.
Electric cars are great for the environment and for your wallet — there are no emissions or noise pollution, and they're cheaper to maintain than gas-powered vehicles. However, it can be expensive to buy new, so many people convert their existing cars into EVs by installing a conversion kit.
Conversion kits are available in many different flavors and sizes. They can be used to convert almost any model of car or truck into an EV, including popular models like the Honda Civic. Converting your own vehicle can be a fun way to learn about the technology behind EVs and save money on fuel costs.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the kits on the market today and explain how they work.
Identifying the Car Shell or Chassis
If you’re building a new car from scratch, then it’s important to understand how the shell of the car will affect your decision-making process. There are three main types of cars that can be converted to electric. The first is a car shell, which is a car body without an engine or transmission. There are essentially three types of shells:
Van/Truck – These types of vehicles are generally designed for hauling cargo, so they have plenty of room in which to install batteries and other components.
Coupe/Sedan – These vehicles usually have less room, but can still be modified with some effort.
Pickup Truck – If you want the largest space possible for your conversion, then consider using a pickup truck as a base vehicle.
The second is a rolling chassis, which includes the drivetrain and suspension but not the body.
The third is a complete vehicle, which includes all of the parts needed to make it run.
Finally, there are complete cars, which are ready-to-drive electric vehicles with all necessary components present.
EV Powertrain Kit or the Electric Car Conversion Kit
EV Powertrain Kit or the Electric Car Conversion Kit allows you to convert your gas or diesel car into an electric vehicle. The kit includes all the parts that you need to make your car 100% electric, including a battery pack, controller, and DC motor (inverter).
This will require some DIY knowledge and experience. It consists of all the parts necessary for a complete EV conversion, but you'll have to install them yourself. This option might be cheaper than buying an EV Powertrain Kit since you don't have to pay someone else to do it for you, but it will take more time and effort on your part.
What are Electric Car Conversion Kits?
An electric car conversion kit allows you to convert your standard gasoline-powered vehicle into an all-electric vehicle with little effort or technical knowledge. They come with everything you need to start driving electric immediately, including:
Electric motor controller: This is the brains of your new EV. It controls how much power goes to each wheel and monitors your battery level so that you don’t run out of juice while driving. The controller also regulates things like regenerative braking, which allows you to recharge your batteries while slowing down or coming to a stop by using your brakes as an energy source rather than wasting it as heat through friction with the road surface.
Battery pack — The battery pack is usually made up of several high-capacity lithium-ion cells wired together in series. The pack powers the motor, which drives the wheels through a reduction gearbox. The pack must be designed for the specific vehicle application to ensure proper fitment, cooling, and durability.
BMS — BMS stands for a battery management system, which monitors cell voltage, current draw, and temperature to ensure the safe operation of your electric vehicle.
How To Install Your Electric Car Conversion Kit
To convert your gasoline car into an electric vehicle (EV), though, you have to rip out the engine, gas tank, exhaust, and transmission and replace them with an electric car conversion kit. But there are a series of steps that you must follow before doing so. Here are the basic steps you need to know.
Gather the basic hand tools, as well as a few specialized tools that are specific to electric cars.
Remove the gas engine from the transmission - the challenging part of the process.
Install the electric motor - the easy part of the process.
Install the controller that regulates the electrical flow of the motor.
Test the car.
Should You Do the Work Yourself?
Converting a gasoline-powered car to an electric is a big decision. There are a few things to consider before switching to electric. You'll need to think about the cost of the conversion, how much range you'll need from your electric car, and whether or not you're comfortable working with cars. If you're not sure if converting your car is the right move, you can always talk to a professional about it.
Electric cars are still a contentious subject. Some think that they're a good idea for the future, whereas others consider them an unnecessary diversion from conventional methods. With conversion kits like these on the market, though, it's easy to see that electric cars are moving closer to mainstream acceptance. It won't be long before they'll be accessible to everyone. And when they do, we'll have conversion companies like this one to thank for making the transition easier than ever.
Reference
https://www.evwest.com/catalog/index.php?cPath=40
https://www.etechnophiles.com/electric-car-conversion-kit/
https://www.treehugger.com/converting-your-car-to-an-electric-vehicle-4858603