How to Build Your Own Electric Car

Building an electric car is a very popular topic as of late, with a push for a more environmentally conscious society. As we all must do our part to go green, building an electric car has numerous benefits.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Car

1. Get a car. Go for smaller, compact cars that would need less energy to move.

2. Remove anything gasoline related. This includes Gas tank, Exhaust, muffler, Engine, Starter, Radiator, Coolant tank, Fuel lines and filter.
   DO NOT TAKE APART ANYTHING OF THE TRANSMISSION, for you will need it.

3. Attach the motor to the transmission?

4. Connect the electric motor to the transmission to power the car via rotary power.

5. Install the motor.

6. Figure out what batteries you will need, which will be determine by the battery system.

7. Acquire a controller that can control the power between motor and batteries. The controller should run on at least 48-72 volts.

8. Set up the gas pedal cable to the potentiometer, which will send the signal to the controller.

9. Get the car registered and insured through the DMV.

Tips & Warnings

• Having as many volunteers help build the electric car will make for a more successful project.
• It is highly recommended to have a mechanic and an electric engineer help build the electric car.
• Get a car that has no electric-powered devices, such as power steering, power brakes, power windows, power locks, and anything else. Eliminating this power options will reduce the use of the battery's energy.
• Used Hondas, Hyundias, or Geos are perfect cars to work with.
• Average DIY electric cars can go about 20 miles on one full charge, and top speed of 45 to 50 miles per hour.
• Buy the highest voltage controller possible.
• Be careful to not injure yourself during the process.
• Do not get a junk car that need to be repaired.
• If you are not knowledgeable with cars, do not go blindly into the project!

[amysmarts]

on 9/29/2009 Great article on how to build you own electric car. This will help a lot of people. Well-written. Thanks. 5*

[ceholmes]

on 8/24/2009 very cool, this is interesting! 5*

[gntlben]

on 4/22/2009 Great article. Five stars.

[eggerist]

on 3/31/2009 druid1969 is absolutely correct...good basic idea, needs more research...

[tundranut]

on 3/22/2009 Thanks for the effort. 5*