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!

[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*

[druid1969]

on 1/25/2009 This is interesting and I admire your zeal,but it is not very well thought out.The first three steps are essentially the same.After that there is no technical information whatsoever.This artical basically says just take the engine out and put a motor in.Then there is he issue we have always faced with electric cars;you don't pollute with gasoline fumes,but you use more power from the grid,which raises your electric bill and puts a heavier demand on the local power plant,the majority of which are still fueled by coal,which means more emissions.You can't get something for nothing.Then the tips;have a mechanic and an electrical engineer help with the project and don't use a car that needs repairs.You're talking about some serious expense.Your heart is in the right place,and,again,I admire your zeal.Don't give up,and don't stop posting your ideas,just do some more research.

[MariM]

on 1/14/2009 Wow, we could all use this. The world would be much cleaner.