Part 1: Audi A2 EV conversion - the parts

[DanFrederiksen]

I was thinking about an A2 as a donor car so nice to find these videos : )

it's a left hand drive car yet you sound like you are from UK. what gives? : )

[MrSchpankme]

The reason for killing the Electric car is because there is no money to be made in cars that have LOW part counts. Manufactures make their money and that of their dealerships by providing repair and replacement parts. Nice stab at the Americans. Best regards from the States.

[bandayho]

hi i would like to try and do a conversion, it would be my first, could you supply full address and names of where to get the parts you used especially the chinees ones. and could you also let us know roughly how much the parts cost. my email is bandayho@aol.com

thank you and good informative videos

[sugarsaint]

Yo, the mother fucker holding the camera needs to shut THE FUCK UP. The yute doing the explaining is doing just fine then this fuck off loud stink voice keeps on fucking up the vidoe.

Wtf is that about??

[JRoque250]

Nice video, complete with the accustomed European shot at those undeserving Americans. BTW, 2:28 time, the label does say 5Ah, not 50Ah. How's the speed and range coming along now that it's been a while since you've converted?

[JESUSSDAD]

how much were the batteries?

[CzechEVclub]

Great video. Aren't you worried about spare parts? This car has been made in ridiculously small volume, also on the used car market still very pricey. That's what likely had always put people off as selecting this one as candidate for conversion donor. Good luck..

[audia2ev]

Reportedly 175,000 made. Last are 4 years old now. Good point, but which parts would I need? No engine or transmission... brakes seem to be SEAT compatible... maybe some electrics (windows?) but I might pull such stuff out if it goes wrong. The rest - well, seems to be OK for the moment. Not much that can go really wrong, and it is Al so doesn't rust.

[CzechEVclub]

Thanks for reply, but what I meant was that optimized "3L" version (855kg), very few were made and the parts are expensive or not available..

[audia2ev]

Mine is (was) a standard 1.4 petrol. Weight was 930kg before I started the conversion. If it was a 3L... would be a bit of a shame to destroy it, they are the really nice ones.

[CzechEVclub]

Yes, I understand that dilema, but 3L means not only alu-body, but also the rest of the car like suspension (-80kg). In fact 3L is completely corrosion free platform with a bit better aerodynamics and roll resistance on top of that. But the price for them is just insane, and even at that they are not bellow 100.000km, expensive or missing spare parts etc. Btw. I'm not 100% sure but 3L is also limited by ~340kg of allowed extra weight in comparison to yours ~430kg.

[cant7think7clearly]

Excellent! Best of luck with the conversion. Great choice of smaller car and great battery choice.

[tobirod7]

I have some problems doing the battery math's.

100 Cells 3.2volt 5Ah = 1.6kWh

What am i missing?

[audia2ev]

A zero... 50Ah, so 16kWh.

[tobrod75]

That makes more sense... :)

[lifeinhd]

So, how much has this conversion run you so far? I would be doing a Lithium conversion if only batteries weren't so damn expensive....

[audia2ev]

Well. Depends on your point of view if the conversion is expensive or not. My target budget is around €16 or €17K plus car. Others using DC and lead acid seem to do it for about half that - take your pick. BTW over their lifetime, seems to be little doubt that lithiums are already cheaper than lead acid, although initial outlay is bigger. See my Google Group for more details on costs and battery comparisons.

[mprahm]

It's great to finally see the A2 used as the base for an EV conversion. We have an A2 3L in my household, and we have a small "vintage" EV. I have always wanted to combine advantages of electric propulsion with the amazing engeneering effort that has gone into the A2.

I will be watching your conversion project with great anticipation in the coming months. Good luck!

[audia2ev]

Thanks for the support - it is a great little car and hopefully will be just as good after I've hacked it...

[joness105639]

the a2 even resembles a prius, so there will be no confusion that this is a "green car"

[gerfriedc]

I to have this battery - but 36 V only - see the answering video....

It does not like cold (and possibly wet) weather very well but behaves sufficiently so no major problems occurred in the first year of operation. Professionals however install a temperature control system...

[chubbybrown4real]

very interested guys.

we are watching over on the A2 forums with anticipation,how easy your going to make it look.

[audia2ev]

Of course we might just make it look very difficult... which forums, could be I'll have a few questions for you?

[sockosockosocko]

scathing deserved words 2:18 ... things are already changing though

[AlamoCityCello]

Interesting that many of the parts used in this conversion are North American made. Lets see the Europeans build a Tesla. lol

[audia2ev]

Was all tongue in cheek, guys. Yes, you're right, Azure Dynamics is American, I was going to use MesDea (Swiss, just 30km away) but they got a bit complicated and what with the dollar sinking in value over the summer...

[AlamoCityCello]

Sorry mate, but were all a bit bored with the TOP GEAR zeitgeist over here. These are tough times for the American auto makers. Workers are getting layed-off, families are on the street. Mistakes were made by management. It will take time, but we'll get back on top again. Watch and see.

BTW..Azure Dynamics is headquartered Motown, USA! YEAH BABY!

[Odziz]

Already being done, Ecotricity are already near completion with their Lotus EV (check out Zerocarbonista on YouTube) and Lotus have one in the works.

[AlamoCityCello]

All the major car makers have "concept cars" that never make it to the showroom floor. Until u can actually BUY ONE, the Lotus EV is just another prototype. On the other hand, Chevy Volt WILL be available next year. The Tesla is here TODAY!

GOD BLESS THE USA!

[FluxCapacitor2008]

Thanks for the info

[FluxCapacitor2008]

Can you tell me what the unit price ($) is for each battery cell? Thanks