Build Your Own Electric Car: Cheap, Part 5

http://300mpg.org/
Learn how you can build your own electric car, on a budget, with no background in electronics or engineering. As presented Sept 25th, 2010 at the Mother Earth Fair at Seven Springs Resort in Pennsylvania.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• EV
• electric car
• Ben Nelson
• Geo Metro
• Electro-Metro
• Nissan Leaf
• Chevy Volt
• Homebuilt
• Homebuild
• DIY
• How-To
• Mother Earth Fair

[pheenix42]

If I could, I'd seriously drive an electric. Distance to work is something like 4 miles each way, and everything here in town is pretty easy to get to. And, if I could get 70+ miles out of a charge, I could easily visit my brother and sister who live something like 30 miles away.

*sigh*...someday, sir--someday.

[BenjaminNelson]

@pheenix42

For families that have more than one car anyways, it makes a lot of sense to have one gas and one electric. Use the electric one for all your short and local trips, and the gas one only for the long trips. It's the poorman's Plug-In Hybrid!

[MopDMTBARTL]

also, is there a technical class someone can take to learn how to put together electrical cars? i'm sure if you worked at chevy you would just be one piece along the assembly line. i wish i knew exactly what to do or where i can obtain that knowledge that i'm happy to pay someone for. however most offers via the net are scams. I have a degree in computers. Should have done electrical engineering. my issue with going back to school is the amount of time that is wasted. i want an express course

[BenjaminNelson]

@MopDMTBARTL

Visit 300MPGdotORG. I made an instructional DVD set that teaches how an entry-level person can build their own basic electric car.

[MopDMTBARTL]

why do you need so many batteries? does a chevy volt have that many?

[BenjaminNelson]

@MopDMTBARTL

Actually, a Chevy Volt has a LOT MORE batteries than this - they just happen to be much smaller and more expensive. The power system in AC setups (including the Prius and Volt) are usually higher voltage, so they have many more batteries to reach that voltage. Physically, the individual batteries are smaller and built together into a pack in the car.

6 used batteries for this car only cost me $72. The price of a Volt is much higher.

[pheenix42]

@BenjaminNelson Exactly!  I'd use my gas vehicle for the bad weather/long trips, and the electric for the everyday stuff! =D

[pheenix42]

Bed frame is a good idea...that steel in it is generally pretty tough stuff!

[MopDMTBARTL]

@BenjaminNelson - thx!

[BenjaminNelson]

@romenator666

"Best" depends on so many things. Manzanita Micro chargers are considered very good, but they aren't cheap.