| One of the foremost questions in people's minds | | | | that the average DIY EV conversion would cost |
| when it comes to electric cars (or anything, for | | | | between $2,000 and $10,000. |
| that matter), is "what's this going to cost me?" | | | | "That's quite a range," you say. Well, there are a |
| That is a multi-layered question, but let's start at | | | | lot of factors that can affect the cost, not the |
| the beginning... Today electricity is so readily | | | | least of which is what kind of vehicle you are |
| available and cheap compared to other fuels, that | | | | converting. Yes, there are some specialty shops |
| many people are willing to give it away. When | | | | that will convert your car for upwards of $15,000. |
| was the last time someone paid for your tank of | | | | By this time, you are getting into new (or |
| gas? Did you know that if you run your batteries | | | | good-used) car pricing territory, so you'd better |
| down in your EV, you can stop and let them rest | | | | be sure you really like your car or find one that |
| and you will have enough power to limp along until | | | | you like with high mileage or a blown engine that |
| you find some place with an outlet. | | | | the owner is willing to part with for next to |
| "Pardon me, do you think I could plug my car in | | | | nothing. But even at that cost, the longevity of |
| for an hour while I eat in your Cafe?" What do | | | | the vehicle will more than pay for itself. |
| you think they will say? Technically speaking, it is | | | | This is my point: if everyone who owns multiple |
| not a good idea to let your EV batteries run that | | | | vehicles would convert one of them to electric |
| low, but in an emergency it may be necessary. In | | | | for shorter range travel (e.g. commute to work, |
| the mean time, technologists are working on | | | | errands, etc.), keeping another vehicle for longer |
| range issues as we speak. With the amount of | | | | trips, it would go a long way to reducing |
| money and research that is increasingly going into | | | | dependency on oil and the harmful emissions that |
| perfecting electric vehicles, and the infrastructure | | | | come with it. This is not a pie-in-the-sky idea -- it |
| that is being planned to provide charging stations | | | | is attainable. In the mean time, those people would |
| and battery change-out stations, it will only be a | | | | recoup their investment in as little as a year from |
| few years before these problems are solved. | | | | the money they are saving by not having to go |
| But what about the cost of an EV? Admittedly, | | | | to the gas station. Just plug it in at night and drive |
| new electric vehicles are currently cost prohibitive | | | | it during the day. At as little as $.03 per mile, |
| for most people and may be unavailable to many. | | | | compared to $.20-$.30 per mile with your ICE, |
| The bad news is, prices for new highway capable | | | | you can imagine how much you will save over the |
| EVs and PHEVs being rolled out beginning next | | | | next 5-10 years. Do the math; it will amaze you. |
| year will probably not improve substantially for a | | | | (Hint: at least $2000/yr). |
| few years (think: high-end SUV prices). The good | | | | I've researched the options and decided |
| news is that you can get one today that looks | | | | converting to EV is the way to go. In fact I have |
| just like the car in your driveway. In fact, it could | | | | started my own EV project. Will you join me? |
| be the car in your driveway. Did you know that | | | | Visit my web site for some suggestions on where |
| most of the EVs on the road today were | | | | to start. In Part 3, Alternatives To Electric Cars, |
| converted from an ICE vehicle for a fraction of | | | | we will compare electric vehicles to other |
| the cost of buying a new vehicle -- some for as | | | | alternative energy solutions. |
| little as a few hundred dollars. I would guestimate | | | | |