Does anyone own an all-electric car or know about them? Can I ask you several questions about them?

Question

I was behind one today. I think they were out for a test drive. It looked like it was right off the lot. I'm curious......

Answer 1

suen

The one EV car I currently have (have 2 vehicles that run on hydrogen also) I converted from a vw bug and is free to charge. As I live completely off the grid all my electricity comes from solar panels and 2 wind generators, which I a;sp built.

However I did charge up at Costco in Carlsbad California (I actually only drove up there to fill up) if I remember right it was around $2.00

Here’s a list of other places you can charge up, don’t know if there are any prices though.

http://www.evchargernews.com/#regions

Not sure if you’re interesting in doing it your self, but I’d be willing to walk you step by step threw the conversion. I've converted 3 of my own cars (a datsun truck, ford ban, and a vw bug) and a few for neighbors. I've also converted cars to run on hydrogen, ethanol and biodiesel, by far EV is the easiest.

If you’re interested here’s what it would entitle…

- The engine compartment is first cleaned out of any gasoline components.

- Electric components are then installed in exchange.

- A battery bank is built and incorporated.

- Existing starter and driving systems are connected.

- Turn the key, step on the gas pedal sending more energy to the electric motor, & thus more power to the drive system, which in return creates more speed, more acceleration.

- The system has normal automotive top speeds and acceleration, typical to the vehicle your modifying. If your top speed was 85 mph and your acceleration was 1 mile per min, then this will be what your left with after the conversion.

The methods are extremely simple, making the process possible for anyone, everyone, ANYWHERE.

Typical tools, hardware & supplies are used, making access to parts available for all.

Electric Conversions can be easily accomplished in ANY model vehicle, even tractors, Generators, types of machinery, etc.

Project lengths range from 1 day to 1 month.

If you’re interested I wrote a guide on it which is available at http://www.agua-luna.com/guides.html

Hope this helped, feel free to contact me personally if you have any questions if you’d like assistance in making your first self sufficient steps, I’m willing to walk you step by step threw the process. I’ve written several how-to DIY guides available at http://www.agua-luna.com on the subject. I also offer online and on-site workshops, seminars and internships to help others help the environment.

Dan Martin

Retired Boeing Engineer now living 100% Off-the-Grid with my family, using Alternative Energy & loving every minute.

for more info visit agua-luna com or email me at [e-mail]

Answer 2

While there aren't any full size electric cars in production here (anymore), there are new electric vehicles that one can buy.  In general, they are either Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEV) or if they have three wheels they are likely classed as 'electric motorcycles.  

There are a few full-size 'new' looking vehicles around, but these are probably conversions, albeit expensive ones (Smart car or Toyota Yaris conversions, for example).  The last of the full size production electric vehicles were made around 2003, and were based on the Toyota RAV4 platform.  Many of these electric RAV4s are still on the road, with their original batteries, and some of them have100,000 or more miles.

In most states, NEVs (such as the ZENN, GEM etc. see link below) are limited to 25 MPH max, and are restricted to 35 MPH or less roads.  Some states allow them to be (legally) modified to go up to 35 MPH.  Some look like odd golf carts (GEM) while others look like small, normal cars (ZENN).

Electric 'motorcycles' (such as the three-wheeled Zap Xebra) can legally go faster than 25 MPH, but stock Xebras don't go much faster than about 40 for any distance.  The Xebra 'sedan' has room for four 'really friendly' people.  Myers Motors makes a more substantial 3-wheeler that will go 70 MPH or so.  I own an old 'production' electric car made in 1976 - a Citicar - It is my 'daily driver'.

You may be able to identify the electric car you were following by browsing the EV album linked below.

Good luck with the search!

Answer 3

There are no fully electric cars in the US.  They were made years ago by GM, but they were all pulled off the market, taken back from the people who owned them, and destroyed.  The patent was bought from the man who produced the batteries that powered them and all production was stopped.  Check out the movie "Who Killed the Electric Car".  Now you can buy hybrids.  They are made by several manufacturers and range from 30 - 60 thousand depending.

Answer 4

There aren't many EVs available at the moment.  For the most part they're just short-range low-speed EVs.  The best of these is the ZAP Xebra, which costs $10,000, goes 40 mph, and 25 miles per charge.

http://www.zapworld.com/electric-vehicle...

Some affordable high-speed long-range EVs will become available starting in about a year.

Available in California in October 2008, the Aptera typ-1e will cost about $27,000 with a top speed of 95 mph and range of 120 miles per charge.

http://www.aptera.com/details.php

Soon thereafter Aptera will introduce the typ-1h, a plug-in hybrid version of the typ-1e with a 40-60 mile range on purely electrical energy, and a range of over 600 miles total when in electric/gas hybrid mode, for around $30,000.  On a 120 mile trip, the typ-1h will get 300 miles per gallon.  The shorter the trip, the higher the efficiency.

http://www.aptera.com/details.php

Available in 2009, the ZAP Alias will cost $30,000, have a top speed of 100 mph, and a range of 100 miles per charge.

http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/el...

Soon thereafter the ZAP-X will be available at a cost of $60,000 with a top speed of 155 mph and a range of 350 miles per charge.

http://zapworld.com/electric-vehicles/el...

Available in late 2008 or early 2009, the Miles Javlon will cost $30,000 with a top speed of 80 mph and a range of 120 miles per charge.

http://www.milesev.com/

Phoenix Motorcars will start selling their SUT to individuals in late 2008 or early 2009.  It will cost $45,000 and have a top speed of 100 mph with a range of 100+ miles per charge.

http://phoenixmotorcars.com/

Answer 5

Hi Kiddo ;-) Although they are out there, U don't want one yet. Here is an Alternative" that is being used "Commercially" in Australia, based on the "Wankel Rotary Gasoline Engine", but NOT!!! It runs on "Compressed Air" and U plug it in to fill the "Tanks" or there is a small "Lawnmower Type Engine"  that can be started to fill the tanks on a long trip when no Electric is available.  Enjoy!   John

<  www.engineair.com  >

Answer 6

I had an electric 205 conversion. http://www.batteryvehiclesociety.org.uk/...

It was great to drive, smooth, quiet, smell free.

As I live in the countryside I don't drive by any filling stations; but renewing the road tax was great as it is FREE in the UK.

and it was fun taking it for the annual emmissions (MOT) test too.

Unfortunatly there are no commercially available electric cars with decent range and performance

Answer 7

yes there are fully electric cars in the US..

In Mishawaka there was a demonstration of such today ..

And I Heard YOU ALMOST HIT IT!!!!

edit: Geee Suen thanks for the thumbs down...

Yeaa for Boeing A/C... worked em for years...  KC/EC-135s,  BUFFs