How big of an electric motor is needed to power a small car, like a geo, for example?

Question

If I wanted to put an electric motor in a compact car, like a Geo metro, for example, how big of an electric DC motor would be needed to achieve typical driving speeds? Lets say 55 mph. Where does one get a large DC motor, suitable for this use?

Answer 1

50 hp is more than enough, with a light car and a light electric motor.  a forklift motor works well, and you can use more than one in sequence to get more power out of it.  the main problem is the batteries, because they are very expensive, and for any kind of range, you need alot of them.  however, using batteries means you can distribute the weight evenly and get a car with a perfect 50-50 weight balance.

also, some very cool race cars can and have been made using electric power.  check out the links

Answer 2

Either the Etek or the PMG 132 if you don't need to accelerate too quickly.  They are both highly efficient motors and offer good peak power to weight ratios.

http://www.enigmaindustries.com/PMG_132/...

However almost everyone I have seen uses a 9", although the metro is a lot lighter.

Remember your controller, your 0-5k ohm pot box, and of course your batteries.  If you're doing it simply to save money on gas do your research first on how much it will cost you.  Also you will need a custom mounting plate to attach it to the transmission and you need the stick shift model, not an automatic.  Then you will use 2nd 3rh and 4th gears.  

Also figure out how far you need to drive on a charge and carry enough capacity to double that.  This way you never deep cycle discharge the batteries and they will last a lot longer.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Although I may not be very familiar with Geo, I am familiar with electric motors for vehicles. Hybrid electric is a very great way of protecting the enviroment of course, but that isn't the true meaning of a hybrid; it's your wallet. Having a hybrid, little less, developing your own hybrid is quite tricky. First of all, electric motors are expensive, along with the large heavy batteries that are required to store such energy. They can be extremely challenging to install them, and dangerous too. The first question to ask is the price. My question is the price-range. The electric motors and batteries are an estimated $2000 each. (est. $6-8000 total). Then, they would eventually need to be replaced within a certain amount of charges and uses of the battery. (If adapting to Toyota/Lexus/Ford hybrids, batteries have a longer lifetime; estimated lifetime span).... To finally answer your question, a good electric motor for a Geo, or anyother type of older, quite heavy car should have at least have 85 horsepower for the electric motor only. This would produce an excellent amount of electric power; in concert with the gasoline engine that is already integrated in the sedan. With a combination of at least 150 horsepower, you can have a car that can at least give 30mpg; depending on the weight, aerodynamics, 'new' operation (use syntetic oil only, always use preimuim gas, have correct 4 tires with a beyond average filled with air, have air shut windows and doors, fill in any cracks between lights and or front grill, install low air flow rims like new Civic Hybrid, carry less weight in the rear latch of the car and cabin) and uses of the car... I'm not a mechanic, so I couldnt assist you in combine your two sources, or developeing the car to only run on electricity, but I know that at least you can pay a pretty penny, and if you always check for updates on how to keep your vehicale from using a lot of gas/power, I'm positive that you can have a wallet saving car; and of course, for the enviroment...

Answer 4

You may wish to check out this site - he makes electric vehicle conversion kits, and he has one designed for the Geo - It's only $8000.

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http://www.canev.com/KitsComp/GeoKit/Geo...

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Additional help for converting cars to electricity found here:

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http://www.austinev.org/evalbum/build

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Lots of links to EV converters, etc. On the bottom of this page:

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http://squidoo.com/cheap-electric-car

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