Is it feasible to convert my VW polo to electric motor/lithium ion battery power?

Question

I would like to install an electric motor inplace of the current 1L petrol engine into to my V W Polo for city use. Lithium ion batteries are referred to in the media suggestioning they could now provide the rechargeable energy souce.Advise would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Take the engine out and use your legs instead... ala The Flintstones.

Answer 2

Sure... cost should be in the neighborhood of $15,000 to $20,000 if you do most of the work yourself.

Answer 3

You could do that but do you have any idea how much that many lithium ion batteries would cost? Probably $50,000 or more!

Answer 4

If you are in the UK join the Battery Vehicle Society for help & advice

see http://www.batteryvehiclesociety.org.uk/...

there is also a yahoo group search for "diy ev"

best to get together with some others to bulk order the batteries to get the price down.

Answer 5

Sure, but...

The time, effort, and money involved is silly, unless this will a hobby, rather than a practical thing.

A real electric car is designed from the ground up.  Modifying a gas powered car will likely give you a car with restricted cargo space and poor handling.  If you don't properly brace the chassis, it may break from being loaded in a way the designer did not intend (with heavy batteries in a particular place).

Answer 6

Yes

Answer 7

No. Buy a Prius.