Should government convert cars being scrapped for smog in CA to electric cars with extra batteries on roof?

Question

Then flooding the market with these converted electric cars? Batteries on roof (sides, front and rear) would extend mileage prior to recharge. Or use giant watch-type batteries(or banks of conventional watch-type batteries).

Answer 1

I think the technology is available for Electric Cars with enough battery power in the frame for 200 to 300 miles of driving.  

There is a guy who races one in the movie, Who Killed the Electric Car.  He used a bunch of laptop batteries.

Answer 2

this is a good idea, to re-use clapped out infernal combustion engines if the rest of the car is OK.

Build Your Own Electric Vehicle - by Bob Brandt

Batteries tend to be heavy, so should not be on the roof.

I have an old converted 205, 10 batteries in bonnet, 10 in boot - the only thing to have failed is the original ice gearbox.

modern Li-ion batteries are much lighter & more compact. http://www.altairnano.com/markets_amps.h...

the electric motor itself is very small.

Answer 3

I don't know about the batteries on the roof, but electric cars should definitely be produced. It's not a technological problem; there IS no problem! I saw a documentary on TV that convinced me that electric vehicles are feasible and low-polluting (actually zero-polluting, but emissions may be produced by the generation of power). I'm far from a conspiracy theorist, but it's clear to me that electric vehicle production is blocked by car companies and oil companies in favor of what they view as maximum profit. And it's a shame.

Answer 4

I like this idea!  Putting lots of 80 pound batteries on the roof of an automobile raises the center of gravity to the point where merely making the turn at the corner of Hollywood & Vine will cause a rollover accident.  Considering who might be driving this "conversion" such an accident could solve a whole lot of problems.

Answer 5

No need to put batteries on the roof, there's plenty of room down low where the engine and gas tank was.   Many EV conversions actually LOWER the center-of-gravity of the car!

The main problem is those cars are old, so most have thrashed interiors and worn-out suspensions.  Go down to a Pick-n-Pull yard, and you can se for yourself the condition of cars being scrapped.

Given the expense of a top-line electric drive (AC with decent wattage, and advanced battery pack for 120+ mile range), you'd be putting a $25,000 powertrain in a $500 junk chassis.  That makes no sense, put in an $8000 new chassis so you have a nice new car.

A basic, servicable EV powertrain with 25-40 mile range can be built much cheaper, for $4000 or so.  So if you know of an older car you like, whose interior is in good shape, convert it yourself!  It takes fair mechanical skills and minor electrical skills, and a healthy respect for electricity... but it's well within the reach of a hobbyist.