Electric Car, Convert your 6gc Options

[Hanyo]

Has anyone considered converting your 6gc to an electric car?

I know, it a super down grade on performance and has a range of 100 miles. But with all the enviromental concerns going around, doesn't that make you want to be a pioneer in the next car technology?

[BloodyStupidDave...]

Has anyone considered converting your 6gc to an electric car?

I know, it a super down grade on performance and has a range of 100 miles. But with all the enviromental concerns going around, doesn't that make you want to be a pioneer in the next car technology?

It would be brilliant to see a conversion in this form (perhaps a rolled Prius?) or even based around a fuel cell such as those from Intelligent Energy (an offshoot of Loughborough University).

For a cheaper and simpler (albeit less environmentally clean) solution, how about an LPG conversion? I and a few others have gone down this route - it costs around £800-1200 (or around $1800) to have the conversion done for you, and many sites allow you to do the conversion for yourself under supervision, thus saving some of the labour costs. At UK petrol prices and around 18000 miles/year, it'll take me a total of 18 months to break even.

[Supersprynt]

Converting to an electric car? Can this even be done? Where would this take place? How would it be beneficial?

100 miles is pitiful. I drive that much in one day sometimes.

[BloodyStupidDave...]

I know, it a super down grade on performance and has a range of 100 miles.

Electric vehicles have come on a long way in the last few years, for instance the Tessla Roadster achieves the following:

* 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds
* 13000 rpm max
* 248hp
* Top speed 125mph
* 245 miles on single charge (combined city/highway)
* Charges empty to full in under 3.5 hours
* Equivalent to 135mpg
* Less then 2 cents per mile
* High torque across the speed range

Oh, and prices start at $98k.

[Rayme]

Put in a TDI engine from a volkwagen and run on old vegetal baking oil. Call it a day

[daazndood]

wouldnt be a bad idea. then at least us americans have an excuse for the celica being so slow.

[Hanyo]

Converting to an electric car? Can this even be done? Where would this take place? How would it be beneficial?

100 miles is pitiful. I drive that much in one day sometimes.

yes it can be done. From my own research its possible, and fairly easy. the 100 mile range depends on what batteries you use and how many. If you convert a Big truck that has a weight capacity for enough batteries then you can easily break the 200 mile range limit. But given our current celica's size, i would not suggest puting that many batteries in.

I know, it a super down grade on performance and has a range of 100 miles.

Electric vehicles have come on a long way in the last few years, for instance the Tessla Roadster achieves the following:

* 0 to 60 in under 4 seconds
* 13000 rpm max
* 248hp
* Top speed 125mph
* 245 miles on single charge (combined city/highway)
* Charges empty to full in under 3.5 hours
* Equivalent to 135mpg
* Less then 2 cents per mile
* High torque across the speed range

Oh, and prices start at $98k.

Yup electric cars are getting better, but the tessla roadster cost a ton of money. A simple electric conversion would only cost from 10-20k.

Put in a TDI engine from a volkwagen and run on old vegetal baking oil. Call it a day

True bio-deisel works 1000% better then electric vehicles. But where are you going to find a refill station? The same story goes with E85 and LPG.

The main reason to do this is to limit your carbon foot print.

[BloodyStupidDave...]

But where are you going to find a refill station? The same story goes with E85 and LPG.

I dunno what it is like in the Bay area, but in the UK about 1 in 8 petrol stations nationally have at least one LPG pump, with on average one new pump being commissioned every day. Just a couple of years ago LPG pumps were pretty much non-existent in the UK - so you can see that the roll-out is happening very fast over here.

Round where I live, the ratio of stations with pumps is closer to 1 in 4, with two stations within 4 miles of home in one direction, one station about 6 miles from home in the other direction and one within 5 miles of work on my route home.