Electric Conversion

[davemercedes]

I was reading an article a couple of days ago - about a company who convert cars to electric power and it got me thinking that as the city barriers have started to come down could it possibly be a way to go? When I looked a bit deeper on google, there was a comment from Auto Express saying it could be accomplished as a DIY job for as little as £900. Apart from thinking that's probably a little ambitious target, due to health reasons, DIY is a non-starter for me but the alternative suggestion was to budget £25,000 for a "turnkey" job!

It would be good if it was more affordable but despite the throw away age we live in I can't stand the thought of my car (2007 Diesel C Estate - S203) being sacrificed in order to avoid the city centre charges that are coming soon.

 

[Blobcat]

Have a look for “Vintage Voltage” can’t remember if it’s on Quest or Dave TV channel.
They're based in Newtown Powys and do some interesting conversions

 

[DSK]

I agree that is a waste to get rid of a perfectly working car.

This conversion that’s being mentioned, does it turn a car into a hybrid or a full electric car?

Also Vintage Voltage did a well known Old school VW beetle converting it Tesla power etc. I recall thinking ..... fair play that’s kinda cool!


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[Tony Dyson]

It would be cheaper and infinitely more reliable to convert to gas, or cheaper still to just avoid town centres completely.

 

[A.J.]

I was reading an article a couple of days ago - about a company who convert cars to electric power and it got me thinking that as the city barriers have started to come down could it possibly be a way to go? When I looked a bit deeper on google, there was a comment from Auto Express saying it could be accomplished as a DIY job for as little as £900. Apart from thinking that's probably a little ambitious target, due to health reasons, DIY is a non-starter for me but the alternative suggestion was to budget £25,000 for a "turnkey" job!

It would be good if it was more affordable but despite the throw away age we live in I can't stand the thought of my car (2007 Diesel C Estate - S203) being sacrificed in order to avoid the city centre charges that are coming soon.

Have a look for “Vintage Voltage” can’t remember if it’s on Quest or Dave TV channel.
They're based in Newtown Powys and do some interesting conversions

It's on Quest And YouTube

 

[M80]

But the registration will still show the vehicle as a polluter and taxable (I don't care how they term it).
So DVLA would need to amend the registration, which when I approached them seemed like there were 2 chances, no flippin', or a cat in hells.

Different scenario though. But as I view the much of the 'lets go green' bs as new revenue streams for the producers and tax receivers I'm not sure the legislators would be pro active in making this easy.

 

[davemercedes]

Hello all

The article I was reading was concerned with full electric conversion and interestingly (See M80;s point) it mentioned the saving on vehicle tax so maybe there is a cost-effective way to reclassify the tax status? My car is diesel - as most are nowadays and AFAIK nobody is able to convert a diesel vehicle to LPG which would be a workable solution - but while I understand it's technically feasible, nobody does it and apparently, unfortunately it would be very cost£y! Tony is right too - the cheapest solution is to stay out of city centres but unfortunately to get to some places (in Brum for example, where the first city centre charges are looming) it's either necessary to pass through the city centre or it's so close that it's just too easy to drive in there by mistake. I personally don't want to go to the centre anyway but it will no doubt be like the London charge i.e.: unless it's prepaid there's a high risk that the fine is in the post!

I did give a thought to selling off mine and looking for an LPG converted model but I have a (fingers crossed again) trouble free car now - and we all know the potential pitfalls etc with used cars.

Thanks for the heads up on Vintage Voltage - I'll track it down...

 

[davemercedes]

I've asked Vintage Voltage for ballpark figures... I suspect it will be a big Ballpark!

While looking around I came across an article from Autocar in which it says that we should be pushing car makers to investigate the process (which I certainly hadn't heard about) that splits the dangerous NoX2 into Nitogen and Water. Nitrogen of course is harmless (and as the article says, we breathe it daily sp we could and should continue to buy diesel).

Autocar - LINK

 

[bembo449]

wheres all the electricity coming from to power all these cars is what I want to know ? in 2018 the country was only 5% off maxing out its electricity usage and I'm sure it will be even less so now and EDF shut a power station last year too

 

[Craiglxviii]

wheres all the electricity coming from to power all these cars is what I want to know ? in 2018 the country was only 5% off maxing out its electricity usage and I'm sure it will be even less so now and EDF shut a power station last year too

According to the SMMA, the general move to LED lighting is “paying” for it.

 

[LostKiwi]

Car charging overnight puts no additional strain on the grid. It actually balances the peaks to make generation more efficient.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Car charging overnight puts no additional strain on the grid. It actually balances the peaks to make generation more efficient.

Of course the problems will start to show when the sun ain’t shining’ and the wind ain’t blow in’...

 

[rifiki]

Recent cold snap in America stopped all the wind farms working.

 

[Blobcat]

Recent cold snap in America stopped all the wind farms working.

One of the many many many many issues with them...

 

[Tony Dyson]

One of the many many many many issues with them...

Agreed, the Americans can't even agree supply characteristics let alone a National Grid!

 

[V6Matty]

Don’t forget that everything over there is overland too

 

[Craiglxviii]

Agreed, the Americans can't even agree supply characteristics let alone a National Grid!

Yep. I have a buddy working in the California grid- SoCal Utilities or something like that. His description of the issues involved in getting inter-state supply agreements working in practice left me reaching for the Nationalisation button.

 

[bembo449]

Car charging overnight puts no additional strain on the grid. It actually balances the peaks to make generation more efficient.

you really think folk will only charge them at night then ?

 

[LostKiwi]

you really think folk will only charge them at night then ?

Given it's cheaper why would they not?
Also when are they less likely to used? Overnight.

 

[philreed52]

Given it's cheaper why would they not?
Also when are they less likely to used? Overnight.

I still think EV is a stop gap in the absence of any other viable option apart from Hydrogen which they say is too volatile. Who would put an explosive substance in close proximity of people and drive it at high speed ?? If car s were just invented would they be allowed nowadays ? The oil companies do not want EV for obvious reason .

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