DIY Electric Car – Save Fuel Cost by Using Home Built Electric Car

Many conventional car owners are fascinated by the idea of driving an electric car and they would like to know how it works. Generally, electric vehicles (EV) are quite simple. Instead of burning fossil fuel to generate force, EV uses the power of magnetic induction to produce torque from the electric motor. The more electricity flowing through the motor, the more force it will generate. Ever since the price of gasoline reached a new height, running a car has become an expensive ordeal. It is understandable that many car owners are expressing their interest on electric car. What would be the process of retrofitting a car into an EV? This article will provide some useful information on the subject.

If you want to modify your car to run on electricity, it would cost you upwards of $4000 to get it done in professional workshop. If you really want to save money, you can actually do the conversion process yourself at home. Generally, the retrofitting process involves removing the internal combustion engine, the fuel tank, fuel pump, fuel lines and radiator. The entire system is to be replaced with an electric motor and lead acid batteries. Imagine replacing all the components that has fluid running through it and changing it with wires connectors.

The existing drive train of the car such as the transmission, drive shafts and clutch system can still used. The electric motor will be coupled to the transmission and drawing power from the batteries. The number of batteries needed will depend on the horse power of the motor and the weight of the car.

If you do not have any knowledge on the electrical and mechanical system of a car, all these information may not make any sense to you. In this case, you can ask someone who has some car maintenance skill to assist you. To start the conversion process, you should first get a good step by step modification guide. Most good quality guides are available online.

New Electric Car Batteries – What Every Car Freak Dreams Of!

Batteries are used to run electric cars, they are stored beneath the hood and maybe 12 to 24 in numbers.

When it is time to replace them they are all there.

These batteries are similar to those used on cell phones and toy cars children love to drive around in the backyard.Thus, it is not very difficult to get new batteries when we need them.

Actually, electric batteries do not need to be replaced often so replacment of batteries does not happen too frequently.

They cost around $2000 to $5000 , depending on the model and make of your car.

You must be careful about the amount of electricity in the battery before charging it.

Sometimes the batteries have an in built “memory” , and if the battery is not run completely before charging it may lose some of it’s potency.In this situation you may have to spend on a new battery before it is due.

There is alot of research and development underway in the electric cars industry.

New battery technology is being worked on to ensure that your vehicle can get charged faster and hold more power for a longer time.It will not be long before you can drive your car longer without the need for a battery charge.This is really some great news for those who patronise electric cars.At present the cars can run upto 100 miles per charge.There is a strong possibility that by 2010 the car will be able to run 200 miles on new batteries.

Recycling of the batteries can be done when it is time to replace the batteries.

Electric car batteries are recyclable upto 95 percent.Only those who are concerned about the environment and want to protect their wallets against the gasoline price hike will opt for an electric car, since you have, you are sure to be one of them. So, if you can recycle your electric car battery, before buying a new one you have given yourself a new source of power along with peace of mind.

It is advisable to choose the best type of batteries, for the best price, for your car and be assured that you have done the best for yourself and for the environment .

Hybrid Electric Car: A Promising Technology for a Promising Future for the Environment

A hybrid-electric vehicle, or HEV, combines an electrical energy storage system with an occupied means of generating electrical energy, usually through the consumption of some type of fuel. Each type of HEV has its own operating quality and chosen design practices, as well as advantages and disadvantages.

The development of interior ignition engine vehicles, especially in automobiles, is one of the supreme achievements of modern technology as a new rising energy saving and environment -friendly vehicle, that is why the hybrid-electric vehicles were created to give convenience to every human.

In the process of creating the hybrid electric car, the most important is the energy saving and the environmental protection. Wherein nowadays this are the common problems faced by the society.

Having the hybrid-electric car evolved from the electric car. However, the main disadvantage of the electric car is that it is mainly dependent on the batteries. Therefore, has limited range.

First of all, the hybrid electric car was supposed to be an electric vehicle with batteries for power storage and is also equipped with an on-board heat engine-powered generator. This means that this type of hybrid has an extended range.

The heat engine power and the battery power are specifically intended as an important scheme that constantly modulates the excess between the heat engine and the battery power systems. This will also depend on the driving schedule.

Since the beginning of the use of automobiles, electric cars have been already recognized and conceptualized. Even though the electric power train is better in various aspects, as an energy source, the battery was unequal to the superior-energy content, easiness in terms of the handling, and inexpensive and profuse supplies of motor fuel.

Now, it has almost been a century since the electric car has been popularly discussed, but recent developments in the HEV technology and the growing concerns for the environment has revived the drive for an HEV and this has become a realization today.

We can consider the personal means of transportation as a very important bond in the economic chain of current modern societies and that a private vehicle appears to be the popular choice.

Electric vehicles are more energy efficient than the contemporary vehicles wherein the electric vehicles operates at approximately 46 percent of effectiveness, while a contemporary vehicle operates at about 18 percent only.

There are studies that generally concludes that electric cars with batteries are approximately 10 to 30 percent more efficient with energy than the usual gasoline cars, depending on the exact assumptions of the vehicles energy usage and energy chain efficiency.

Certainly, the comparisons of the electric vehicles and the conventional vehicles are comparisons between an extremely developed power system that is nearly in the end of its research and development, and the innovative power system in the beginning stages of the development wherein important development can be expected as the new technology evolves.

Furthermore, the advantages of electric powered modes of transportation extends beyond the true outlook of economizing energy. Electric generation plants can use substitute fuels that are not adaptable to portable power systems.

Electric vehicles are the definitive alternative fuel vehicles because their power is taken from the source fuels utilized to produce electricity. Aside from that, the flexibility of the fuel alone can offer important useful and economic advantages especially in relation to a variety of energy resources.

The electric car is truly a promising technology that could transform one’s means of transportation into a far more environmentally type of commodity. Through this innovation emission controls become more important, effective and economically beneficial.

Do Electric Cars Save Money?

With the economy in a state and fuel prices rising, many people are turning towards purchasing an electric car. The real question is whether electric cars can actually save you money. Unfortunately, the answer really depends on the individual car owner.

Let’s start by discussing the technology involved. When individuals say “Electric Car,” they’re referring to one of two things. The first is a completely electric car. Instead of a traditional gasoline powered engine, these cars run wholly on batteries. We’ll discuss these in just a moment.

When most people talk about an “electric car,” though, they’re talking about a hybrid – a gas/electric vehicle designed to function just as typical gasoline powered engines do. Wondering if these will save you money? Let’s take a look.

When purchasing a hybrid car, you will quickly find that the sticker price of the car is much higher than the gas-guzzling counterparts. The reason for this is simple – supply and demand. Of course, the technology in an electric car is also much higher than a typical gas vehicle, so the cost increases again. However, even with the higher price of the vehicle, do the monetary savings at the gas pumps close the gap? Actually, no.

Even with gas as expensive as it is and an economy in turmoil, the gap between the cost of an electric car and the gas savings is not closed -meaning that you’re spending more for your electric car than you would a traditional vehicle.

Another major issue with electric cars is depreciation. According to Consumer Reports’ analysis, electric cars lose two to three per cent more in value after five years of ownership when compared to identical gas vehicles.

However, there seem to be two electric hybrid vehicles that would save money over five years – the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic hybrid save a little over $300 in five years. The only reason these vehicles would save owners that money is do to the US federal tax incentives for hybrid vehicles – otherwise, the cost of ownership rises to $2,700 out of pocket. Other hybrid vehicles cost their owners thousands of dollars more than the non-hybrid versions in five years of ownership, even after the tax credits.

When you’re talking about savings, though, there is an argument that we can’t put a price on the environment. This is true, and perhaps there is a payment due for trying to fix what has been broken. This seems to be coming onto the backs of vehicle owners today, in the cost of “green” vehicles that will help to reduce emissions and the use of fossil fuels.

There are technologies for full electric vehicles, such as the ZENN vehicle that is made in Canada. The ZENN (which stands for zero emissions, no noise) is a full electric vehicle – running on a battery you plug in to your home electrical socket. While the technology might not be all the way there yet, these types of full electric vehicles may save more money in the long run, as they do not use non-renewable resources at all, but rather electricity which can be man-made and generated through renewable resources such as wind and water.

Many people are looking to save at the gas pumps, especially with the rise in gas prices in the recent years. Gas prices will continue to rise as wars erupt overseas and the demand for gasoline increases. With this, eventually, if gas gets expensive enough, electric hybrid vehicles will be cheaper to run, however gas needs to be almost $10 a gallon before the savings will be worth it.

Electric Car Conversion Kits – Useful Tips On Dealing With Them

An electric car conversion kit will allow an individual to make a gasoline propelled vehicle into an electric vehicle. If you are interested in electric car conversion kits, they are available from vendors to use in a do-it-yourself form. You should research the best types of cars suited for the electric car conversion kit as well as the type of car to meet your needs. However, there are a number of things to keep in mind before converting to a “green” car.

A Few Things To Consider

The majority of electric cars can only be driven between 30 and 100 miles, this is affected by driving conditions and the weight of theautomobile. For those who have a daily commute in this range, an electric car conversion kit makes perfect sense. For a two car family, where one vehicle is used only for short trips, an electric car is a good alternative. It will save a great deal on the costs of gasoline annually. If your daily commute is more than 30 miles one way and/or in rough or hilly conditions, an electric car may not be the best alternative for you. However, if the daily commute is only 20 miles each way, and the road conditions are normal it may be ideal.

An electric vehicle needs to be recharged overnight. This requires a garage or carport that has electrical outlets. Most electric car conversion kits allow your car to travel up to 25 miles “per gallon” ratio, top speeds are comparable to gas-powered vehicles, and can carry up to four passengers. The cost is usually less than $10,000, but batteries need to be purchased about once a year. These cost about $300 each; that is another expense that should be considered.

Individuals who are interested in learning more about electric car kit conversions can attend various schools with courses on the subject. These courses show the proper way to perform the elements of the conversion process, reducing mistakes and errors that can affect the end result. There are also various workshops available in communities with instructors who are qualified to give you the basic information for working with an electric car kit. They can also assist you with devising a time frame and budget that works to get the project done. For those who aren’t confident in their mechanical abilities, a mechanic with experience in this type of installation may be the best option. Companies which specialize in converting vehicles are springing up rapidly. Many are available via the Internet, and there are also websites which direct the user to conversion specialists near their areas.

Having considered all the ramifications and limitations of converting your vehicle, and if you decide that its right for you and your family, there are many ways of going about the process. Once completed, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have done your part toward protecting the environment, and saving yourself money, too.