Electric Vehicle Kit

What are the downsides to using an electric vehicle kit?

Although many people associate electric powered vehicles with slow performance and reduced power, modern electric vehicle kits are the product of significant advances in electric automobile technology. At this point, most electric car kits provide cars that appear to have top speeds of between 70 and 75 miles per hour.  Nonetheless, converting to electric power does have its costs.

Perhaps the biggest disadvantage is the necessity of frequent charging of the electric vehicle battery. The Chevy Geo Metro kit referenced above typically produces an electric-powered car that must be recharged every 20 – 40 miles, depending on battery quality and driving habits. This makes the electric vehicle kit a less than optimal choice for anyone with lengthy commutes, however it could be useful for those who primarily use their car within a city setting.

Converting Chevy S-10 with electric car conversion kits

Converting the Chevy S-10 with an electric vehicle kit might be slightly more promising – not only does the S-10 seem to run longer on a single charge (between 40 and 60 miles, again depending on the size and quality of batteries and driving habits) but some models can also be equipped with solar panels to provide the electricity needed to power the car. These panels obviously can be a great energy source and reduce the frequency of charging, at least when driven in daylight hours.

Cost of an electric vehicle kit

Finally, converting automobiles using electric car conversion kits is costly. Most electric car kits available at various Internet sites appear to cost between $8,000 and $10,000.  This cost would increase if professional installation was required, and does not include the cost of the electric car batteries (which can be significant) and access to or the purchase of a charging station.

While electric vehicle kits have come a long way recently, they are still probably not a practical choice for most consumers, especially those with long commutes. However, for the person who loves to work on cars, has some experience with electricity and wants to reduce their dependence on fossil fuels, an electric vehicle kit could be a good choice.