914 EV discussion, Who's doing or done an electric 914? Options

[Joe Bob]

http://www.electroauto.com/gallery/vp914.shtml
http://electric914.wordpress.com/
http://www.evcl.com/914/

Electro Automotive has a kit for 14K...yikes.....
Otmar seems to be REAL busy building components.....

I'm thinkng of doing one for my twins..... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blink.gif)
I have two years to get it done.....

[pjf]

I also double checked my estimate for the cost per mile of an electric 914. I got a local quote of $109.63 for a US Battery 125 6v battery. This battery is what I was planning on using and is very similiar to the Trojan T-105 that banger quoted at $150. 20 US 125's would cost $2192.60. This price difference accounts for alot of the difference in our two estimates. I used 550 cycles at 80% discharge from the US Battery website putting the cost per cycle at $3.99 a cycle. I estimate 60 miles per charge assuming 200wh/mile which I believe is a good average for a converted 914. This puts the battery cost at $.066/mile. I thought I had a good way of estimating the cost of electricity but even using banger's higher $3.15 per charge this works out to $.052/mile. Again I'm assuming 60 miles per charge which should be possible unless I'm missing something (which is certainly possible). Total cost is $.118/mile. This is more than the $.10/mile for gas at $3/gallon and 30mpg but its not bad.

[banger]

Just be careful with your calculations. 550 cycles is a bit optimistic. Look at the test parameters, and see how it compares to real world. The test doesnt involve pulling 1000 amps from the battery on acceleration, which heavily stresses the battery and greatly reduces its life. The other thing people forget is that their distance will be reducing every time you drive the vehicle. The figure that if they have 40 miles range it will be fine for them to make the 30 mile round trip to work and back. This is fine until the batteries start to age, after 6000 miles or so, you find that you can only go 20 miles. Also battery temperature is very important, even in southern california, the temperature has a large impact on range. If you live in a colder climate you will need to have battery heaters to keep them warm. I am telling you all this, not because I am an A**hole, and trying to discourage you. I am telling this because I have done it all before. I was one of the first people to put aftermarket batteries in the Ford Ranger EV. I also had the Ranger with the greatest range, and could go 80-90 miles at freeway speeds of 70-75 mph. I can also tell you how depressing it is to spend $5000 on batteries, and then 12,000 miles later, only have half the range that you originally had. This is the reason why I am converting my truck to Nimh. With Nimh, you have more range for a given pack weight and size, the cycle life is better, and cold weather performance is better.

I also double checked my estimate for the cost per mile of an electric 914. I got a local quote of $109.63 for a US Battery 125 6v battery. This battery is what I was planning on using and is very similiar to the Trojan T-105 that banger quoted at $150. 20 US 125's would cost $2192.60. This price difference accounts for alot of the difference in our two estimates. I used 550 cycles at 80% discharge from the US Battery website putting the cost per cycle at $3.99 a cycle. I estimate 60 miles per charge assuming 200wh/mile which I believe is a good average for a converted 914. This puts the battery cost at $.066/mile. I thought I had a good way of estimating the cost of electricity but even using banger's higher $3.15 per charge this works out to $.052/mile. Again I'm assuming 60 miles per charge which should be possible unless I'm missing something (which is certainly possible). Total cost is $.118/mile. This is more than the $.10/mile for gas at $3/gallon and 30mpg but its not bad.