FAQ
How much does it cost to convert a vehicle?
Well that really depends on the details of what you want. Does your vehicle need work other than the conversion? New suspension and brakes are often a good idea, but you might also want a new transmission or differential. From there we need to look at the actual conversion parts. You can base that choice on either budget or things like performance and range. One way or another, most conversions are going to start at $30k and go up from there.
Whoah, that's a lot of money! Can't I just buy a new EV for that kind of money? Why should I do a conversion?
You sure can! A brand new EV will probably have better range, be faster, and be a lot safer too. Converting a classic isn't about getting the best electric vehicle you can for the money. The value is in keeping your vehicle on the road and making it as good or better than it ever was. If you aren't really in love with the idea of electrifying your car, don't do it.
How long does it take?
Again, this is going to come down to what you want done. If we're keeping most of the drive train and don't need to do much else, it could be as little as 1-3 months. If you want to stuff a Tesla drive unit in a classic Mustang, that's a lot of engineering and fab work. Think 9 months or more.
What about range, top speed, and performance?
Not to be repetitive but, this is going to come down to what you want. For range, you need to balance weight, space, and cost. Best case is probably still only going to 60-100 miles or so.
Top speed, and acceleration?
Top speed and performance are also going to depend on your choices. Freeway speeds are generally no problem. Beyond that it's mostly a numbers game about the gearing, tire size, and max RPM. Acceleration is a little more involved, but the easiest/timeliest conversions use motors with 80 to around 120 HP. If you're looking to improve the acceleration of your classic VW, we're golden. If you're looking to improve the 0-60 time of your classic muscle car... I won't say it's impossible, but it's probably going to be very very expensive and take a lot of time.