LOL, I think your idea of cheap and mine are a little different Nodge. I know of a guy that builds EBMW's with old forklift motors he got for free.
I think at the moment they still need government intervention to make the purchase price acceptable, some companies only lease the batteries so they can use them for battery banks when the car is gone, but I don't think it will be long before the price falls low enough for the batteries and motor to be cheaper than a petrol or diesel engine. Part of the problem is car companies don't like them, as they are more reliable and need less servicing.That is cheap for an AC EV vehicle motor of that size Ali. A Tesla unit of that KW rating will cost over 10 times as much.
It's this huge EV cost, that makes them a dream for many, including me.
That's my kinda conversion costs.
The batteries are a huge outlay too. Even lead acid batteries are expensive, but pale into insignificance by comparison to LiPo technology batteries. Tesla are looking to get there LiPo production costs down to under $100 per KWh, but couldn't get them below $200 per KWh, last time I checked.
This is my main concern with current EV vehicles on the market. If the batteries and power systems are costing 3/4 of the total cost of the whole vehicle, then how cheaply made is the last 1/4 of the vehicle.
Looking at the efficiency of these new EVs, they appear very cheap to run. However this still doesn't take into account the high initial purchase costs and ridiculous price of new batteries, when they become necessary.
I'd still like to have a go at a sensible priced EV Freelander though. I'm sure it's possible, although it'll never attain proprietary EV car ranges.
Agreed, although they hit expensive EV with new EV purchase tax recently, which is a backwards step.
For the moment I'm having fun with my Ebike conversion. The current one uses an alternator bolted to a frame above the rear wheel with a belt going to a washing machine pulley bolted to the rear wheel. A couple of days ago I replaced the controller with a 1500W one and now it does 30mph on the flat with only 36V. I'm looking forward to seeing what it's like with the new batteries I've ordered taking it up to 48V
There are some videos of it here. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRhFZUZKXlOEvw35vr4P-7gAgreed, although they hit expensive EV with new EV purchase tax recently, which is a backwards step.
Renault charge a £75 per month lease on the batteries, IIRC. That's the equivalent of a full tank of diesel in a Freelander.
Don't forget to do a video of it Ali.
I had it out last night and couldn't believe the difference. I need to check what current it's now drawing but I tink it must be near 40A.
Is that the same motor found in the current new generation of London Taxi?
Hmm. About 120 bhp. I won't buy this one, but I'll give that some consideration in a few years time, as I fancy building a Hill Climb special from scratch one day (when all these bits are more readily available from a the scrap yard!)
But yes, this would be awesome for an FL1 project - same power as a K-series, but with instant torque. Buy a project car now Nodge, while they're still readily available and cheap!
If you know what your doing and don't mind spending lots of time searching for the parts it can be done.
