As the implications of climate change become more dire, many motorists are looking for ways to reduce their carbon imprint—and save money on fuel—by switching to electric vehicles.
While top auto manufacturers are gradually adding more electric options to their fleets, not all drivers are ready to leave their current models behind. Fortunately, they have an alternative option: converting their existing vehicle to run on electric power, either with a do-it-yourself kit or by seeking the services of a company that specializes in these conversions.
How Do Electric Car Conversions Work?
Most aftermarket conversions involve installation of a DC motor and controller. You’ll get to select the appropriate battery voltage level for your needs, which typically ranges from 96 to 192 volts. You’ll also need to choose what type of battery and charger to use as well; options include golf-cart batteries, marine deep-cycle lead-acid batteries and more. Finally, you’ll need the car you want to convert from gas to electric power.
How Much Will a Conversion Cost?
Prices will vary based on the market you live in as well as the specific options you choose for your car, but the figures below can help you estimate a budget for the project:
- Battery/batteries: $1,000 to $2,000
- Motor: $1,000 to $2,000
- Controller: $1,000 to $2,000
- Adapter plate: $500 to $1,000
- Miscellaneous parts (wiring, switches, etc.): $500 to $1,000
While converting your current car isn’t a cheap proposition, it can be less expensive than purchasing a new electric car; Tesla’s least expensive model starts at around $40,000. However, most drivers who opt to convert rather than purchase new are more motivated by a desire to hold onto a classic car with sentimental value than they are by saving money.
Are you looking to save extensively at the pump, and aren’t ready to convert your car to electric yet? If so, check out our extensive GetUpside review to see how you can save up to 45 cents per gallon without changing any of your regular habits!
What Companies Can Help Me Convert My Car?
The following 12 companies offer conversion services, conversion kits or parts or a combination of the two.
Make Mine Electric
This Northern California company provides electric vehicle conversions at reasonable prices, with basic packages starting at $20,000. Their work incorporates regenerative braking for maximum power generation, and your car will retain excellent performance at highway speeds.
Your range will be limited to around 100 miles, but you’ll be able to recharge your car in around eight hours using a standard household outlet. Expect your conversion to take about three months to complete.
Canadian Electric Vehicles
For more than 30 years, Canadian Electric Vehicles (CEV) has offered electric conversion services to commercial customers, with much of their business devoted to transforming tugs, trucks and carts for airline and industrial use.
However, the company also sells conversion kits and parts to customers looking to convert their daily drivers to electric power. Parts are available for most manufacturers, including Chevrolet, Chrysler, Ford, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen.
Electro Automotive
Located just south of the San Francisco Bay Area, Electro Automotive is one of the oldest electric car conversion companies in the nation. Electro Automotive was founded in 1979 and offers instructional books, DVDs and workshops on car conversions in addition to selling the parts you’ll need to complete your project.
DIYev
DIYev launched in 2016 and provides conversion kits for a broad range of vehicles, from compact cars to large box trucks and even school buses. Their data-driven, research-led technology represents the cutting edge of the electric vehicle conversion industry, and DIYev developed the first all-electric drivetrain to use the original manufacturer’s transmission and parts.
The company’s electric motor drivetrain kits are easy to install right out of the box; simply bolt them to the existing internal combustion engine mount and add battery modules as desired to extend your range.
Electric Vehicles of America (EVA)
New Hampshire-based EVA is the ultimate resource for drivers interested in converting their vehicles to electric power. Their site features books, technical papers, spec calculators, a parts catalog and more.
Thanks in part to their dedicated customer service team, EVA has earned an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and you can rely on their products and advice to help you successfully convert your car, truck, tractor or boat.
EV Source
This Logan, Utah-based shop offers both vehicle conversion services and the components you’ll need to do it yourself. Contact their experienced staff for a free consultation, and be sure to peruse the comprehensive FAQ section of their website for valuable information about the conversion process.
Green Motors
Now in its 14th year, Green Motors is based in the Phoenix metro area, with a four-bay garage dedicated to converting, repairing and maintaining electric vehicles.
Owner Todd Barlow will convert your existing vehicle or assist you in finding one to convert, and they also offer comprehensive support and services for DIY conversions, even providing space for customers’ projects.
Wilderness Electric Vehicles
This company’s signature offering is its True EV Car Kit, which includes everything you’ll need to convert your vehicle except batteries and racks. The simple, user-friendly kit can help you get your car up and running in a matter of hours at an exceptionally low price: just $2,280 plus shipping costs.
Wilderness Electric Vehicles also offers several other conversion kits as well as instructional guides and other helpful resources to make your project a success.
Green Shed Conversions
Based in Crystal River on Florida’s Gulf Coast, Green Shed Conversions proffers a wide selection of DIY conversion kits, individual parts and one-on-one tech support to assist you with your conversion.
The company specializes in classic car conversions, and its website displays several impressive examples of “memory cars” that now run on 21st-century power.
Zelectric Motors
Zelectric Motors’ niche market includes rebuilding and converting primarily Volkswagen and Porsche vehicles from the 1950s through 1970s, a process it calls “RetroFuture.”
All work takes place in their Southern California facility, and the team will convert your existing vehicle or assist you in locating the perfect candidate for conversion.
EV-Propulsion
Founded in 1975 after the first “oil crisis,” EV-Propulsion will convert your vehicle, partner with you to help you do it yourself or simply sell you the components you need.
The company’s designs create electric vehicles with automatic transmission, power steering and brakes and air conditioning in a package capable of maintaining highway speeds. The brick-and-mortar business is located on Long Island, but they ship globally and offer remote consulting services as well.
EV4U Custom Conversions
EV4U Custom Conversions not only provides gas-to-electric conversion services and parts, but also exhaustive educational resources for home mechanics planning a conversion project. Their three-day workshops at their California facility include classroom instruction, hands-on experience and more.
This fully prepares you to convert your own vehicle or even start your own conversion business. For additional assistance, they have also published more than 200 instructional videos available on YouTube.
