What cars from the last 34 years would you think would convert to electric well?

AMKC · 01-03-2023 7:52pm #1

For me it's the Renault Laguna MK11. It was a car so far ahead of its time in its day in technology and design it made any other car in the class look instantly ancient.

I think a MK 11 Laguna with an electric powertrain would be perfect.

My second would be the Ford Focus MK.1

Again just like the Laguna it made every other car in its class look instantly ancient.

teediddlyeye · 01-03-2023 9:28pm

Stretch it to 40 years. Delorean ftw.

AMKC · 01-03-2023 9:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120303320#Comment_120303320

Agreed. Great choice.

colm_mcm · 02-03-2023 7:47am

That’s all a Laguna II needs, more electrics ☠️

hoodie6029 · 02-03-2023 9:03am

Mk 1 Zafira. The seat recesses leave plenty of room for batteries.

bazz26 · 02-03-2023 12:23pm

The original Citroen DS.

Needs a hover conversation too just like in Back to the Future.

Arnout · 02-03-2023 12:30pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120305165#Comment_120305165

Talking to it makes it fly?😝

bazz26 · 02-03-2023 12:57pm

It might, haha. Damn spelling checker.

zg3409 · 02-03-2023 1:09pm

There was a meeting if already converted cars to EV in Dublin last weekend.

https://www.tog.ie/gallery/

There is another meeting planned for August 2023.

They say some hybrids like Lexus can drive totally on already existing motor which is part of gearbox, meaning throw away engine, no need to buy a motor, nor fit it, but you would need battery upgrades and probably all new controls, chargers, dash etc. Probably need electric hydraulic pump for brakes and power steering but easily got from scrap yards.

As to which car to pick it mainly depends on your needs. If you want a kit and simplicity then old mini or old beetle have bolt in kits off the shelf for uk£20k. Most of these have very slow 6kW charge rate, no good for longer trips. Some are 22kW but still not that fast. The newer more expensive use CCS do 100KW+ rate depending on battery type but probably needs battery cooling for higher rates.

In terms of room and simplicity land rover defenders with batteries along the boot are popular. Estate type cars work well for lots of batteries.

A delorean was converted to EV by Belfast university and there have been a few more since. There was classes on diy conversion ran in Arklow before COVID but now happen in Netherlands I believe. Openinverter forum is main diy website with diy kits for controlling old Tesla motors and Nissan leaf parts to cobble together cheap conversions in the thousands rather than 10s thousands.

An electric push bike or motorbike is a good starting point and easier DIY. See photos linked above.

Henry Ford III · 02-03-2023 6:17pm

None, because they'd all have dreadful range, cost way too much, and despite all the claims they aren't environmentally friendly.

Hellrazer · 03-03-2023 12:13am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120306649#Comment_120306649

But you`d still have to give it a go.

For me it would be the Sierra P100 - fill that tailgate to the top with batteries and get 5 million kilometers range out of it!!!

Range problem solved.

AMKC · 03-03-2023 8:31am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120306649#Comment_120306649

None, because they'd all have dreadful range, cost way too much, and despite all the claims they aren't environmentally friendly.

Maybe not but they are a lot friendlier to society and people especially in towns with no poison coming out if there tailpipes and no noise.

eusap · 03-03-2023 4:07pm

There is a good show on discovery showing classics being converted to Electric based on a workshop in wales, quite a few irish people have got their cars converted there.

But there is a fine line between weight / size and space for batteries / range

fricatus · 03-03-2023 4:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120306649#Comment_120306649

That's as may be, but it's nice to be able to have an electric version of a car you wanted in the past.

I always loved the look of the Merc E-Class from 2003 to 2008, and I'd love to have one with an electric powertrain. Sure, a dedicated EV is more efficient, etc., but I'd love one of those Mercs without the expensive road tax, maintenance and servicing that goes with a fossil powertrain.

kindalen · 04-03-2023 9:05am

Damien Maguire on Youtube is excellent. Enjoy his content, even though I don't understand most of it.

https://www.youtube.com/%40Evbmw

teediddlyeye · 04-03-2023 11:32am

Actually a whole group of cars I'd love to have converted is any emmisions spec. 70s US car. Much better as an EV than an underpowered v8.

On a side note that's a style of car I'd love to see return as efficiency is less of a problem with EVs. Forget SUVs and give me a massive, floaty, 2 door coupe.