Converting ICE car to EV

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gleasonFan

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My wife have been curious about converting our Saturn Sky from ICE to EV. So far, every other web site I've looked at has said one cannot convert a vehicle with an automatic transmission. I personally wonder about these assertions as I thought the entire drive train was pulled and replaced with up to four electric motors. Are they snowing us? Is it even worth trying to do such a conversion. I know Workhorse did a conversion about 15 years ago.
Thank you.
 
Typical conversions mount an electric motor to the existing transmission. In that case you really want a manual. However, that is not today that it cannot be done. Anything can be done, but at what cost?


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gleasonFan said:
My wife have been curious about converting our Saturn Sky from ICE to EV. So far, every other web site I've looked at has said one cannot convert a vehicle with an automatic transmission. I personally wonder about these assertions as I thought the entire drive train was pulled and replaced with up to four electric motors. Are they snowing us? Is it even worth trying to do such a conversion. I know Workhorse did a conversion about 15 years ago.
Thank you.
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GM has created an electric "crate" motor system designed for converting ICE cars to EVs. However, there's not much room in a Saturn Sky for a decent sized battery. You probably wouldn't be happy with only 40 or 50 miles per charge.
 
You could certainly remove the entire drive train and replace it with an Ev drive train. The question is are you planing to do all the work yourself or are you going to pay some one to do it for you. If it the latter a used Ev would most likely cost less. If its the former what is you level of fabrication skills? If they are high and that is what you want have at it. If Your looking for a bolt in option its still probably cheaper to get a used EV.
 
The fittings or adapters between kit parts and body will be the challenge. Many car body parts will have to be measured and adapters fabricated. It can be done but a non-trivial, technical problem.

Bob Wilson
 
Fastnf said:
If Your looking for a bolt in option its still probably cheaper to get a used EV.
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Other than the rare Tesla Roadster or a Smart convertible (neither of which are true drop-tops), there are no used (or new) convertible EVs. Porsche says they will be making a Boxster EV someday. It won't be cheap.

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GetOffYourGas said:
Both Mini and MG have teased electric drop tops are coming. It would be a hard decision for me between the two but I would tend towards the MG based on looks.

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a40616411/mini-cooper-se-convertible-concept-drive/

https://www.motor1.com/news/601799/mg-cyberster-electric-roadster-teaser/amp/


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It's good you prefer the MG because MINI admits their British-built electric convertible is just a styling exercise, not intended for production. I assume MINI didn't bother to spend the development bucks to make a convertible version of the MINI Cooper SE because Plant Oxford was never able to build enough of the Hardtop SEs to keep up with demand.

The British-built MINI Electric has nearly reached the end of its run as MINI is teaming up with Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor to build the 2024 MINI Cooper SE in China. Unfortunately, not only will the Chinese-built SE not qualify for the revised $7,500 federal EV tax credit, but it will be subject to a US import tariff of 27.5% rather than the 10% tariff for British-built cars.

I expect Porsche's electric Boxster will beat MG's electric drop-top to market.
 
insightman said:
It's good you prefer the MG because MINI admits their British-built electric convertible is just a styling exercise, not intended for production. I assume MINI didn't bother to spend the development bucks to make a convertible version of the MINI Cooper SE because Plant Oxford was never able to build enough of the Hardtop SEs to keep up with demand.

The British-built MINI Electric has nearly reached the end of its run as MINI is teaming up with Chinese manufacturer Great Wall Motor to build the 2024 MINI Cooper SE in China. Unfortunately, not only will the Chinese-built SE not qualify for the revised $7,500 federal EV tax credit, but it will be subject to a US import tariff of 27.5% rather than the 10% tariff for British-built cars.

I expect Porsche's electric Boxster will beat MG's electric drop-top to market.
Click to expand...

Here’s hoping that the MG is made in Britain. I think allowances are made for countries with a free-trade agreement with the US and I have to assume that includes Britain. Maybe I’m wrong there, I certainly don’t understand all the nuances of the new bill.

The Porsche is another beautiful car, but too rich for my blood with or without a tax credit.


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