[Nic]

I saw a leaf this weekend. Still not my cup of tea, but it was definitely more attractive in person.

[hashyo]

i think we have to wait few more years for EV prices to compete with conventional cars and then we'll probably see the end of DIY as a need. DIY will still be a hobby
Leaf may be affordable, but not where i live, not for me. Not yet, i hope
And yes, it's kinda ugly, but Chevy Volt seems ok to me

[evblazer]

When the hybrids first came out it was the death of a DIY EV for some people. The president of my former local chapter of the EAA who had a few EV's and then bought a prius told us all at a meeting if the Prius was a few years earlier he'd never have an EV. My wife and I had a prius and that isn't how we felt but everyones situation is different.

There were dozens of project cars in my area that were abandoned and sold on the cheap as well as completed DIY and people went to the prius or insight.

Now we have a "readily" available electric car with a long range compared to most DIY plus a plug in hybrid that can be run on batteries probably for a longer range than many DIY. It'll knock down people who only had a DIY or maybe a converted by a local company EV to sell them and pickup a Volt or Leaf. Might be a good time to pickup a well done conversion or project car on the cheap?

[newenergy]

I'm a solar installer and have been hearing clients talking about Leafs for a while now. Starting to seem them in the garages now - the last two jobs in a row.

I'm still doing my conversions.

[CrazyAl]

Hi,

Nissan have not produced enough Leafs to satisfy the worlds wide demand for Electric Cars.

In many parts of the world, the modified car scene is a sizable niche. If the car makers make more Electric Cars, then we might see a new niche of modified and hotted up Electric Cars. We may see power upgrades, motor upgrades, battery pack upgrades.

Kind Regards
CrazyAl

[dtbaker]

Originally Posted by hardym

I cant belive that anyone is still considering converting their own. The prices I've seen for chinese LifePO4 that can get you on a highway for 50+ miles is $10-15K.

wellllll.... I have perfectly good Swift-based EV with 50 mile range for $11k ($5k in batteries) and 150 hours of labor.... seems like there is still a DIY market compared to closer to $40k (includin home charger statin) as soon as the first-500k units rebate is over.

I think there will be a 'classic and hotrod' DIY market well afte rthere is a DIY suB-$20K vehicle available.... but I hope that waits till people have installed more PV/wind power generation!

[PhantomPholly]

Originally Posted by dtbaker

wellllll.... I have perfectly good Swift-based EV with 50 mile range for $11k ($5k in batteries) and 150 hours of labor.... seems like there is still a DIY market compared to closer to $40k (includin home charger statin) as soon as the first-500k units rebate is over.

I think there will be a 'classic and hotrod' DIY market well afte rthere is a DIY suB-$20K vehicle available.... but I hope that waits till people have installed more PV/wind power generation!

I agree - as battery and controller prices come down, rebuilds will continue to be attractive to many people (especially us tinkerers).

Too, some cars simply aren't available as an EV. If you want "that car," it will be the only way to have it for some time to come.

[hbthink]

My 83 VW Rabbit Cabriolet has two major advantages over the Leaf

1. Topless

2. Has a real spare tire, the Leaf has nothing for $35K you call AAA or get stuck!

and obviously

3. much less $$$ to operate and insure.

Steve

[favguy]

I finally got to look over a leaf and test drive it at the weekend. Initial thoughts were it's pretty impressive. I don't personally like the look of it much, or the light coloured interior, or the lack of sunroof option, but it drove superbly and the engineering is undoubtedly excellent.

I think it's too expensive at present to threaten the DIY scene, but if prices fall and VW etc. bring out competitors that might look a little more palatable, I think we'll start to see falling away of self build EV's.

I noticed, ex demonstator Leafs can be bought in the UK now for less than £20,000 with around 3,000 miles on them, and i reckon you'd struggle to match the Leaf specs. on a self build using new parts for much less than that, not even allowing for time input.

What really got me thinking is what a nice comprehensive "kit" a wrecked Leaf would make. Before too long one or two are bound to make it through to the salvage auctions!! If they compare to ICE salvage, £4,000 should get a nice one with a cosmetically well wrecked body shell!!

[dtbaker]

Originally Posted by favguy

What really got me thinking is what a nice comprehensive "kit" a wrecked Leaf would make. Before too long one or two are bound to make it through to the salvage auctions!! If they compare to ICE salvage, £4,000 should get a nice one with a cosmetically well wrecked body shell!!

unless batteries short from impact and the whole thing bursts into flames. just kidding.