[kd2dhp]

Greetings!
I have a 1988 Plymouth Reliant which has been sitting in my garage for years. I was going to swap in a Turbo I 2.2 powertrain, but an EV conversion is looking more interesting. I think it would be a good candidate for conversion given:
Low curb weight (2,500lbs)
Low, wide chassis.
Rated for 1,000lbs payload
5 speed overdrive manual transmission, manual steering and brakes
Nothing wrong with the car outside of the engine

Performance isn't a high priority, but I'd like it to be capable of 75MPH.
It should have a 50 mile range at a minimum, but the more the better
Probably a NiMH cell based battery, rather than lithium to avoid complex charging circuitry and metal fires

Budget?
I already have the car which needs minimal reconditioning. I should be able to get $2k for the turbo drivetrain so that's my budget.

Thoughts, opinions, criticisms?

Thanks!
Joe

 

[remy_martian]

Yet another "not lithium battery" spec...do you know how much a NiMH battery weighs?? Costs???? That it is just as complex to charge?

You might buy an electric motor for $2k...

 

[Kato659]

With that budget, I would go with the turbo 2.2. Batteries might cost 6 times what the car would sell for (nothing against the Reliant). Plus motor, inverter, charger, wire, various contactors, switches, connectors. Good luck, whatever you decide.