Parts for building an electric mini car(not street legal).

2433 Views 42 Replies 10 Participants Last post by Functional Artist, 2 mo ago

SG23

I would like to build a smaller mini car, about the size that kids would drive and I'm not looking for it to be street legal. Most of the posts on here are for conversions, but I want to do this from scratch and design the frame/chassis myself and buy the rest of the components. This is my first electric car project, and so far the parts I think I will need are. I would like to make it a sports car/Corvette style, and I have experience in 3D designing the frame & chassis, so I am not too worried about that.

Chassis
Motors
Battery
Axle
Differential
BMS
ECU
Suspension
Wheel
Tires
Motor Controller
Steering system

I'm sure this is not a comprehensive list, so please let me know if I am missing something crucial. I have had no luck getting a guide on building one either, so if you know of one I would appreciate that.

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remy_martian

· #9 · 3 mo ago

You can't legally run more than ~6mph on sidewalks and 35 in residential. 55????

When you say "kids", how old is the youngest neighbor friend or cousin that visits? The reason I'm asking is we'll get to be pals over the coming months as you build this kart and I hate sending flowers.

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remy_martian

· #12 · 3 mo ago

Yup - butt an inch off the ground multiplies perceived speed by 3-4x

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remy_martian

· #14 · 3 mo ago

45 miles of range at 13 hp means 120lb or so of Lithium battery, close to 250lb of LiFePO4.

Now it's a buggy...

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remy_martian

· #20 · 3 mo ago

You can't have what cars have for extra margin - it's weight and space that gives you top speed in an EV.

Everything gets huge in a hurry, then you need frames to handle the weight and doubled pack power, axles, driveline, chain size, blah blah blah.

Even your range is on the silly side of weight. Go 20 minutes, swap the pack out...don't carry range reserve like you're about to cross the Donner Pass.