The EV Curveball
Welcome back to guest blogger Andrew Grin ...
[caption id="attachment_1574" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Andrew Grin and his modified Hyundai Tuscon"]
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As a new driver, learning on the roads of Kansas City, I pass by Suburbans and Tahoes on a daily basis.
"Who Killed the Electric Car?" made me realize the huge impact that these big SUV’s have on our environment and our country. The film inspired me then as a young 14 year-old to take a stand against the flawed status quo. At that moment I made a promise to myself to never call a gas car my own. I have stuck by that promise, and am now the proud owner of a newly converted 2005 Hyundai Tucson electric vehicle.
The first question anyone asks after turning 16 is 'Did you get your license yet?' - which ultimately leads to 'What kind of car are you driving?' In the midst of conversations during lunch about engines and audio systems, I like to throw in my curveball : "I drive an electric car." Some have no clue what I am talking about, while the car junkies have heard of plug-in hybrids like the Chevy Volt. The usual questions that follow are "how far?" and "how fast?"
Very simply, the Tucson travels far enough for my daily needs (about 50 miles), and it can travel up to highway speeds (75+). I love answering questions, and, after hearing me talk, almost no one doubts the viability of a plug-in car.
The Suburbans of my middle American town are going to have to get used to me rolling by in my converted electric car. The future is coming, not only in the form of a sporty Tesla, or any brand new car, but also something for the average America. A converted electric car.
7 Comments
Andrew,
Fantastic! We live in PV, and have been driving electric for years. First, a Solectria Force, and the past two years, we added a Zap Xebra. Love to talk to you and your family!
How much did the conversion & donor vehicle cost? What type/kwh of batteries & motor did you use?
Andrew,
They’re both factory EV’s. The Solectria has 13 12 volts and the Zap has 6 12 volts.
The Solectria is and A/C and the Zap a D/C. We charge both on regular 120 Volt 15 amp circuits. Our additional electricity usage each month is $5.00 per car. We also buy 1250 Kwh’s of wind energy each month from Bonneville Environmental Foundation.
Karen
Karen thats great! I would love to get a factory ev as soon as they run off the line. All depends on how much and who ever can get it out the door first…
Matt, I had it converted by Wayne in Newton, Kansas. More information about his conversions are at http://www.ev-blue.com. Additionally NBC did a story on him and his business, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGnnaGsygM4
Andrew, that is a nice looking car. I didn’t even know there was a vehicle named after Tucson. By the way, your photo caption reads ” Andrew Grin and his modified Hyundai Tuscon”. Tucson is spelled wrong on it…should be “c” before “s”. You have it correct in the rest of the text. Common mistake and I know this only because I live in Tucson.
I attended an alternative energy conference here yesterday and talked to Chris.
They had a few electric cars on display. Tucson (Pima County…see my link) is one of the cities Nissan is rolling out their electric cars to next year. Ford had a big honking SUV (all electric) on display at 31-34 mileage per charge. It was very different seeing all the options available now compared to 2003 when I was looking for an electric car.
Matt, I had it converted by Wayne in Newton, Kansas. More information about his conversions are at http://www.ev-blue.com. Additionally NBC did a story on him and his business,
I think this is a roundabout way of saying “A lot…a whole lot”.
I went to EV-Blue’s website. Interesting FAQ:
Additional $15,000 to $18,000.
Karen thats great! I would love to get a factory ev as soon as they run off the line. All depends on how much and who ever can get it out the door first…
http://rentalcar.kaiserdealxa.com/
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[...] I’m hoping readers will write a comment to Andrew Grin. We need a lot more 10th-graders like him. Here he is with his “converted 2005 Hyundai Tucson electric vehicle” (details here). [...]