93 replies to this topic

[Alice Dooper]

Can't see the point in converting any true classic car to electric. A classic car is just that -  a retro-driving experience for the fun of driving as it used to be in the 1960's.
 
Imagine an electric E-Type or an electric Austin A35.
 
If you want an electric car there are plenty to choose from.

Very true or me. Be fun from an engineering point of view though. I can really appreciate the level of work and skill some people pour into custom projects. Project Binky rests my case. Thank goodness there’s enough Minis around to keep us all happy.

[Mini-dude]

Project Binky rests my case. Thank goodness theres enough Minis around to keep us all happy.

Project binky is my show lol love that mini build, i am dying to finally see it move under its own power

Edited by Mini-dude, 28 February 2018 - 11:14 PM.

[superchiwawa]

 

There is a much more simple reason than this why they arn't likely to be viable for everyone for a significant amount of time if ever, its the electricity network that serves everyones homes.

 

Put simply if you live on a housing estate chance are that you and several hundred other houses are fed from the same local substation, our local network operator allow an average load of 2.2kw per house for a standard sized house with non electric heating (i.e. gas), this has worked for years on the basis that when you have your 9kw shower on your not cooking with your 6kw hob but someone else is and then someone else isn;t using their 2.2kw allowance and overall it balances out.  If the load on the transformer is slightly above its rating ocassionaly then that is acceptable.

 

If everyone has an electric car, arrives home some time from 5pm onwards, puts it on charge overnight then the network will be overloaded as a typical car charger is at least 3kw and most now want a minimum of 6kw to charge in a reasonable period.

 

Put simply if you have one its fine if everyone has one the system will be overloaded.

 

As an example where I work we have a site with 110 properties and gas fired boilers in each one, we looked at an electrically powered heating scheme using an air source heatpump with a load of 6kw to each unit and we needed to spend 70k reinforcing the infrastructure to our site.  Multiply that across the country and its big money which the electricity network providers don't have and the end consumers won't pay for it.

 

 

Yeah I didn't mention it but that too is another point. If they start pushing electric cars on us because of ever tighter emissions regulations, expect the price of electricity to rise according to usual supply and demand valuations. On the other hand, now might be a wise time to invest in solar panels for your home and be a grid producer and not consumer, or a least protect yourself from future price hikes. Life money considerations... :)

Edited by superchiwawa, 01 March 2018 - 12:08 PM.

[Mini-dude]

On the other hand, now might be a wise time to invest in solar panels for your home and be a grid producer and not consumer, or a least protect yourself from future price hikes. Life money considerations... :)

Even buying solar panels is not so easy, you also have to consider the payback period, which is several years or unforeseen accident like one braking.

Edited by Mini-dude, 02 March 2018 - 06:00 AM.

[Big Sam]

Why focus on the grid? More and more homes are producing their own power. I know if i was to purchase solar for my house it would be paid of within 12 years. Now i'm not going to do that on this house, but the next house i buy it'll be immediately added to the building.

 

New build estates should look to being power neutral with solar panels fitted wherever.

[Cooperman]

It will be a bit difficult to re-charge overnight using solar panels on your roof.
At night it is dark!

[Mini-dude]

That what battery are for. I think he means charge the batteries during the day and deplete them during the night

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Edited by Mini-dude, 04 March 2018 - 11:01 PM.

[Big Sam]

It will be a bit difficult to re-charge overnight using solar panels on your roof.
At night it is dark!

 

Batteries most certainly.

 

[Mini-dude]

 
Batteries most certainly.
 

Did they mention the price for the unit? I watch it but may have missed it, looks like a good setup.

Edited by Mini-dude, 11 March 2018 - 12:20 AM.

[carbonman]

18 years of paying ppi and it went on that.. Id say a lot!

[Retroman]

Don't get me wrong its an excellent idea overall, and with a few tweeks and a factor of ten price drop will be a lot more viable.

 

The Tesla 2 is 5K + 5% vat if fitted with solar, retro fitted its +20% vat. Just crunching some ball park figures on the cost without any grid payback the battery and solar (20K) comes out at 400 plus per quarter, over 15 years and then you have to have a dual or full electric car at say 30k plus on top. All 3 have somewhat limited lifespan with decreasing outputs and abilities. The car has a limited range, and some are slow. Ideal for town driving.

  Have any of the 3 (solar array, house batteries and electric cars) got a 15 year life?

  I don't doubt there are applications, but for most its not viable for various reasons, I can't see usage being 15% of cars.

As I have said previously its pointless unless it can be charged with non nuclear renewable energy.

Where do you dispose of the batteries when they die? Can a lithium battery be recycled ?

Where have all the old electric milk floats gone...to Benny hills battery graveyard in the sky....hahah

Just like all the old electric cars from 100 plus years ago you don't see them doing the L to B run.

LPG is a lot more use.

And I for one will stick to carbs on a Mini, like me, simples.

[Mini-dude]

As for the battery lasting those duty cycles for 15 years? I am doubtful of that. I won't be making an electric Mini any time soon but it is fun to see the option. At least electric is better then the concept of the 50s to have nuclear cars lol

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Edited by Mini-dude, 11 March 2018 - 03:40 AM.

[Big Sam]

18 years of paying ppi and it went on that.. Id say a lot!

 

True, but thats because its niche.

 

Now imagine if the government took a stand and said to these massive house building corps building 2,000 houses at a time: "every house to have solar panels, rain water collection top spec insulation and battery pack"

 

You go from getting people buying these in odd numbers to massive companies buying them in absolutely massive numbers, factories can ramp up production, more investment and cost per item goes down. Its exactly why Tesla has gone down the lorry route, get the companies with the bigger buying power to subsidise the car side.

[Angusdog]

Putting aside the arguments about whether the grid can sustain charging, viability and discussing electric planes, I am seriously looking into converting our Clubman Estate to electric.

 

Given the number of electric vehicle conversions (I followed a converted Rav4 the other day), I'd have thought someone would have done mini by now - they seem to be ideal, but aside from the US guy on here who started with a car that already had a Suzuki engine swap, I can't find any other conversions. I recall an Australian guy who did it a couple of years ago with videos etc, but can't find him on tinternet*.

 

It's such a straightforward job (in my head, so far... :) ): Remove everything petrol related down to the top of the gearbox, install electron-shuffling bits, smile.

 

The only thing I haven't found is how to reliably hook the AC motor (gotta have regen braking) to the input of the gearbox. Chain drive would seem to be a recipe for disaster.

 

* <edit> Found 'im: Things have moved on in the last 12 years.

Edited by Angusdog, 20 March 2018 - 05:53 AM.

[Angusdog]

I've been googling and here's how one guy mated the motor to the box.

 

 

 

Now we're getting somewhere.

Edited by Angusdog, 20 March 2018 - 06:04 AM.