Electric vehicles have many advantages over their gas-powered counterparts. They are ecologically sound, much cheaper to operate and require almost no routine maintenance. But they can also cost twice as much just to drive off the showroom floor. Ambitious do-it-yourselvers, however, can enjoy the clean-running convenience of an electric car for half the price of the most affordable Chevrolet or Toyota. This money-saving guide explains step by step how to build an inexpensive EV from a kit or from an existing internal combustion engine chassis. It begins with a look at the history of electric vehicles, from vintage tyrn-of-the-century Baker Electric automobiles to current international advances in EV technology, and a look ahead at the future of EV development. Then, Bob Brant embarks on a chapter-by-chapter building-block description of each EV component: motor, drive train, controllers, power supplies, chargers and chassis. Final chapters pull it all together with clear instructions for assembling an electric car from scratch or kit, with advice on where to find low-cost EV supplies and systems.
Build Your Own Electric Vehicle
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
The advantages of electric vehicles (EVs) are well-known: nonpolluting operation, a renewable power source, safety, and low cost of operation. The disadvantages include limitations on speed, operating range, and convenience as well as the high cost of converting existing vehicles to electric operation; while acknowledging such other disadvantages as lack of effective heating, air conditioning, and power steering, EV advocate Brant says some of the best-known ones are myths. Speed, for instance, is related to body weight, and less weight means more speed. (Weight is, however, also a factor in safety: lighter weight often means less safety, especially in collisions, and Brant doesn't mention the collision factor.) Brant provides comprehensive instruction in converting a vehicle to electric power. It is not for the casual hobbyist, though, as is evident in such features as formulas for divining the potential top-end speeds of specific EVs--a precise system to answer questions of speed, but hardly the simple ballpark figure casual readers interested in exploring EVs' possibilities might want. Mike Tribby
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
41 of 43 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This 310 page book is more than its title implies. It is an
excellent source of information, even if one is just
interested in learning more about the subject of electric
vehicles. Mr Brant's credentials include a degree in
engineering, and having worked on the Lunar Rover.
He begins his book by exploring the appropriateness of the
electric vehicle from an environmental standpoint. He
then quickly reviews the history of the EV, from the
mid 1800's to the present. He does a good job of surveying
the current (as of late 1993) crop of electic vehicle
producers, as well as the plans of the major auto makers
for electrics.
Brant devots a chapter to the options available to the
person who wants to own an electric vehicle today: Buy
a ready to run car from a manufacturer or converter, have
one built or converted for you, or do the conversion
yourself. One option that he seems to largely discount is
the option of buying a used EV. Although such vehicles
can be somewhat hard to find, especially away from large
cities on the coasts, they can put a person into an EV
for much less money and work than any other alternative.
As you might expect from the book's title Brant favors
the self-conversion option. He compares the various types
of motor vehicles as conversion options; passenger cars,
vans, and small pickup trucks. His conclusion, that a
small pickup truck might be the easiest to convert, while
giving the best range, seems a valid one, as long as a
small pickup meets your needs, and suits your style.
Chapter 5 is an excellent reference listing suppliers,
EV clubs, and various converters and manufacturers.
With Chapter 6 Brant begins the real meat of the book.
He presents formulae and charts that allow you predict
the performance of the vehicle you choose for conversion,
and pick the size of motor and batteries that you will
need.
The next chapters are devoted to each of the unique
systems of an EV in some detail: Electric motors,
controllers, batteries, and chargers. To this reviewer,
these chapters are the most valuable, and make this book
useful to anyone with an interest in Electric Vehicles.
The current state of the art is reviewed for each of these
systems in some detail and with an eye toward practical
maintanence and selection, and upcoming technology is also
covered.
Surprisingly, only one chapter of the book covers
the actual conversion process. Although there is probably
enough detail here for the experienced home mechanic or
mechanically inclined individual, someone who has never
pulled an engine out of a car, or done other major repairs
on his own, will probably need more help; especially if
his conversion is not of a small pickup truck.
All-in-all there is a lot of good information in this
book, and it is a vital addition to the library of any
would-be electric vehicle converter, owner or pipe
dreamer..
excellent source of information, even if one is just
interested in learning more about the subject of electric
vehicles. Mr Brant's credentials include a degree in
engineering, and having worked on the Lunar Rover.
He begins his book by exploring the appropriateness of the
electric vehicle from an environmental standpoint. He
then quickly reviews the history of the EV, from the
mid 1800's to the present. He does a good job of surveying
the current (as of late 1993) crop of electic vehicle
producers, as well as the plans of the major auto makers
for electrics.
Brant devots a chapter to the options available to the
person who wants to own an electric vehicle today: Buy
a ready to run car from a manufacturer or converter, have
one built or converted for you, or do the conversion
yourself. One option that he seems to largely discount is
the option of buying a used EV. Although such vehicles
can be somewhat hard to find, especially away from large
cities on the coasts, they can put a person into an EV
for much less money and work than any other alternative.
As you might expect from the book's title Brant favors
the self-conversion option. He compares the various types
of motor vehicles as conversion options; passenger cars,
vans, and small pickup trucks. His conclusion, that a
small pickup truck might be the easiest to convert, while
giving the best range, seems a valid one, as long as a
small pickup meets your needs, and suits your style.
Chapter 5 is an excellent reference listing suppliers,
EV clubs, and various converters and manufacturers.
With Chapter 6 Brant begins the real meat of the book.
He presents formulae and charts that allow you predict
the performance of the vehicle you choose for conversion,
and pick the size of motor and batteries that you will
need.
The next chapters are devoted to each of the unique
systems of an EV in some detail: Electric motors,
controllers, batteries, and chargers. To this reviewer,
these chapters are the most valuable, and make this book
useful to anyone with an interest in Electric Vehicles.
The current state of the art is reviewed for each of these
systems in some detail and with an eye toward practical
maintanence and selection, and upcoming technology is also
covered.
Surprisingly, only one chapter of the book covers
the actual conversion process. Although there is probably
enough detail here for the experienced home mechanic or
mechanically inclined individual, someone who has never
pulled an engine out of a car, or done other major repairs
on his own, will probably need more help; especially if
his conversion is not of a small pickup truck.
All-in-all there is a lot of good information in this
book, and it is a vital addition to the library of any
would-be electric vehicle converter, owner or pipe
dreamer..
66 of 78 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I think Bob Brant really wants to help you build an electric vehicle. I feel, however that his engineering background causes him to "talk down" to the reader, who thinks " It can't be really as complex as all this ! All these formulas , etc ! " How do we know the "flux level" for a motor we buy at a garage sale ? I am too old to get an engineering degree !
Lots of "shade tree" mechanics ( like me ) will have to look further for more practical information.Such as - a 10 HP motor in a Geo Metro will be fine for trips to the grocery store but no good for highway use. Also errors have crept in, and the schematic diagrams are incomplete and puzzling. Of course, the book was published nine years ago, and technology has advanced in the EV industry, as in everything else
Lots of "shade tree" mechanics ( like me ) will have to look further for more practical information.Such as - a 10 HP motor in a Geo Metro will be fine for trips to the grocery store but no good for highway use. Also errors have crept in, and the schematic diagrams are incomplete and puzzling. Of course, the book was published nine years ago, and technology has advanced in the EV industry, as in everything else
25 of 29 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
This book is a great reference for anyone interested in the trade offs when creating an electric vehicle.
This is focussed on someone who wants to convert an internal combustion car to an electric vehicle, but if you are interested in understanding EV's in general it is a good resource, though it is pretty detailed and technical.
If you are not technically inclined you shouldn't despair, though it is clear that if you are not handy, EV conversion might be VERY difficult. This book will allow you to at least begin to understand the tradeoffs and how to create a conversion system.
All around great reference.
This is focussed on someone who wants to convert an internal combustion car to an electric vehicle, but if you are interested in understanding EV's in general it is a good resource, though it is pretty detailed and technical.
If you are not technically inclined you shouldn't despair, though it is clear that if you are not handy, EV conversion might be VERY difficult. This book will allow you to at least begin to understand the tradeoffs and how to create a conversion system.
All around great reference.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Build your own Electric Vehicle
I was certain I would like to see how a electric car was constructed but i was disappointed
to see actual hands on construction was not shown,basically what the components do... Read more
to see actual hands on construction was not shown,basically what the components do... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Gerald Alan Richards
Outdated
Bateries and chargers and controler options have changed too much in the last 20 years. Some usful information,but I couldnt find a more updated book.
Published 13 months ago by Todd Spinti
Build your own electric vehicle
The book was OK, but I expected a step by step of how to build an electric vehicle not an over view of what goes in to building an electric car. Read more
Published 13 months ago by PS
Limited usefulness
I am interested in a from scratch build, and I have undergraduate level knowledge of EM physics and EE.
Very folksy style, lots of preaching. Read more
Very folksy style, lots of preaching. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Richard Clay
quite informative
If you are considering converting a vehicle to electric drive , this book gives the equations needed to optimize the motor to body and battery capacity needed . Read more
Published 18 months ago by William A. Mackenroth
great information guide
This book gives a clear understanding of Electric vehicles and every subject concerning E-vehicles is talked about in a clear way. Highly recommended
Published 19 months ago by Markcycle
Invaluable information!
Information galore! I found this book to very interesting and easy to read. The perspective on how the electric vehicle is beneficaial from an enviornmental standpoint is... Read more
Published 19 months ago by suk bong yoon
Build Your Own Electric Vehicle
This book goes in great detail on how to build your own electric vehicle(EV). They go from designing your own chassis to conversions. Great book! Read more
Published 20 months ago by Mario Bermudez
Few changes from the first version
This is a great guide and the first edition would be rated much higher by me. I consider this to be the best book on conversions. Read more
Published 22 months ago by David J. Hrivnak
Pretty good
This book is pretty good. It covers the basics of EV building. My main issue with it is that it has become woefully out of date. Read more
Published on May 1, 2010 by J. J. Marino
Inside This Book
(learn more)
First Sentence:
Why buy, convert, or build an electric vehicle today? Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
electric vehicle conversion, equalizing charging, cumulative compound motor, own electric vehicle, electric vehicle manufacturers, pickup conversion, internal combustion powered vehicles, internal combustion engine vehicles, different vehicle speeds, rolling resistance force, shunt motor, conversion vehicle, internal combustion vehicles, electric vehicle technology, electric vehicles, motor solution, aerodynamic drag force, controller solution, conversion today, charging cycle, total drag force, sulfate radicals, drag torque, vehicle chassis, battery weight Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Ford Ranger, Los Angeles, General Motors, Jim Harris, World War, Electric Auto Association, New York, Solar Electric, Standard Oil, Southern California, Department of Energy, Geo Metro, Henry Ford, Lunar Rover, Exxon Valdez, Ford Ecostar, Services Inc, Basic Kit, Detroit Electric, Dodge Dakota, Popular Science, Automotive Engineering, Darwin Gross, Electric Vehicle Council New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Why buy, convert, or build an electric vehicle today? Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
electric vehicle conversion, equalizing charging, cumulative compound motor, own electric vehicle, electric vehicle manufacturers, pickup conversion, internal combustion powered vehicles, internal combustion engine vehicles, different vehicle speeds, rolling resistance force, shunt motor, conversion vehicle, internal combustion vehicles, electric vehicle technology, electric vehicles, motor solution, aerodynamic drag force, controller solution, conversion today, charging cycle, total drag force, sulfate radicals, drag torque, vehicle chassis, battery weight Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, Ford Ranger, Los Angeles, General Motors, Jim Harris, World War, Electric Auto Association, New York, Solar Electric, Standard Oil, Southern California, Department of Energy, Geo Metro, Henry Ford, Lunar Rover, Exxon Valdez, Ford Ecostar, Services Inc, Basic Kit, Detroit Electric, Dodge Dakota, Popular Science, Automotive Engineering, Darwin Gross, Electric Vehicle Council New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
Citations (learn more)
This book cites 15
books:
See all 15 books this book cites
2
books
cite this book:
- Universal Key by Darwin Gross on page 41, and page 108
- George Westinghouse (The Lives to Remember Series) by Henry Thomas on page 46
- Coming of Age by G. Wayne Miller in Back Matter
- Your Right to Choose by Darwin Gross in Back Matter
- Convert Your Compact Car to Electric by Clyde R. Jones on page 125
See all 15 books this book cites
- Motor Control Electronics Handbook by Richard Valentine on page 221
- Electric Dreams: One Unlikely Team of Kids and the Race to Build the Car of the Future by Caroline Kettlewell in Back Matter
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