Hi all. I hope this is the right forum.

I've been wanting to do an electric conversion for a little while now, and after much deliberation I've decided that the best donor vehicle would be a Mini - small, light, good handling, passanger seats, ect. My other choice was a bike, but a bike sadly lacks much in the way of cargo capacity (for batteries, passengers, or shopping).


So I would like to find an older-style round-nose Mini to convert to electric (that counts as an engine conversion, right?), but first I'd like some info from you experts. How much fuel does a mini use per km? How far can you usually go on a tank? That sort of thing - I've been tracking my fuel costs and such for my current car, but it's a Subaru Outback so the figures probably won't be the best for a before and after comparison.


I'm not quite ready to actually buy the donor vehicle yet (I'll probably post a want-ad in the appropriate forum when the time comes - there seems to be a lack of Minis for sale in Perth, from what I've seen. ), but I need some numbers to crunch so I can convince the missus it's worth it.


Thanks for your help, guys.

Thal

there is a thread somewhere on the forum soewhere, do a search i am sure you will find it

hard, but possible me thinks

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78 Leyland Mini - Prince

I think I've read that thread, I found that yellow english Mini there, I think.

I know it won't be easy. But petrol stations have been pissing me off lately, so it'd be worth it. And, y'know, it's fun to have a good sized project to keep you busy.

Something that I've always wanted to do, but pricey $$$$
(and of course I have too may projects already)

Good luck, & make sure you read the NCOP for electric vehicles as part of your research. Might also suggest that a moke, ute or van (in that order) would make the best choice as commecrial vehicles they will cope with the batteries better.

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Too many cars, and too little time.

maybe worth a look http://www.comminication.com/

hope you don't mind the language

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Rover 214 atm ....

I've been thinking about this topic reciently aswell My idea was to have the bateries up front and have the motor in the boot or depending on size under the rear seat, cut into the cab for clearance Keep us posted on your research into batteries, motors, drivetrain set up etc etc.

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

Even with the Mini's small engine bay, you should be able to fit at least one or two batteries up front. Most conversions I've seen have split the batteries up like that, to help with weight distribution. Though that depends on how big your batteries are, I guess. heh.

A van or ute would be good, but I'll probably end up having the little spawnling in the car too, so a back seat is needed. Even though mostly it would be driven to work, having the option to use it is better, I think.

heh Sadly I don't speak German, but those are nice cars. A dad of a friend of mine from highschool had a cooper (S, I think?) fibreglass kit mini. It was great - fabric doors and everything. Could touch the ground while sitting in the seat (though I was a short-arse back then, so it was easier ). The weight saving would help alot, too.

My schedule may be pushed ahead, or further back, since my subaru has decided it doesn't like it's gearbox anymore. Or thrown a diff. Or something. I'd convert it, but it's larger, so more expensive. And I'd have to go for a fancy hub-motor AC system like this if I was going to convert my beloved Outback. (even if it is a POS at times)

Thanks for the encouragement, folks! I almost thought I'd be chased away for heresy or something, mutilating a mini like that.

Have a read of this story.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 82,00.html

And these guys do kits.
http://www.electroauto.com/

Love kombi utes
http://www.electroauto.com/gallery/singlecab.shtml

75 and 80km per hour is'nt what I want in a mini If I had an electric mini it would need to be the same or better power and range wise. Idealy I'd want over 60bhp so long as the car still weighs the same and a range of 200-300km per charge this may be aiming high but I still want to have fun, after all that's the point of mining

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Respect mine and I'll respect yours.

I didn't know that guy in Adelaide existed! *saves link*

Thanks!



I'm hoping to get at the very least 80 or 90km/h out of my EV, since the speed limit along my way to work is 80 max. Ideally I'd like to go over 110, so I could go anywhere (I may have said this before, but I belive if you can't make the speed limit you shouldn't take that particular road. Scooters crap me for this reason). But as far as range goes, I'm not going to expect similar range to an ICE mini. (How far can you go to a tank normally, anyway?)

I could, in theory, get close. But that'd be expensive lithium batteries, and I don't think I could justify that to the missus, when this little monster is just supposed to get me to and from work.

kombi does 65 mph. Thats 105Km

that's me out...



and about 90% of the sydney ausmini users...

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check out the other links people. They seem to be able to get more speed and distance out of it. the guy in adelaide did the whole conversion for 8K including a full respray so i guess you can get better technology if you are willing to pay for it.
David C.

that's WA


and the speed limit in residential areas is 50 Kph

(or so I've been told)

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Too many cars, and too little time.

Sure, but there are other alternatives.

Read this......................

http://www.teslamotors.com/index.php

I reckon that an electric mini could be a good performer and be frugile at the same time.

Cheers,
Tricky

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"Not Speeding Officer..........Qualifying"