I love the idea of having my very own Electric Vehicle to tool around on. I have been following the technology and costs for years just waiting for the moment when I would be able to join the ranks of Environmentalists Warriors.
However, I have a few caveats, as I am sure many people do.
First, I want a cool EV! Not some butt ugly Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, Mitsubishi i, or Ford Focus. Or some 1970's Honda with 2 12v Lead Acid Batteries powering a golfcart engine strapped in with zip ties and bailing wire, or a crazy looking race bike that only gets 20 minutes to a charge. I kid you not
, search DIY electric motorcycles and these seem to be the only two builds going.
I want an EV that doesn't cost me twice as much to purchase or build as a comparable Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Vehicle.
I want an EV that will get up and go when I want to get up and went, I am willing to sacrifice crazy top end speed and mileage, but it has got to at least do 100 mph and get a 100 miles per charge and turn 0-60 and 1/4 mile numbers that are comparable to an ICE Vehicle. Not because I am some wild man racer, but just because every once in a while I get a wild hair and want to have a little fun, heck it's why I ride motorcycles to begin with. If I don't like it I wont drive or ride it.
When Brammo introduced the Empulse in three models ranging from $9,995 to $13,995 with a top speed of 100 mph for all three models and a 60 to 100 mile per charge range depending on the model, all I could think was, 'Cool! It's just a matter of time before I can convert my bike.'
To that end, I started burning up the internet, lurked in and finally joined DIY Electric Car Forum, muddled through the DIY's and the How-To's, learned myself on the components necessary, the motor size needed, the battery pack needed, etc. Began pricing it all out....
Are you kidding me, a 40Kw motor and a 96v 200Ah Battery Pack (the minimum motor and power I would need to achieve 100 mph and 100 mile range) are going to run me $10,000, that doesn't even include the controller, charger, throttle, instrumentation, auxillary power set up for lights and blinkers. I'm not even counting labor, as a confirmed modder, I was looking forward to that part.
What is it going to take to get us to the point that the average Joe can put together a descent EV ride
And just for the record, to all of those that think we modders are dumb and should just go out and buy the bike/vehicle that meets our needs. Well I don't have deep pockets, good for you if you do, but more importantly, I like MY bike, I want to keep MY bike, I just want to have MY bike. I like the Brammo, but it's not MY bike :Flip:
However, I have a few caveats, as I am sure many people do.
First, I want a cool EV! Not some butt ugly Toyota Prius, Nissan Leaf, Chevy Volt, Mitsubishi i, or Ford Focus. Or some 1970's Honda with 2 12v Lead Acid Batteries powering a golfcart engine strapped in with zip ties and bailing wire, or a crazy looking race bike that only gets 20 minutes to a charge. I kid you not
, search DIY electric motorcycles and these seem to be the only two builds going.I want an EV that doesn't cost me twice as much to purchase or build as a comparable Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Vehicle.
I want an EV that will get up and go when I want to get up and went, I am willing to sacrifice crazy top end speed and mileage, but it has got to at least do 100 mph and get a 100 miles per charge and turn 0-60 and 1/4 mile numbers that are comparable to an ICE Vehicle. Not because I am some wild man racer, but just because every once in a while I get a wild hair and want to have a little fun, heck it's why I ride motorcycles to begin with. If I don't like it I wont drive or ride it.
When Brammo introduced the Empulse in three models ranging from $9,995 to $13,995 with a top speed of 100 mph for all three models and a 60 to 100 mile per charge range depending on the model, all I could think was, 'Cool! It's just a matter of time before I can convert my bike.'
To that end, I started burning up the internet, lurked in and finally joined DIY Electric Car Forum, muddled through the DIY's and the How-To's, learned myself on the components necessary, the motor size needed, the battery pack needed, etc. Began pricing it all out....
Are you kidding me, a 40Kw motor and a 96v 200Ah Battery Pack (the minimum motor and power I would need to achieve 100 mph and 100 mile range) are going to run me $10,000, that doesn't even include the controller, charger, throttle, instrumentation, auxillary power set up for lights and blinkers. I'm not even counting labor, as a confirmed modder, I was looking forward to that part.What is it going to take to get us to the point that the average Joe can put together a descent EV ride
And just for the record, to all of those that think we modders are dumb and should just go out and buy the bike/vehicle that meets our needs. Well I don't have deep pockets, good for you if you do, but more importantly, I like MY bike, I want to keep MY bike, I just want to have MY bike. I like the Brammo, but it's not MY bike :Flip:
Last edited:
