Driving Sports

In part 1 of this odyssey of automotive insanity, we learned a bit about the history and challenges of battery electric vehicles. In part 2, we covered the actual mechanics of building an electric love shack on wheels. Now we answer the imponderable question: “Hey man, like, what's it all mean?”

The other thing we learned in that first day of driving was that we needed to make sure the suspension and brakes were in top condition. Fred had already seen to the brakes, and the 1978 VW vans came with front discs - I think any conversion of a drum brake car should also include a switch to front discs for extra stopping power. Still, the bus felt a little wobbly until we replaced the aged shock absorbers with new heavy-duty gas shocks. So if you're thinking this project sounds like fun, be sure to budget a complete refresh of steering gear, tires rated for the extra weight, and a set of the best shocks you can find.

When it was done, Fred confided in me that he had spent about $18,000 on the project. Most of that is the kit that includes the engine and all the electronics, but not the batteries. That kit ran about $8,000. About $2,400  was invested in batteries, and the balance in buying and preparing the bus, including the battery boxes, shocks, tires, brakes, and other expenses.

So, anyone would have to admit that $18,000 is a lot to spend on an old VW bus, when for just a few more thousand dollars you can buy a new hybrid with air conditioning, all modern features, and a 300-400 mile range. But Fred has one more trick up his green sleeves – he's planning to use solar panels to charge the van.

Fred has installed solar panels on the roof of his house, and during the day these panels generate electricity that Fred sells to his local power company during the high-demand daytime. Then at night, when demand and prices are lowest, Fred will charge his car from the grid. This strategy actually drops Fred's cost of energy even further, and helps manage overall energy use more wisely, as his solar power is available to his community when it is needed, and then purchased back when there is surplus supply from conventional sources.

So what's the bottom line? A home conversion Battery Electric Vehicle isn't for everyone, yet. It takes a substantial investment to convert even an old VW bus to electric, and what you get when you're done isn't exactly a Ferrari. But every little bit helps, and guys like Mike Brown and Fred Weber have kept the notion of electric cars alive until the major automakers took notice and climbed onto the eco-love bus.