According to Redding.com (CA) Mark Willmon, an electrical engineer from Anchorage, AK, overhauled a Mitsubishi pickup, replacing its gasoline engine with an electric motor that runs on batteries to give him an electric vehicle that is more economical to commute to work with than a gasoline ICE car.
About a year ago, facing soaring gas prices and a 20-mile-a-day commute, Willmon said he did some math and figured he'd come out ahead if he invested the time and money to build an electric-powered vehicle.
He's part of a small but growing group of people nationwide who are putting together vehicles that run on electricity instead of expensive gasoline or diesel fuel.
He sold his 10-year-old Jeep Cherokee for $6,000, bought the Mitsubishi pickup for $1,000 and then spent about $11,000 for the parts needed to convert it to electric.
To make the conversion he needed only the electric motor, a motor controller, batteries, a battery charger and a small computer that keeps it all humming.
16 rechargeable, lead-acid batteries that supply the power, take about four hours to charge, and are good for about 40 miles of driving are located in the back of the truck. The family's electric bill has risen about $20 a month. That compares with the $120 it had cost to gas up the Jeep each month. Its batteries will wear out and need to be replaced every couple of years, but it is the Willmon family's second car.
Thanks to the tip from Hybridcars.com.
He paid about $6000 net for the conversion. He saves $100/month. Over two years, that's $2400 minus whatever the batteries cost to replace. It looks like this vehicle might never pay for itself.
Not that the vehicle a bad thing, but it helps to look at the details. At $5/gallon, he'd probably be in the money pretty quick even after all expenses.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | September 25, 2006 at 12:22 AM
Gas prices are falling.
He actually lost.
What he needed to do - just wait another year. All those news about alternative energy and electric cars sooner or later would crush gas prices.
The day first fully electrical car will go into mass production, gas prices will drop in half.
Posted by: Vagif Verdi | September 25, 2006 at 12:38 AM
You and the oil companies wish!
I don't think so. The reason people are motivated to stop burning oil in ICE's this time around is not the same as it was in 1979.
Peak Oil is now a major factor - with it's national security implications.
The bulk of remaining oil reserves are located in the Middle East, currently in political turmoil. Some claim that we are already experiencing our first 'oil war' in Iraq.
Iran is now openly threatening to use the oil weapon should the UN impose sanctions over its nuclear ambitions, while at the same time calling for the elimination of Israel.
People are starting to realise that the West is currently funding both sides in the war against terrorism and would like their transport needs to be free from dependence on mid-east oil - and the political blackmail that the west is already experiencing.
In any case, if oil production is on the decline, we need to stop burning it because its derivatives are needed to manufacture so many other essential products from fertilizers to medicines.
......./Tech
Posted by: jinditech | September 25, 2006 at 01:36 AM
A long Oil war with Iran may be the next best thing to a carbon tax to raise the price of gas to about $5/gal i.e. the price level required to economically justify cleaner vehicles.
Wonder which option will our politicians choose.
Since 95% of us will not accept a progressive $2/gal carbon tax, a new Oil wars may get more votes.
Posted by: Harvey D. | September 25, 2006 at 10:04 AM
Great project!! Now he should invest in enough solar and wind to eliminate that 120 dollar power bill, and any other heating bills. Probably fairly high in Alaska.
With mass production of better batteries and the motor and controller, the price of these conversions will come down. Then as energy prices rise (3,4,5 dollar gas, 20 cent per kwh), the payback period shortens.
And after the payback period, renewable energy and plugin vehicles will create a positive cash flow for early DIYers.
I think we will even see mass production vehicle conversions, really bringing cost reduction to bear.
Posted by: amazingdrx | September 25, 2006 at 12:40 PM
Since the price of oil is set in a global market, individual consumers have little effect. To have a big effect, alternatives to oil consumption must be economical enough to incent large numbers of consumers to adopt them. That means cheaper, yes, but also more attractive, more practical, more useful. DIY vehicle conversions ain't gonna do it. Think mass market.
Posted by: pbean | September 26, 2006 at 11:57 AM
We will shortly have a means to solar generate our own electricity at equivalent cost to buying from the grid (see greenandgoldenergy.com.au - it's been posted here) and send excess back to the grid.
Once such micro power plants are available for the mass market, re-charging EV's overnight becomes a reality. This is likely to reduce by 20-50%, the cost of runnning today's ICE personal transport.
At which point each individual can run a carbon neutral household. Think how many problems that solves - even if it takes the next 10-15 years to get there.
....../Tech
Posted by: tech | September 28, 2006 at 05:47 PM
No more oil changes, mufflers, timing belts, injectors, filters, catalytic converters, hoses, radiators...
Posted by: Lotfw | September 29, 2006 at 02:51 PM
If you have looked into solar energy as a method for heating your home, panels are usually the first things that come up.
There are, however, other unique methods.
The Solar Heating Aspect You Have Never Heard of Before
The power of the sun is immense. The energy in one day of sunlight is more than the world needs. The problem, of course,
is how does one harness this power. Solar panels represent the obvious solution, but they have their downside. First,
they can be expensive depending upon your energy needs. Second, they do not exactly blend in with the rest of your home.
Passive solar heating represents a panel free method of harnessing the inherent energy found in the sun for heating
purposes. If you come out from a store and open the door of your car in the summer, you understand the concept of passive
solar heating. A wide variety of material absorbs sunlight and radiates the energy back into the air in the form of heat.
Passive solar heating for a home works the same way as the process which overheats your car in the parking lot.
Posted by: heating | February 28, 2007 at 08:01 PM
It`s always good to read about those who actively apply environmetal friendly technologies in life.
Posted by: earth4energy guide | October 21, 2009 at 06:13 AM
Perhaps Mr. Willmon can consider looking into DIY solar panels to significantly reduce his increasing electricity bills!
Posted by: Denny | June 12, 2010 at 11:12 PM