Green

With gas prices increasing and the constant threat of global warming taking over, people are looking for new ways to be more fuel efficient with their automobiles.  Enter the do-it-yourself electric car.  Instead of buying gasoline for fuel, the owner of this car can go home at night, plug his vehicle into an electrical outlet, and have it ready for use the next day.
 
Two Georgia men are trying out this concept separately.  Larry Horsley, the owner of a ‘95 Chevy S-10 says the conversion from gas to electric cost him about $12,000 according to an article on CNN.com.  David Kennington of the Atlanta area also thinks the conversion of his Honda Civic del Sol is worth it.  Not only does the conversion save gas money, but it also helps decrease the pollution of the environment.  Americans have been hoping for big-car manufacturers to deliver mainstream electric vehicles (EVs) like the Chevy Volt , but such cars have not come to fruition.  The American public is seemingly sold on the benefits of EVs.
 
Just imagine what electric cars can do.  They can help people save gas money while lowering gas prices.  Moreover, the maintenance for the car should cost less because it will not need regular oil changes.  These cars can also lower gas emissions to help the environment and reduce the global warming effect.  They might also solve the oil crisis of recent years.  If electric cars almost seem too good to be true, it’s because there are some serious downsides.
 
Detractors say that electric cars are not “the answer” for a few reasons.  Until these electric cars become more mainstream, people will have to deal with these do-it-yourself kits which cost a significant amount in time and money.  Horsley estimates that the total time to install his kit was three months, most of which he estimated was spent waiting on parts.  Another issue with electric cars is that they cannot be driven for long trips.  Kennington gets about 20 miles per charge, so he only drives it on short trips a couple times a week according to CNN.com.  Finally, battery packs tend to be very heavy and cause additional wear and tear on tires and breaks.
 
“I hope at some point that I will be able to drive it on a more regular basis and that it will be more useful,” says Kennington on CNN.com. “Do I expect it to someday to be my only car? No.”
 
Even though an electric car cannot be driven as far as anyone pleases per trip, people still show a significant interest in them.
 
Bob Batson who formed a company called Electric Vehicles of America in Wolfeboro, N.H., sells vehicle parts for those looking to convert from gasoline to electric. Electric Vehicles of America’s homepage has snapshots of every vehicle under the sun that can be powered with their conversion kits.  From boats to airport tugs, go-carts to farm tractors, truck to automobiles, Mr. Batson’s company can convert the powerplant from internal combustion to electric.  All it takes is time, money, and the desire to seek an alternative.
 
The do-it-yourself group may turn the electric car into a mainstream item.  Nothing will cause a business to change its approach faster than competition that is cutting into their profits.  Should do-it-yourself kits become easier to install and electric cars have a lower total cost of ownership, major car manufacturers may find competition with a new industry:  chassis-only manufacturers.  These do-it-yourself electric cars put the future of automobiles in the hands of the consumer.

By Chris White