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Electro Automotive did this in California for 30 years. The owner recently retired and shut down. There's something of a business in converting classic cars to

Electro Automotive did this in California for 30 years. The owner recently retired and shut down. There's something of a business in converting classic cars to electric, because maintaining the antique technology costs more than a conversion. There are plenty of kits for this sold online. The usual "custom part" needed is an adapter plate to attach the motor to the transmission, and possibly a spline. Plus motor mounts. Once you have the adapter plate pattern for a car model, it's possible to drill one from a blank. Here are some adapters.[1] Where to put the battery? Real electric cars put it under the floor, which keeps the CG low and provides enough space for a large battery. Conversions have less battery space and may be top-heavy. [1] https://inductiveauto.com/product-category/adapters/ https://inductiveauto.com/product-category/adapters/

stavros 2y ago
Wouldn't you put the battery in the massive space created by the missing engine block?
- gambiting 2y ago
  No, because that space is still occupied by all the auxiliary devices that still have to be there, and of course the electric motor which - while smaller than most ICEs - is still sizable. Converted cars have less space under the bonnet than most people would guess.
- Animats 2y ago
  That's where the electric motor goes in retrofits.
- claudiulodro 2y ago
  Beyond space concerns, there are balance concerns. You could fill the trunk or hood with batteries, but that adds 1000+ pounds to the end(s) of the car, so it will be a poor driving experience (for reference, a good size ICE engine is ~500 lbs). The best EV conversions spread the batteries throughout the car so it remains balanced (but that's pretty complex in terms of packaging and wiring).
  - stavros 2y ago
    Interesting, thank you. This means that you need a 500 lbs motor/battery/circuits combo in the front of the car after the conversion, right?
    - claudiulodro 2y ago
      Not necessarily! The front of the car could be lighter or heavier as long as the total car is balanced. This is the way that the high-end EV conversions do it (e.g. https://revoltsystems.com https://revoltsystems.com), but most at-home EV conversions simply fill the trunk with batteries which is way simpler but won't be nearly as good a driving experience (e.g. https://ev8electric.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/img_20150503_201047.jpg https://ev8electric.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05...)

stavros 2y ago

Wouldn't you put the battery in the massive space created by the missing engine block?

gambiting 2y ago
No, because that space is still occupied by all the auxiliary devices that still have to be there, and of course the electric motor which - while smaller than most ICEs - is still sizable. Converted cars have less space under the bonnet than most people would guess.
Animats 2y ago
That's where the electric motor goes in retrofits.
claudiulodro 2y ago
Beyond space concerns, there are balance concerns. You could fill the trunk or hood with batteries, but that adds 1000+ pounds to the end(s) of the car, so it will be a poor driving experience (for reference, a good size ICE engine is ~500 lbs). The best EV conversions spread the batteries throughout the car so it remains balanced (but that's pretty complex in terms of packaging and wiring).
- stavros 2y ago
  Interesting, thank you. This means that you need a 500 lbs motor/battery/circuits combo in the front of the car after the conversion, right?
  - claudiulodro 2y ago
    Not necessarily! The front of the car could be lighter or heavier as long as the total car is balanced. This is the way that the high-end EV conversions do it (e.g. https://revoltsystems.com https://revoltsystems.com), but most at-home EV conversions simply fill the trunk with batteries which is way simpler but won't be nearly as good a driving experience (e.g. https://ev8electric.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/img_20150503_201047.jpg https://ev8electric.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05...)