DIY EV CHAT
There’s an incredible, global community that has sprung up around the desire to convert old cars to electric. People who love recycling and people who are doing it for performance. People who want to save money, and people doing it just for the fun of the engineering challenge. I set out to meet an interview some of them, and then give them a forum for discussion, with DIY EV Chat.
EV Batteries are CRAZY cheap!
On this month's episode, we're talking batteries and the ridiculously low prices you can now pay for a serious OEM pack. We all bring our own best examples and they're all under £1000 / £30/kWh - less than a third of what we all paid when we did our first conversions during lockdown.
What do the new DVLA regs mean for EV conversions?
DIY EV Chat is back! But this time, it’s a bit different. This is the first episode in a new format where we’re going to be digesting the latest news, projects, and videos from the world of home-made EVs.
Karim Omara’s Electric Fleet
In this episode of DIY EV Chat we’re headed back across the pond to chat to Karim Omara all the way from California. Karim has a pair of incredible EV-swapped vehicles, a classic 1973 Beetle and an E60 BMW 5-series – the Chris Bangle designed car that still splits BMW enthusiasts. Karim’s car is even more controversial now that it is powered by a mix of Lexus drivetrain and Chevy batteries!
Patrick Roth and the Rambler 660e
We're back across the Atlantic again this episode, with two time DIY EV builder Patrick Roth and his absolutely incredibly Lexus GS450h/Tesla-powered AMC Rambler. The quality of work on this project is incredibly high, from the beautiful paint job and custom interior, to the very neat under-bonnet and custom display. A real example of a DIY classic EV-swap done right.
Greg Muszynski (Good Enuff Garage) and the Lexus-Powered GMC 'Electruck'
In this 20th episode of DIY EV Chat (!) we head across the pond to chat to Greg Muszynski of Good Enuff Garage about his Lexus GS450h-powered GMC truck, and his upcoming Volkswagen Rabbit/Golf. Hear how Greg got started with DIY EV swaps, the challenges he had along the way, his favourite tool, and what's next for his projects. Go check out Greg's YouTube channel for a deep dive on his projects - always entertaining!
Alex Meek and the EV-Swapped E46
Alex Meek is a car guy. In fact, his whole family are petrolheads! So why did he build an electric BMW E46 Touring using parts from a Mitsubishi Outlander? Find out in the latest episode of DIY EV Chat.
Alister Brown and the Electric Freelander
In this episode I chat to electric Land Rover Freelander builder and car alternator enthusiast, Alister Brown - also known as AliBro over on YouTube, where he has documented his build. You can also find his build diary over on the OpenInverter Forum.
An Electric Jetski?? DIY EV Chat with Jamie Marley
Jamie Marley is one of the founders of Second Life EV Batteries, providing second hand batteries to EV-swappers all over the country. But he's also a time-served marine engineer with a deep interest in EV and hybrid power trains for watercraft of all sizes - including his Outlander-powered jetski! Jamie is available for consulting in the marine sector via his business Marine Electrification Solutions.
Jamie is converting a former ambulance into a camper van as well - a classic DIV EV project.
An efficient and reliable Mazda RX-8? Make it electric!
The Wankel rotary engine used by Mazda is a wonderful thing. It's compact and it's powerful. It makes a wicked howl when it's on song. Unfortunately, it doesn't always last that long. Which is how Steve Pilcher ended up with a nice-looking sports car and no engine sitting on his parent's driveway. Stumbling across the DIY EV community, he decided to convert his Mazda RX-8 to electric, and he didn't take the easy route!
Find out more about Steve's car and the process he went through to get it on the road in this episode of DIY EV Chat.
An electric Porsche for £10k? Paul Young built one.
A Tesla-powered Porsche Boxster, built at home and now a daily driver. Fancy one of those? Paul Young did it all in his garage.
In this episode of DIY EV Chat, I Paul and I talk Tesla-power, buying cars on eBay, and the criticality of a good set of crimping tools to any DIY EV project.
How to build an electric MG on a budget, with Ben Bament
Ben Bament has built an electric MGF in a barn, using OEM parts from a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. Before that he built an electric quad/ATV and now he's working on a Nissan Leaf-powered tractor.
In this episode of DIY EV Chat, we talk about how Ben got started, his choice of components, issues with the DVLA, and his new project.
You can find more about Ben and his projects here: https://www.somersetev.co.uk/
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The creator of SimpBMS, Tom De Bree
In episode 12 of DIY EV Chat, I speak to Tom De Bree, the man behind the SimpBMS battery management system on which so many of us rely in the DIY EV community.
We talk about how Tom got started, the evolution of SimpBMS, and his new products now that he's focused on his own business.
You can find out more about Tom's new products and projects at https://engovis.com but all products can only be bought through distributors who also provide first line support. Stocks are currently low because of the chip shortage but this will be rectified with the new range.
Anthony Bezencon and the electric Mini
Anthony Bezencon has built an electric classic Mini that can spin the wheels yet is only the same weight as the original - and has even better weight distribution. In this episode Anthony tells me about his super-neat electric car conversion, component selection, the control boards he has designed, and the process - which had more ups than downs (apart from a few dead Teensy microcontrollers).
Chris Hazell, the electric Skyline, and Zero EV
Chris Hazell is a DIY EV-er turned professional - and a very significant professional at that. He's the creator of the first Tesla-powered Skyline drift car, and founder of Zero EV, one of the most significant companies in the EV conversion scene, not just here but around the world. In this episode we talk about how he got started, and about the state of the conversion industry, both professional and amateur. And how that industry is likely to change with shifts in the supply chain and regulation.
Kit Lacey & the electric Dubs (and Porsches)
I chat to Kit Lacey from eDub Services about how he got started in EV conversions, his electric VW buses, and the conversions his company now offers on Porsches and more.
Damien Maguire & the EVBMWs
Damien Maguire was the person who convinced me - and many others - that I could build my own EV. His instructional videos, rich with information and wry humour have been the gateway drug to EV conversion for many members of the DIYEV community. In this episode he explains how he got started with a DIY DC motor controller, before progressing through a series of BMW builds to today, when his - deliberately small - EVBMW business provides the brains behind many swaps.
Johannes Hübner & the OpenInverter Project
In this episode I interview Johannes Hübner, the founder of the OpenInverter project on which my EV conversion and so many others are based. We talk about how Johannes got started, his three conversion projects, and the evolution of the OI community.
Stuart Dean & the electric T5
In this episode I speak to Stuart Dean about his electric T5 conversion and his upcoming Caravelle camper. We cover component choices, the current challenge with the DVLA and registration, and the his favourite tool. Plus breakdowns and hairy wheelspin moments!
Danny Floyde & the electric Jimny
I chat to electric off-roader Danny Floyde about his converted Suzuki Jimny 4x4. This is a tidy build with no expense spared - listen to find out how much Danny spent. And he kindly shares some of the mistakes he made along the way so you can learn from them on your project.
Janosch Oppermann and the electric taxi
What happens DIY spirit and open source tech becomes a business? Janosch Oppermann and Alex Howard are converting London taxis into EVs, offering us all cleaner and quieter cities - and potentially a more profitable business for the driver. I talk to Janosch about his conversion journey, the pitfalls of the taxi business, and what it's like taking this tech to market.
Janosch and Alex's business, Clipper Automotive, is doing a small funding round as we recorded. If you like the sound their business and would like to invest, get in touch at https://www.clipper.cab/contact