Background

I've long been interested in electric cars.  During the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973, I wrote the Ford Motor Company asking whether they would consider an electric Mustang, perhaps even solar.  They didn't respond.  Neither did Santa.  I was 11.

Over the next 4 decades I considered building my own EV on and off, eventually always finding an excuse to avoid the work.  As I aged, it was increasingly evident that to modify a car that much was a very risky endeavor.  Many person-years went into putting it together a particular way to begin with!  So, having not taken the risk when I didn't know any better, it had to wait.  But I believe the time has come.

The most significant enabler is the lithium battery.  While these have been available for some time, it has been only recently that the technology is available and economical for the average enthusiast.  A lead acid battery pack giving my Miata an 18 mile range would weigh roughly 520 lbs.  The curb weight of the unmodified car is only 2300. 

With the advent of Lithium Iron Phosphate cells (LiFePO4), 360 lbs can give that vehicle a range of approximately 70 miles.  The AC electric motor is also lighter than the gas engine + exhaust by 220 lbs and the gasoline itself weighs 80 lbs.  So with a modest (safe) weight increase over stock, we can create a car which has a useful range.  These cells also have a much better deep cycle life than lead acid.

Another key component is that someone else has done this before and worked out the major bugs.  I don't have to be the first one.  Pat Mackey at EV Works has done a great job of  putting together a complete, detailed instruction manual and supplies the core components (battery racks, mounting brackets) so that you don't have to engineer the project from scratch.

I chose the Miata partially because of this well layed out project.  The Miata is modern, relative to other kits I considered (eg VW Rabbit, Porsche 914) and fun compared to a Ranger or S10 pickup.  Canadian EV has a complete kit for the New Beetle which was a contender as well.

The final catalyst was the interest of my son.  I think that if your teenager wants to work on a project with you, even hints of the possibility, you can rationalize about anything.