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Can I build my own electric car?
I know electric cars are the future, but they’re still so expensive. How hard is it for me to convert my gas-powered car into an electric-powered one?
Andrew Koole · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Wow! Just asking that question shows a level of courage few have. That said, converting a regular car into an EV is not easy. Unless you’re an electrical engineer, you probably don’t have the skills needed for the job. And even then, the cost of the project might make you reconsider the idea altogether.
Besides the original car, you’ll need to find and buy two major components for your conversion:
- A conversion kit. Kits include a motor, a controller and mount, a charger, a converter, and miscellaneous equipment needed for the job. They can cost anywhere between $8,000 and $20,000, and they only work for specific cars. Installation is complicated, time-consuming, and expensive if you hire someone to do it for you, which you will likely need to do.
- A battery system. EV West, the leading electric car conversion kit company, sells batteries and battery packs ranging from $155 to $1,600 apiece. Keep in mind, you’ll want to have multiple packs so your car has enough range. Once your conversion is complete, you’ll have to jump through the registration hoops specific to your state. You’ll also need to getcar insurance, which can get pricey for kit cars due to all the modifications.Jerrycan help you save on insurance for your custom EV. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry customers save an average of $887 a year.
View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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