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Why should I convert my car to electric? • Outstandingly durable: the motor includes only one moving part.
• Overwhelmingly efficient: the operating efficiency can be as high as 95%, when an internal combustion engine reaches only 20-25%.
• Outstanding performance: full torque is in use from 1 rpm.
• Superior in silence: all you hear is a smooth buzz.
• World-beatingly clean: When charged with solar-, hydro- or wind power, electric car is genuinely a Zero Emission vehicle.
• Easy and uncomplicated to charge.
• Requires minimum service.
They are fun to drive. Hard to explain you will just have to experience it first hand.
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How much range can I expect from an electric car?
Range is a very subjective issue.
What’s suitable for one may not be for another. We are very conditioned to operating a vehicle running on petrol...that’s all we have known…so we try to make the same comparisons when evaluating another car...it is different with an electric car...you just have to get your head around the fact that its not the same.. With the current state of battery technology, range is smaller per tank full on an electric car compared to vehicles using petrol engines. You just can't hold as much energy in batteries as you can get from burning fossil fuels. However, plugging an electric vehicle when you are out and about or when you get home is far more convenient than visiting a petrol station. You end up doing a continual top up or Re-Charge to the battery pack and just keep going. The important thing is to consider just how much "single charge range" you need for your daily driving. Plugging in...Get it right and it’s like having a tank that never empties. Also the "single charge range" in your converted electric vehicles varies enormously with vehicle size and battery capacity. As a rough guide, a typical conversion using lithium batteries can expect about 100kms range on a single charge. More money spent on batteries will up the range but most people when they go through the thought process as to what they really need, they find that…...Range is not the big issue that others will have you believe it’s rarely the deciding factor.
For work trucks and vans on a back to base short trip cycle you will really get a wonderful surprise and wonder ……....why did I not do this earlier!
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Will I save money by upgrading a vehicle? The operating costs of an electric vehicle is about 10% -15% of what you are presently paying for petrol…now this is not the full story.. What you have to take into account is that the battery pack will need changing in time...depending on what pack we put in your car. Approx 2 to 3 years for lead acid or 8 -10 years for a lithium pack. It is like paying or leasing your petrol before you use it…...because the biggest cost to owning a converted electric car is the replacement cost of the battery pack. Electricity to charge an electric car costs in the order of $1 per 100kms – or around one tenth the cost of petrol. For an average Australian travelling 20,000kms per year, this represents almost $2000 saved in fuel – then add on what you will save in servicing costs and if the car is older..... repair / replacement costs as well. Savings on running costs and servicing and repair costs over the time will more than pay for a new battery pack and then some in the future. So the total cost of ownership is still less than a petrol power car at today’s prices for petrol……but what happens in the future when petrol starts inching it way back up. Even the cost of electricity is expected to increase but as you can see it could double and it will have little impact on the running costs of an electric vehicle. How will you fare if the price of petrol doubled???
The future…… with the rate of improvement of battery technology and in particular Lithium battery technology, we can almost guarantee that your next battery will cost half as much, give you twice the range and last twice as long.
This is important because as you should have learnt by now that all you will need to replace is the battery pack….. the electric motor should outlast the car. Meaning your total cost of ownership and running costs are going down…can you say the same about your present petrol powered car.
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Why is it better to convert or upgrade an existing vehicle to electric, instead of buying a new one?
As we all know when you drive a new vehicle off the lot from a dealer the new car starts to devalue. Some more than others but after a few short years the car is a fraction of the price of a new vehicle. This depreciation is the largest component of any vehicles running cost. The dealer profit, the shippings costs, the new vehicle tax, the stamp duty, and so and so all add up. The biggest part of the depreciation is because it is expected that the older a vehicle gets the more it will cost to keep it on the road. This is factored in when you buy a second hand vehicle. Even new vehicles have to be serviced regularly to maintain warranty and when the vehicle gets out of warranty it is potentially a very costly problem if something major happens to the engine. But notice we refer to the engine that becomes costly. The rest of the car if it has been looked after is in almost brand new condition. The panels look fine, the radio works, the seats are comfy, interior looks like a brand 'new', the suspension's nice and tight.....everything apart from the engine parts are ok and expected to last a very long time. So now this car can have all the engine parts removed including petrol tank, exhaust system and clutch etc and a brand new electric drive system is fitted. In most cases this can all be done for less cost than you would pay for a new vehicle. So now you have a great car that you like, but it is all brand new shiny electric.............it's sort of the best recycling ever invented to help the environment. Want to be part of the revolution?
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How fast can EV's go?
A: The first time you drive an electric car, prepare to be surprised. Within seconds you're at freeway speeds. Acceleration is powerful because electric motors operate at 100% torque at any rpm.
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Can I get regenerative braking?
A: Our AC drive systems always include regenerative braking. Regenerative braking adds 10 to 14% to the range of a vehicle and reduces wear and tear on the brakes.
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What kind of drive systems do you install in your conversions?
A: We use A/C (Alternating Current) and DC drive systems combined with the most cost effective battery technology for your needs.
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BATTERIES How long does it take to recharge?
A: Recharging time depends on the amperage of the charging system. To recharge a completely drained battery from an ordinary 240V socket would take about 6-7 hours. If you up it just a little to 15A plug (like the one that powers your clothes dryer,) you can reach 90% of full charge in approx 4-5 hours. Most charging is done at night, or while you are working, shopping, eating etc .. So charge time is not critical. Remember your electric car loves to graze...it keeps your batteries in tip top shape.
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How does recharging work?
A: You can charge anywhere there is an electric outlet. Think of it like your cell phone: plug your car in when you get home and unplug it in the morning when you're ready to leave. Plugging in takes less than 5 seconds of your time and means no more trips to the gas station.
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What's the best time of day to recharge?
A: Off-peak times, especially night time, when more electricity is being generated than is being used, are the best times. Contact your local electricity provider to discuss off-peak charging rates with a time-of-use meter.
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Can I use solar power to charge my EV?
A: Yes. If you drive 15,000 km annually, you will need 3,000 to 4,000 kWh. A 1.5 to 3 kW PV system, can generate that for you. EV's make investment in individual or business solar systems more compelling. By generating your own electricity, you can drive virtually cost and pollution-free for up to 30 years.
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SERVICE
Who will service my car if there is a problem?
A: The Eve motor group network can service your car…… so no matter where you are in Australia we should be close at hand.
When you buy your converted electric car through the EVE motor group network you have the peace of mind of a national warranty* on all our vehicles plus the added benefit of being enrolled in our 24 hour road side assistance plan.
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PURCHASING QUESTIONS What kind of vehicles do you offer ready to order?
A: The EVE Motor group offers several vehicles which we have found to be suitable for most people. The Toyota Echo, Yaris and Corolla. To name a few but most smaller cars can be made ready to go off the shelf.
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What would it cost to convert my car if I brought my car in?
A: A conversion or upgrade cost of approx $20,000 will see you into the green car revolution with shiny brand new electric drive systems. For those who want to go faster further higher there are some other choices and options depending on what you want…. best thing is to have a chat with one of our upgrade consultants…...they are a wealth of knowledge..
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Can any vehicle be converted?
A: Yes. But keep in mind some are better than others depending on what you want…if you just want to cruise down to the shops and back do a little running around you could upgrade an old Merc but it would not be as efficient as the other smaller cars we have used i.e. the Toyota Corolla or RAVE 4 etc.
The main things to keep in mind here is that we will work with you to get you into the car you like...its no different when buying a new car...you have an idea of what you like or prefer in a car for whatever reason……you are getting a brand new electric car in a pre loved body so make sure it is a car you like and are happy driving…to that end if it is an old rusty clunker it will still be an old rusty clunker after putting an electric drive system in it. We only put a brand new electric drive system in the car everything else in the car is still there…ABS, stereo, comfy seats, whatever was there…….we will also take out old banana skins that the kids left ,if we find any.
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How long does a conversion take?
A: Generally a conversion takes about a week. What we do is get all the components ready for your car and then ring you to schedule a suitable time to drop the car in. Come in with an old smelly petrol car and leave with a shinny brand new all electric chariot…now what could be more exciting than that.
If you don't want to wait or don't have suitable vehicle to upgrade ...that's OK too..talk with us ..let us know what you would like to drive and we will get it going for you.......now what could be easier.
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What is the next step in purchasing or converting an electric vehicle?
A: Ring EVE……1300 EVE MOTOR
1300 383 668
Enhance your life by upgrading to electric ......be an environmental pioneer ........set a great example for family and friends…….....plus its so much fun going electric!..... We know that and you know that now.....……but take the high road just the same when asked ............."why did you go electric?"
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All of us involved with you at the EVE Motor Group get a real buzz when we see you get that EV grin for the first time. You come to know first hand just what it is we have been trying to put in words........................ feelings that only people who drive an upgraded EV will understand.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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Questions Answered