Plug in electric conversions? - GreenHybrid

Ontario07Civic · #1 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 08:45 PM

I had some time this weekend so I went googling for info on plug in electric conversions for small cars.

e.g. http://auto.howstuffworks.com/electric-car7.htm

http://www.electroauto.com/

The process seems fairly straight forward. What I can't find is whether or not these conversions are legal for the road and what kind of insurance you're looking at.

I've searched the ontario ministry of transportation - they're just gearing up to allow electric mopeds on the road - so it doesn't look promising.

I'm not serious enough about the whole thing to actually call them for details.

Anyone know anything about how the laws treat home made conversion vehicles?

Billyk · #2 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 09:05 PM

You will void your car warranty. Hymotion and Hybrids-Plus are the two major third party convertors for PHEV. I don't believe these two companies do Honda vehicles because your vehicle is not a full hybird in that it does not power itself under electrical mode. Before one flames me

about driving at 65 miles per hour without the ICE, I am referring to being able to drive from a complete stop without the internal combustion engine engaging.

Your post is about electric vehicles which is different from what I am referring to.

Ontario07Civic · #3 (**permalink**) 07-02-2008, 09:17 PM

yup, I'm not looking at converting my hch - if the dealers have trouble servicing a stock one, imagine the difficulty of fixing a home built one!

I was just toying with the idea of getting a small old compact car and replacing the gas guts with electric versions. I've been reading about them for years all US of course, not much canadian info. I am curious if they allow them on the road even (in canada) I see that the ZENN cars are not allowed on Canadian roads even though they are made in Canada. Do they have experimental vehicle licenses etc?