Ok, totally of the Prius Prime topic, but someone may be interested in bringing this back to working order: https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/cto/d/murrysville-electric-car/6800653258.html Only 10K miles and $2000
I didn't know it existed either. It would be a nice project but not for me. Looks like a four speed on the floor.
Yeah, many EV conversions by DIYers and aftermarket third parties used a DC motor connected to the factory manual.
Plenty of these types of cars around. For example, locally in Wiscons there is a 2001 VW Golf converted to electric For the ad: $2,500 Rust free and no body damage, 4 door hatch back with a full rear seat, some trunk space filled with batteries at this time. This is it's 2nd set of batteries and it was used as a primary vehicle for several years, so most of the bugs are worked out. Has an ElCon charger that can be sent back to be reprogrammed for most batteries from 120v-144v. Has a Curtis speed controller and I believe an Advanced DC brand 9" motor. Asking $2,500 so I can buy a different electric vehicle. If it's next owner is close by I'd be happy to help install lithium batteries. Feel free to make me an offer.
but these are factory conversions, not private. not that it matters. or it might, idk. too bad they didn't use DeLorean bodies
My friend also has an Lectric Leopard. I think it is a 1980? Body is basically a Renault LeCar. Came from the factory as an electric. Never was gas. The my other obscure one that another local guy is selling was made by a company called Advanced Mobility and is called the Electrek. Very goofy looking car.
I test drove one of these back in the 70's. citicar - بحث Google: It had what was basically a foam covered board for a seat with the batteries underneath. Closest thing I ever drove to a golf cart.
I wouldn't call these factory conversions. I classify those as being done by the car's manufacturer, or a subcontractor they hired, and sold through the company's dealers with factory warranty. The Ranger and S10 EVs from the EV1 era, the Focus Electric, and the second Rav4 EV would be factory conversions. There was at least one company doing aftermarket EV conversions of Rangers up to, and maybe past, the introduction of the Leaf. This is what I'm referring to as third party converted. The car's owner is one getting it done, not the manufacturer. This sounds more likely the later case, with it being part of a Department of Energy project into EVs. The USPS also experimented with EV postal trucks around the same time.
