Front BatteriesElectric Daihatsu CharadeRear Batteries and ChargersAdvanced DC 6.7 inch motorFront RackRear RackVacuum System
OwnerDavid Rowe
LocationAdelaide, South Australia Australia map
Web/EmailWebPage email image
Vehicle1991 Daihatsu Charade 5 Door Hatch
MotorAdvanced DC X91-4001 6.7 inch Series Wound DC
Chosen for range, many people fit 8 inch motors in the same car.
DrivetrainUpgraded pressure plate and clutch to handle 100% increase in torque over ICE. Stock clutch was slipping.
ControllerCurtis 1231C
Batteries12 Optima D31A Yellow Top, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
75AH at C/20, but tested around 40-50AH new at typical 60A EV current. Assuming they wear in to around 50AH total capacity 7.2kWh.
System Voltage144 Volts
ChargerPowertech MB-3612
12 Powertech 12V 12A chargers, one for each battery.
DC/DC Converter
13.5V 36A
InstrumentationThe difficult to spell Paktrakr WebPage
Top Speed80 MPH (128 KPH)
Estimated
AccelerationAs good as ICE to 60km/hr
Range30 Miles (48 Kilometers)
40km in stop start 60 km/hr metro traffic, estimated 80% DoD. Still wearing in batteries
Watt Hours/Mile400 Wh/Mile
400 Wh/mile at the wall (10kWh charge for 40km). As low as 130Whr/mile cruising at 35mph. Draws 5kW (37A @ 132V tested) cruising at 35mph.
EV Miles
Start:145,592 Miles (234,257 Kilometers)
Current:145,593 Miles (234,259 Kilometers)
Total:1 Miles (1 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity2 adults, or 1 adult and 3 kids
Curb Weight2,400 Pounds (1,090 Kilograms)
At 1100kg a bit heavy. Will experiment with new springs and perhaps 10 D31's, depends on range.
Conversion Time12 months part time, maybe 300 hours total
Conversion Cost$13,000 (AUD) excluding donor car and chargers.
Additional FeaturesCharged from 2kW grid-connect PV array. Most Charade conversions become 2 seaters, I chose to keep 5 seats to support the main payload of 1 adult plus several kids.

code by jerry