Dash instrumentsBattery boxesHeating solutionBattery boxes, underviewGotta tell the world!
OwnerPaul Newman
LocationWootton, England United Kingdom map
Web/Email email image
Vehicle1995 Skoda Favorit GLXie (originally!)
A mid nineties east European 5 door hatchback, with engineering input from VW group who at the time owned around 70% of the company
MotorAdvanced DC FB1-4001A Series Wound DC
DrivetrainFront wheel drive 5 speed manual transmission
ControllerCurtis 1231C-8601
Not yet confirmed, need to establish controller can handle the initial higher voltage from the Lifepo4 pack planned
Batteries41 Thunder Sky Lifepo4 160Ah, 3.20 Volt, Lithium-Ion
possibility of using china hi-power cells as an alternative option if quality and cost turns out OK
System Voltage131 Volts
Charger
Not yet known, probably one of the custom built Australian ones along with BMS for Lifepo4
Heater1500 watt 120v hairdryer body modified and installed in the heater duct in place of the original matrix, this will be activated by a microswitch when the heating lever is moved to hot and blower is also on.
DC/DC Converter
Plan on using 100Ah carbon fibre sealed lead acid battery which will get charged at the same time as the main pack and topped up with dash mounted solar panels
InstrumentationStandard ICE Rev counter to be coupled up to the motor. Main pack voltage, 12v system voltage & main pack current via meters (also possibly a switch to toggle between pack current and motor current via secondary shunt, but I'm not sure as yet).
All instruments are digital LCD backlit in blue. Possible additional BMS display (depending on system used) to be housed in the lower console hole.
Top Speed80 MPH (128 KPH)
Estimate, have no idea as yet
AccelerationUnknown, maybe in the range of 12 to 15 seconds 0 to 60mph
Range80 Miles (128 Kilometers)
Unknown, but based on weight and cell type I'm hoping for a safe range of 80 miles of mixed town and highway driving.
Watt Hours/Mile250 Wh/Mile
Again only an estimate based on the weight of the vehicle chosen
EV Miles
Start:19,600 Miles (31,536 Kilometers)
Current:19,600 Miles (31,536 Kilometers)
Total:0 Miles (0 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity5 adults
Curb Weight1,970 Pounds (895 Kilograms)
Standard ICE kerb weight, expect finished EV kerb weight to be in the region of 2200 Lbs
TiresStandard tyres on 13" light alloy rims
Conversion TimeApprox 60 hours to date, mainly cleaning up the donor to as new condition, then body modifications to accommodate the battery packs, instrumentation, heating.
Conversion CostDonor cost £225
Parts & materials to date approx. £450
Was expecting to spend an additional £4,000 on parts & £7,000 on cells/BMS, but due to weakening pound, could be much more :o(
Additional FeaturesI chose this particular car as I like the quirky east European styling. The build quality is also very good due to the VW input. It's also light weight and economical to start with on ICE, so I'm hoping for a good EV range. It also has light, non power steering.
So far, due to lack of funds at present I've concentrated on prepping the donor body, including cutting out for, fabricating and fitting the Lifepo4 cell boxes under the rear seat and in the luggage area. Also altered the dash to include the new instrumentation and manual safety cut off. Made and fitted the heating solution.

Real work will start in earnest once I've saved enough to buy the motor, controller and other gear (and hopefully, when the Pound is back up higher against the dollar as most kit is coming from the US!)

I would be very pleased to hear from any EV'ers, especially locally to myself to share ideas and help :)

code by jerry