Home

Site Map

Catalog

EV Info

Prices

Contact

Hosting an Electric Car Conversion Seminar or Workshop

• Locate an appropriate venue for the workshop
• Locate sources of large equipment, tools, and large components for display
• Supply an errand runner/assistant during the workshop
• Get the workshop listed on local community events calendars
• Get coverage by local media
• Receive shipments of books, display materials, parts, tools, etc.
• Provide any needed direction signs to location
• Handle check-in at the workshop

We do need minimum registration numbers to make the workshop economically viable for us. If you are considering hosting one in your area, we would recommend that you survey your club membership to see how many would be likely to participate. There will always be many non-club registrations as well, and some people will travel in from out of town.

There are two types of workshops we can present.

One-Day EV Conversion Seminar

Could your car be converted to run on batteries instead of gas? Would it provide the speed and range you need? How hard is it to convert? What does it cost to convert and operate an electric car? These questions and others will be answered in a one-day seminar.

The early portion of the talk will cover general information about conversions - cost, performance, environmental issues, etc. Then the speakers will get into the nuts and bolts of the actual conversion.

Topics Include: Expected performance Choosing a suitable chassis Components & their functions Overall layout Designing & fabricating support structures Wiring Testing & troubleshooting Driving & Maintenance Registration is $100 per person.

For the one-day seminar, we need:

• Minimum 75 registrations, maximum 300
• Minimum 8-12 weeks lead time to secure facility and promote event
• Lecture hall or suitable space. Size would depend on anticipated registrations. It could be a hall that the local EV club already has access to for their meetings. If it's a conference room at a hotel, it might be possible to start small and upgrade in size if more registrations come in.
• Lectern, microphone, projector screen (we can bring projector), power strip for projector, chairs (preferably with writing surface), several tables for check-in and display items
• Display components or vehicles - if local EV club members have motors, chargers, controllers they could bring for display, or whole vehicles

Six-Day Hands-On Workshop

From Donor to Runner in 6 Days

This workshop will guide students through the complete process of converting a vehicle to electric power. Classroom sessions will cover the same material as the one-day seminar, and will be combined with hands-on shop sessions. By the end of the workshop, the group will have completed one or two running electric car conversions capable of highway speeds and 60-80 miles range.

Students will learn the principles behind good component layout, battery rack and box design and construction, and wiring, with hands-on experience installing the components. They will also learn how to apply these principles to different types of vehicles, and learn about the differences between AC and DC drive systems, and different types of batteries. Each student will receive a copy of the book "Convert It" and "VoltsRabbit ™ Installation Instructions". Registration is $1,500 per person.

For the six-day workshop, we need:

• Minimum 5 registrations, maximum 18 (not counting sponsors)
• Minimum 12-16 weeks lead time AFTER donor car(s) secured. We would not want to set the actual workshop date until the sponsor(s) were committed, the donor car(s) were in possession, and the shop space confirmed.
• Classroom space with lectern, projector screen & stand, chairs & tables or desks. This is best if it can be a free/donated space or low cost.
• Shop space. For a one-car workshop, 24' x 24' is a minimum. For a two-car workshop, 24' x 36' minimum. This is also best to be free or donated, as rental for shop space can be cost prohibitive. It could be a large empty space with garage doors, concrete floors, good lighting and plenty of electrical outlets as a minimum. Compressed air would be desirable. Several heavy duty workbenches and tables will be needed. A lift is nice, but not necessary. An actual auto shop space would be fantastic. This might be at a school during break between semesters/quarters.
• Tools & equipment. We will supply a list of large tools needed, such as engine hoist, floor jacks and jackstands, shop vac, etc. These can probably be borrowed from local club members. We will bring two sets of hand tools, but if students can bring their own, or EV club members can provide some extras, that would be a big help.
• Donor car & kit sponsor. For each 9 students, we need one sponsor to provide the donor chassis and purchase the conversion kit and batteries. The sponsors will receive free registration for one person in the workshop, plus free labor to assemble their conversion. We would work with the sponsor to make sure the vehicle is a good candidate for conversion, and we would want to see extensive photos of it both inside and out before approval.

  Donor cars MUST (NO EXCEPTIONS):

  • Be an '81-'84 VW Rabbit Sedan or Convertible, or '85-'93 VW Cabriolet. The only way we can do this workshop in six days is to have a completely pre-fabbed kit, so no design or fabrication is necessary.
  • Have a manual transmission (4-speed or 5-speed) in good working condition
  • Be gas or diesel, doesn't matter
  • Have air conditioning removed (if present) before workshop
  • Have a structurally sound body with no history of collision more than surface dings
  • Be mechanically and electrically sound before workshop begins.
    • Brakes
    • Axles/CV joints & boots
    • Wheel bearings
    • Steering
    • Tires
    • 12V wiring - lights, horn, etc.
  • Be intact & have been driveable until very recently
• Prep work. In addition to the above, prior to the workshop, the donor car needs:
  • New suspension parts from kit installed
  • Internal combustion systems stripped out (we will provide detailed guidelines)
  • Engine bay & transmission steamcleaned

  This prep work can be done by the sponsor, EV club members, or an auto shop.

If either of these options interests you, or if you have a possible donor chassis you would like to offer, please contact Shari Prange at shari@electroauto.com and we can discuss details.