Have you ever priced out a Lithium pack? $$$$$$ That's what you'd need to make a flat pack that sits were the fuel tank currently sits. I think that's why it hasn't been done yet. Lead acid is still the affordable route and those batteries are not very flat.I think the Element is a PERFECT candidate for conversion to an electric car. ... As it is now a flat battery pkg. can be mounted beneath the chassis.
I’m surprised your engine is giving you problems at 150k. Mine has 160k and feels like the engine just got broken in.?I have started a all battery ? powered landscaping business using top of the line STIHL equipment! I am using the fact that it’s quiet ? and doesn’t wake anyone up while we are cutting ones grass. Unlike other gas power landscaping business! We have all been there you trying to sleep in and the landscaping guys wake you up around 7-8 in the morning with their super loud not eco friendly 2 stroke engine!!! Lol and business is picking up!!!! If you live in south Florida give me a call and I could come give you a quote lol VALEBAT LAWN CARE a quiet mowing experience 754-666-3255..
The only Thing is that I use my awesome element for work! And I love this car my engine started to give some problems now they has over 150,000 miles!!! But I am not ready Retired my beautiful lifted raptor painted all custom element!!! And since some customers already mentioned that I should be driving an electric vehicle to match my business model, for the past two months I have been searching and searching on how or even if it’s possible to make my five your partner Honda element into a car of the future lol with?!!!! Please if anyone has done it contact me!!!
Has anyone converted to electric? Looking for a project for my students and was thinking it would be a cool idea to convert my element to battery powered- long shot!
I'm with you #Gibroni. I just read today that Koenigsig is introducing a VERY light weight and compact e-motor "670 hp and 811 lb-ft in a package that weighs just 187 pounds" with torque vectoring. So, hybrid with their motor in back and existing ICE in front. Or maybe just ditch the ICE engine altogether if you can stuff enough batteries in the front and maybe some in back where the gas tank and other stuff is? Sure would be fun to put our heads together and come up with design and parts list to see how much time and cost it would take...I think the Element is a PERFECT candidate for conversion to an electric car. Sure the E is heavy and not so aerodynamic but your the average daily commute it's utility is an advantage. I've been thinking of this too. 4 in-wheel motors. There's a company in England that makes in-wheel motors generating 160 hp each. The flat floor of the Element is the car design of the future. As it is now a flat battery pkg. can be mounted beneath the chassis. The gas tank is there already, this would make changing out the battery as easy as hanging the oil. Now consider that you don't need the engine, drivetrain, or the exhaust and you bring down the weight of the Element. The long flat roof is also a good place to put a solar panel. There a prototype mini like this, I think the company is called PHL.
This conversation was from 16 years ago. Battery and electric motor technology has advanced quite a bit. We have Full-sized trucks with full electric powertrains getting 200+mile ranges. In 2006 the Nissan Leaf was still 4 years away and Tesla had just started planning. Tiny cars had double digit range.I'm with you #Gibroni. I just read today that Koenigsig is introducing a VERY light weight and compact e-motor "670 hp and 811 lb-ft in a package that weighs just 187 pounds" with torque vectoring. So, hybrid with their motor in back and existing ICE in front. Or maybe just ditch the ICE engine altogether if you can stuff enough batteries in the front and maybe some in back where the gas tank and other stuff is? Sure would be fun to put our heads together and come up with design and parts list to see how much time and cost it would take...
Here's the article I saw FYI. https://www.yahoo.com/autos/koenigseggs-tiny-electric-motor-makes-170900255.html
Yea i'd love to see some real answers to this. I go 12 miles to work. If i need to haul something i take the truck but i wish i could use an electric E for around town. I charge every night and might go 90-100 miles on a day i drive a lot. Otherwise im just going 25 miles. I looked at getting another 1st gen volt but they went from 4K-9K in a few weeks. Wouldnt mind making my E a project car and turn it electric for short trips.Has anyone converted to electric? Looking for a project for my students and was thinking it would be a cool idea to convert my element to battery powered- long shot!