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Originally Posted by Poitive I really don't know enough but some questions pop right up:
1. Does the law allow states to take such decisions?
2. While on one end, we talk about safety (seat belts compulsory, crash testing, electronics, speed limits, challans for all sundry matters related to safety) will the new designs be subjected to any safety testing at all?
3. Besides other things, the weight distribution and centre of gravity will also change, thereby impacting the dynamics and I suppose, also suspension of the car. Any design and safety checks on that?
4. With the sheer number of models on road, if the above testing and checks are carried out, would it even be cost effective/viable?
It is one thing for the odd modified car to ve on road, and totally another for a policy/rules being in place to have large numbers on the road. |
The question isn’t about the legality as it’s pretty much allowed — I think multiple posts have been made on that topic on this forum — including one of the most viewed ones which included a Chevy Beat EV conversion.
I think I read that one needs to get the vehicle re-registered after converting to electric to RTO will ensure that the bare minimum standards are met. So the checking will be done as and when you re-register the vehicle.
I imagine that the cost will be recouped by charging a modest “re-registration fee” — more than registering a new EV but less than registering a new P/D car.
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Originally Posted by amvj Also on the cost front, batteries cost the majority for EV. It is better to replace the car instead. |
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Originally Posted by ruzbehxyz No one is going to go through the pain of converting a diesel car to electric. And do we have the expertise ?
Selling the car and buying a new / used electric vehicle will be more prudent in the long run. |
It appears that you’re spot on. It’s cheaper to just go with a new Electric car than converting existing. It’s essentially a money pit if you are bent on conversion.
This site claims that rough cost of conversion kit worth 150km range for alto is ₹7L.
Assuming optimistically that it’s same cost for making Nexon conversion, from base model, (₹7.3L exS) you already get to the cost of NEW Nexon EV base model if you covert old Nexon. Now
1. For assumption, even in worst driving cases, you’d be able to get 170-180km range on new Nexon EV. What’s use of paying same cost for conversion (and maybe labour and registration over it) to get lesser range?
2. The company built car is new, has ”new car appeal” and probably has far more features than the model you intend to convert.
3. Warranty-Guarantee on kits is unknown. Servicing is a headache. At least you can feel confident with OEM warranty and service network (even with the little maintenance that EVs need) of a car brand over a kit manufacturer.
4. You get some money from scrapping/selling your old car. We just sold away our Eon LPG 2012 for ₹1.2L in favour of getting a Nexon EV.
So it is far far better to sell off the old Nexon for what it’s worth and buy a Nexon EV (btw Nexon base variant has lesser features than Nexon EV base variant — Tata is bundling extra features in EV base model). Used Nexon just for comparison sake as there isn’t any proper alto EV alternative — again, the cost for converting Nexon to 150km range EV might be more due to need of bigger battery (due to its larger size than alto)
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Originally Posted by padmrajravi I dont know how easy or practical it is to implement this. But this is one of my dreams. Battery technology maturing to the extend that a battery roughly the size of a 60L fuel tank gives us about 600kms range . And then a motor in place of engine connected to the existing transmission such that all mechanicals work as original. I am praying for this law to actually happen and such conversion kits being available in 10 years. |
Size sure, but weight, absolutely no. Tesla batteries get to 500kg marks easily. And those are NCA/NMC cells which have more energy density (and more price) than LFP cells (which cheaper EVs like BYD and Tata use)
500kg is often the amount of weight over the kerb weight allowed on big 7 seat cars. (Correct me if wrong, but I’m too lazy to check what’s permissible occupant weight by CMVR)
No way you’re getting 600km range out of converted cars. Even Mercedes couldn’t give more than 450km range on EQC which is essentially stripped down GLC chassis adapted to electric powertrain — whereas bespoke EV platforms which Mercedes made the EQS and EQE on, have >500km range.
Sorry to say, but even “OEM Converted EVs” can’t get 500km so a crude third party workshop kit getting it, is a pipe dream.