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How do you convert a car to electric?

I want to convert a car to electric. I don’t want to just buy a new EV because I like my current combustion car. What are the best ways to convert a car to electric?

avatar
Ru Chen · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
It’s totally understandable that you would prefer converting a car to electric instead of buying a new one!
**Combustion vehicle to electric conversion **is essentially swapping the combustion engine in a conventional car to an electric one.
A conventional vehicle can be converted to a hybrid electric vehicle (HEV), a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), or an all-electric vehicle (EV).
The process can be pretty technical and heavy-duty tools are required. It is a job probably left to the professionals.
However, the basic steps to convert a car to an EV are:
  1. Remove the internal combustion engine of the car
  2. Add in a battery pack and one (or more) electric motors
  3. Add in high-voltage cables and other instrumentation
Typically, electric conversions are performed on smaller and lighter vehicles due to the added weight of the new components in order to meet emissions and safety requirements.
This is definitely a project that
aspiring electric car mechanics
may be interested in.
An electric retrofit will cost around $6,000 to $20,000, and it can be a fairly big time and financial commitment.
In the long run, owning an EV can save you a lot of money on gas and other expenses that conventional cars have.
You can save even more with
cheap insurance
for your shiny new EV!
For the best rates and coverage options, consider using the
Jerry
app. Jerry gathers personalized insurance quotes from over 50 top providers, like Nationwide and Travelers, in seconds for free.
MORE: Which EVs Offer the Best Range? A Price-Per-Mile Comparison
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