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Reported by: John Clay Thursday, Sep 17, 2009 @10:26pm EDT Randy Stoltz drives a Honda Prelude almost every day. But he never fills up. That's because it doesn't run on gas anymore. He and a couple of friends converted it to electric. The project took about 6 months. Now it runs on $3,000 dollars worth of batteries.
The 24, 6 volt batteries are wired together, and send 144 volts through a controller and electric motor. An overnight charge costs about a dollar. With that, Stoltz can go about 70 miles and can hit 75 miles an hour. This project wasn't just about saving money. For Stoltz, the retro-fit was a challenge, and it helps the planet. It also gives him a new appreciation of driving and conserving energy. 70% of americans drive less than 40 miles a day and could use an electric car. But it isn't suited for steep hills. Stoltz suggests having a gas powered or hybrid vehicle too. But if you want to go electric, consider your options. This prelude cost about $15,000. Far less than the $40,000 electric volt from Chevy. Nissan is coming out with the electric leaf. It runs on lithium ion batteries. Which is the same as what's used in a lap top. |
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