BUILD, CONVERT, OR BUY A STATE-OF-THE-ART ELECTRIC VEHICLE Thoroughly revised and expanded, Build Your Own Electric Vehicle, Third Edition, is your go-to guide for converting an internal combustion engine vehicle to electric or building an EV from the ground up. You'll also find out about the wide variety of EVs available for purchase and how they're being built. This new edition details all the latest breakthroughs, including AC propulsion and regenerative braking systems, intelligent controllers, batteries, and charging technologies. Filled with updated photos, this cutting-edge resource fully describes each component--motor, battery, controller, charger, and chassis--and provides illustrated, step-by-step instructions on how to assemble all the parts. Exclusive web content features current supplier and dealer lists. Custom-built for environmentalists, engineers, students, hobbyists, and mechanics, this hands-on guide puts you in the fast lane toward a cost-effective, reliable green machine. Build Your Own Electric Vehicle, Third Edition, covers: Environmental impact and energy savings The best EV for you--purchase trade-offs, conversion trade-offs, and conversion costs Chassis and design Different types of electric motors and controllers Lithium EV batteries Chargers and electrical systems EV builds and conversions Licensing and insuring your EV Driving and maintenance List of manufacturers and dealers regularly updated on website

A step-by-step guide to building an electric motorcycle from the ground up Written by alternative fuel expert Carl Vogel, this hands-on guide gives you the latest technical information and easy-to-follow instructions for building a two-wheeled electric vehicle--from a streamlined scooter to a full-sized motorcycle. Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle puts you in hog heaven when it comes to hitting the road on a reliable, economical, and environmentally friendly bike. Inside, you'll find complete details on every component, including motor, batteries, and frame. The book covers electric motorcycles currently on themarket and explains how to convert an existing vehicle. Pictures, diagrams, charts, and graphs illustrate each step along the way. Whether you want to get around town on a sleek ride or cruise the super slab on a tricked-out chopper, this is the book for you. Build Your Own Electric Motorcycle covers: Energy savings and environmental benefits Rake, trail, and fork angle Frame and design Batteries and chargers DC and AC motor types Motor controllers Accessories and converters Electrical system and wiring Conversion process Safety, maintenance, and troubleshooting

Go Green-Go Electric! Faster, Cheaper, More Reliable While Saving Energy and the Environment “Empowering people with the tools to convert their own vehicles provides an immediate path away from petroleum dependence and should be part of the solutions portfolio.” – Chelsea Sexton, Co-founder, Plug In America and featured in Who Killed the Electric Car? “Create a superior driving experience, strengthen America, and restore the planet’s ecosystems...that’s the promise of this book and it’s well worth a read!” – Josh Dorfman, Founder & CEO – Vivavi, Modern Green Furniture Store; Author, The Lazy Environmentalist: Your Guide to Easy, Stylish, Green Living. This new, updated edition of Build Your Own Electric Vehicle contains everything that made the first edition so popular while adding all the technological advances and new parts that are readily available on the market today. Build Your Own Electric Vehicle gets on the expressway to a green, ecologically sound, cost-effective way that even can look cool, too! This comprehensive how-to goes through the process of transforming an internal combustion engine vehicle to electric or even building an EV from scratch for as much or even cheaper than purchasing a traditional car. The book describes each component in detail---motor, battery, controller, charger, and chassis---and provides step-by-step instructions on how to put them all together. Build Your Own Electric Vehicle, Second Edition, covers: EV vs. Combustible Engine Overview Environmental and Energy Savings EV Evolution since the First Electric Car Current Purchase and Conversion Costs Chassis and Design Today's Best Motors Battery Discharging/Charging Styles Electrical Systems Licensing and Insurance Issues Driving Maintenance Related Clubs and Associations Additional Resources

A Step-by-Step Guide to Building a Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle from the Ground Up Written by clean energy guru and electric vehicle expert Seth Leitman, this hands-on guide gives you the latest technical information and easy-to-follow instructions for building a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV). "Written by Seth Leitman, longtime green vehicle/sustainability expert and author of "Build Your Own Electric Vehicle," this 275-page book provides an overview of the technology and the issues in doing a conversion, and it works well as a different way in to the open source material that can be found at http://www.eaa-phev.org or the easier-to-remember http://www.priusplus.org." -- CalCars.org Build Your Own Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle puts you in the driver's seat when it comes to hitting the road in a reliable, economical, and environmentally friendly ride. Inside, you'll find complete details on the hybrid powertrain and all the required components, including the motor, battery, and chassis. The book covers the plug-in hybrids currently on the market as well as hybrid conversion companies, conversion kits, and related resources. Pictures, diagrams, charts, and graphs illustrate each step along the way. With this how-to guide on hand, you'll be behind the wheel of your own plug-in hybrid electric automobile in no time! Build Your Own Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle covers: Energy savings and environmental benefits PHEV background Drivetrain components and design Chassis selection DC and AC motor types Batteries and chargers The conversion process Licensing and insurance Safety, maintenance, troubleshooting, and warranties Clubs and associations Additional resources