[ausev] non-profit conversions with donated cars

[Carey King]

All,

I don't know if this fits into the mission of AustinEV and where some of 
you want to go, but I'm throwing this out there anyway.

I have spoken with Brian Menses, president of 800CharityCars 
(www.800charitycars.org), about using his organization to donate cars to 
a non-profit (as they normally do with some cars) to do EV conversions. 
He was very excited about the idea as 1) he thought of this idea himself 
about a year ago and 2) he has a general environmental mindset.

With that being said, I've stated initial discussions with him about how 
a partnership might work with AustinEV or some other newly formed 
non-profit. Normally his organization takes donated cars in any 
condition. Depending upon the condition of the car, they either salvage 
it (for $$) or give it to needy families free of charge. They do NO 
restoration work. The idea could roughly be to follow that model.

The question is how to pay for the cars. He says that his organization 
does quite well financially, so I think there is a good chance 
800CharityCars could fund part of the effort, as well as raise publicity 
for generating more $$ or part donations.

Brian says he has cars that would fit the bill for EV conversions (i.e. 
nice bodies but messed up engines). I don't know of the quantities yet, 
but it sounds like he gets quite a bit of donations.

Anyway, I'm to get back with him on the rough conversion costs for EVs. 
Since I have not done conversions myself (yet!), I was hoping some of 
you in the group could write something up, or give me some basic data 
and numbers to give to him, on the following topics (and add whatever 
I'm forgetting that you think is important at this point):

1. Typical car models that are good for EV conversions.
2. Any cost of parts (without labor) for EV conversions with expected EV 
specs (# batteries and range for city driving).
3. Any reduction in costs you think are feasible due to partnering with 
parts suppliers for any reasonable volumes (I guess 100 EVs or so a year?).
4. Any ideas for potential partnering organizations.

Any comments or questions are welcomed. Thanks.

Carey