[ausev] non-profit conversions with donated cars

[Vivek Gani]

This sound like a great idea. I've been wanting to do an EV conversion for a
while but could not really justify it economically. This may finally change
my mind.

-Vivek

On 10/6/06, Carey King <careyking1 at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 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
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