[ausev] Hello and questions from an Austin EV newbie

[Gary Schulte]

Hi folks,

My name is Gary Schulte.  I am considering an electric car conversion
project with a VW Cabriolet.  I am still very much in the research
mode and am looking for some feedback from folks who have done a
conversion.  What are the post-conversion realities, costs involved,
etc.  I stumbled onto a blogger site about a cabrio conversion here in
Austin and followed the links to the AustinEV site and found this
mailing list.  Perhaps you all can provide some insight.

>From what I have seen there are turnkey type conversion kits through
electroauto (though *really* pricey).  Erik, the owner of the blogger
site I stumbled onto seems to have gone the electro-auto route.  So at
least one AustinEV'r has gone this route.  Is it worth the substantial
price outlay for the custom conversion kit?  One of the motorcycle
conversions that inspired me cost less than $700 including the
purchase price of the motorcycle.  Is the conversion of a small car
really that much more costly?  I can see how the brakes and
transmission would be more complex, but are the baseline components -
motor(s) and batteries going to be that much more expensive due to
size/output?  Is it worth it to go a more DIY route or will it going
to end up $10k in fabrication and components anyway to convert a
Cabriolet?

Another topic, battery tech - I commute approximately 90 miles a day.
I assume that SLA batteries will not work well in that situation -
even if I had that kind of range I am guessing that commute would kill
conventional batteries in short order.  What kind of battery options
are open for an electric conversion on a small vehicle that could
support 100+ miles/charge ?

I know there are EV cars that are supposedly coming soon, so the price
vs. availability vs. function are really going to play a part for me.
  Although I have heard quite a lot about plans and demos and release
dates, it seems to me that automakers view everything in terms of the
price of gasoline - as if no one thinks beyond their wallet (perhaps
largely accurate).  So I am guessing that since gas prices have
dropped and auto makers are suffering I shouldn't hold my breath for
an OEM EV.  Any input on the viability/liklihood of OEM options versus
a conversion would be greatly appreciated.

Lots to ask for a newbie - thanks in advance,

-Gary