More on the electric 2CV

Honest John Back Room » The Back Room Archive
What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
View Threaded
Thu 28 Feb 2002 09:55
More on the electric 2CV - Andrew Barnes

A few people were asking about the costs to convert the 2CV to electric. The most expensive part was the motor, it is a very hi tech design, meaning it has very compact dimensions, it cost around 1K! The whole conversion probably cost about 2.5K, although there were a lot of bits made like mounting plates, adapters etc.

Cheers

Andrew
www.hispecgolfs.co.uk
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 28 Feb 2002 09:58
Re: More on the electric 2CV - Dan J
Andrew

I had a question which I would've asked privately but given the interest maybe others will also be interested.

From the website I couldn't quite make it out - did you mount the motor onto the original gearbox and if so have you retained the clutch for changing gears whilst on the move?

Apologies for all the questions but this is something I have often fancied doing to a car when I can find the time and garage space!

Cheers
Dan
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 28 Feb 2002 10:00
Re: More on the electric 2CV - Dan J
Oh I see yes from your original post - no clutch. Still interested in the gearbox answer though!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 28 Feb 2002 10:06
Re: More on the electric 2CV - Andrew Barnes
Dan

The motor is mounted directly onto the original gearbox, you just change gear without the clutch - the syncro does the rest!

We used a 2CV because of it's simplicity - no vacuum needed for brakes etc etc. Theres also quite a lot of space under the bonnet for the batteries etc.

Cheers

Andrew
www.hispecgolfs.co.uk
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 28 Feb 2002 11:57
Re: More on the electric 2CV - peter
I can understand that since there is very little inertia in the motor that this is less destructive than with a petrol engine and will work for a period, however how is it possible to get the revs about right since the motor is (presumably) so quiet.

Also since the motor range (ratio of usable lowest to highest rpm) is much greater than petrol engine does this mean that you actually have to use the gears?

What are the power and torque characteristics of the electric motor vs revs?

Sorry I havent thought this thro' but I am sure that others will have similar thoughts.

PS what did your insurers have to say?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Thu 28 Feb 2002 13:44
Re: More on the electric 2CV - Andrew Barnes

It is actually possible to just drive in 2nd gear and 3rd gear and this also is probably better for preserving the charge in the batteries.

You don't need to match the speeds, the syncro does this for you, I suppose the gearbox might wear out prematurely, but 2CV gearboxes only cost about a tenner!

It is insured with Adrian Flux on a specialist policy and doesn't cost any more than a standard 2CV.

Andrew


>
> I can understand that since there is very little inertia in
> the motor that this is less destructive than with a petrol
> engine and will work for a period, however how is it possible
> to get the revs about right since the motor is (presumably)
> so quiet.
>
> Also since the motor range (ratio of usable lowest to
> highest rpm) is much greater than petrol engine does this
> mean that you actually have to use the gears?
>
> What are the power and torque characteristics of the electric
> motor vs revs?
>
> Sorry I havent thought this thro' but I am sure that others
> will have similar thoughts.
>
> PS what did your insurers have to say?
Reply | Report as offensive | Link