Opinion – The Torque Academy https://thetorqueacademy.com Mon, 09 Mar 2026 00:53:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.1.1 https://thetorqueacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/cropped-Logo-The-Torque-Academy-2-32x32.png Opinion – The Torque Academy https://thetorqueacademy.com 32 32 Redemptive Voltage: 5 EV Conversions That Give Souls To Their Donors https://thetorqueacademy.com/redemptive-voltage-5-ev-conversions-that-give-souls-to-their-donors/ https://thetorqueacademy.com/redemptive-voltage-5-ev-conversions-that-give-souls-to-their-donors/#respond Mon, 08 Sep 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://thetorqueacademy.com/?p=2058 Some cars are born with a soul. A few are rowdy and unhinged, some are elegant and composed, and others feel tough and utilitarian—tools of purpose rather than expression. Then there are the blank slates: the cars that serve a purpose but never quite connect. That doesn’t mean they aren’t great machines. A car doesn’t need a soul to be a brilliant piece of engineering.

But somewhere between the soulful and the soulless lies a third category—vehicles that almost had something to say. Cars that were close. And often, what held them back was the powertrain. In these cases, an EV conversion isn’t just a performance upgrade—it’s a second chance at identity.

In this article, I want to share five vehicles that I believe would benefit immensely from going electric—not because of speed, torque, or efficiency, but because an EV swap would finally bring their original design ethos to life. We’ve talked before about how EV conversions can be emotional, not just logical. This is that idea, taken to the next level. NOTE: this list is not in any particular order, so this is not a “top 5” list. Just a list.

1. Geo Tracker

The Geo Tracker was, in my opinion, one of those vehicles that just looks cool. Its cartoon-y looks, relatively decent (for the price) off-road capability, and its low price point made for a very interesting value proposition back in the 80s and 90s. However, its powertrain was just there, existing. Serving a purpose, sure, and getting the job done, but it was just not something that takes your breath away, nor something you wake up thinking about. With a modest EV powertrain, and a combined range of around 80 miles this would be a very interesting thing to drive around town, or maybe take to trails nearby. Immediate pedal response, loads of torque and a quiet ride with the top down would make this a very interesting weekend cruiser.

2. Chrysler 300

Many iterations of this vehicle have won the hearts and minds of a lot of people. Since its reintroduction in the 2000s, we’ve seen this affordable luxury sedan boast a decent V6, a brawny 5.7L V8 and even a delightful 6.4L V8. Though the V6 was a decent powerplant, with its latest iteration producing close to 300 hp, I personally believe an EV powertrain would complement this vehicle’s luxurious aura perfectly. Smooth suspension, comfortable interior and an exterior design that sets it apart from the “lesser” sedans of its class, an EV powertrain would give a base model Chrysler 300 what it lacked from the factory: torque, unparalleled smoothness and a technological touch that the V6 just couldn’t provide.

3. Ford Escort ZX2

This, to me, was a very interesting product proposition in the 90s and 2000s. The reason is simple: a compact, 2 door coupe, that was not trying too hard to be sporty, luxurious nor aggressive, that delivered decent fuel economy, interior space, and features for every day commuting. I just love cars like this because of their uninteresting nature, yet quirky design, that delivered nothing more than what they promised, but seemed to have something more. Though very far from a sportscar, I believe the torquey nature of an EV powertrain would elevate the experience of this “sporty economy coupe” to a very decent autocross platform. Make no mistake, though: a ton of power on this platform would, in my humble opinion, ruin the experience. But with a decent amount of power, immediate and smooth torque delivery, and probably a realistic range of 20 to 30 miles to keep battery mass on the lower side, this would become a VERY interesting autocross rig. You would definitely have to tow it to the event and back, and maybe keep a generator handy for charging it between sessions, but fun isn’t always simple!

4. Oldsmobile Toronado Trofeo

I think this is my favorite proposition of this list because of a very simple reason: its futuristic design. Now, think of this vehicle in terms of the design ethos of the era, and what the vehicle was supposed to represent to General Motors in their product portfolio at the time: the luxury coupe class was booming, and luxury has many different meanings. For some brands it was chrome and leather, for others it was size, presence and power, but Oldsmobile chose a different route: technology. With its CRT Graphic Control Center to control everything from audio, HVAC and trip computer, its plush interior, and its aerodynamic design with American presence, the Toronado Trofeo was appealing to people interested in “the future”. I love this idea, but I do not love its 3.8L V6. Not from its specs on paper, not from how it drives, and not from how it fits into this idea of “the future”. Plus, its Front Wheel Drive configuration was definitely not adding to the experience of a driver’s car. So what about this beautiful futuristic car, reimagined with a decent amount of power (not too much since it’s FWD… we can talk about why in a different article), a range of about 100 miles, and the smooth pedal experience only an electric machine can provide?

5. Chevrolet Astro Van

The utilitarian addition to give this list a solid foundation. “Why would you want an electric Astro Van?” you ask. Because why the fuck not. Tons of space for batteries and cargo, enough space for a powerful DC motor, and a platform that can take a beating, this would be a great EV conversion to either haul things around town, or do crazy burnouts, or maybe take to the drag strip, or maybe even off-road. I think this conversion can do it all, other than a road course or autocross… unless…?

Look, after all, EV conversions don’t make a lot of sense for the everyday enthusiast, nor should they. Human beings have something driving us to create. We create life, we create poetry, we create visual and auditive art that fills our hearts. This right here is creating. Using our hands and brains to meditatively put things together to create something. It can be abstract art, it can be building a table no one needed, crafting the most useless coffee mug from mud… or slapping a Tesla rear drive unit onto a 90s Astro Van, but creating something is part of our nature. Try creating something every time you can!

Cold Trips – a story

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Stalls – a story

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]]> https://thetorqueacademy.com/redemptive-voltage-5-ev-conversions-that-give-souls-to-their-donors/feed/ 0 How to make your EV conversion engaging https://thetorqueacademy.com/how-to-make-your-ev-conversion-engaging/ https://thetorqueacademy.com/how-to-make-your-ev-conversion-engaging/#respond Mon, 23 Jun 2025 04:26:41 +0000 https://thetorqueacademy.com/?p=2049 We hear it every day: electric vehicles are very fast, very efficient, cheaper to maintain; the future is here. As true as this might be, there’s something missing: soul. Not everyone is into EVs, and the main reason seems to be almost unanimous amongst enthusiasts: they are boring. I tend to disagree in general, since, as an engineer, I find them fun and engaging in very different ways than ICE powered vehicles. I like their smoothness, the cleverness behind noise masking (since there’s no combustion pulses), the various ways in which torque is filtered as to avoid snapping axles with such immediate and high torque, the intelligent torque split in multi-motor EVs, even planning charging stops on long road trips. But these things are engaging to me as an engineer since I make a living analyzing exactly those systems and features, not because they are engaging per se for the general enthusiast community.

What makes a car engaging, then? I think the industry has figured it out, as I’ll try to convey in this article, but making a modern enthusiast car isn’t as simple as it might seem to some people. Regulations, overall market behavior and safety standards have become priority, and rightfully so, in order to protect consumers, provide them with the most value, and, yes, create shareholder value. As ironic as that last statement might seem, it’s true: a corporation that sells vehicles at a mass scale cannot survive if investors don’t put their money into it, and they won’t unless they get more money back than what they originally put in, right? That’s shareholder value!

So, what should an enthusiast do? Well, I think some OEMs are doing the best they can to provide enthusiasts with great products even under today’s market and regulatory constraints (there are many examples of this, thankfully), and some other OEMs even exist only to provide these types of experiences (Ferrari?), but I think us DIY enthusiasts can and should take control of some of our desire for engagement.

What makes a car engaging?

Mechanical Feedback

One of the most engaging aspects of driving a car is the feedback you get from the machine. From the accelerator pedal response, to the mechanical sound and feel of shifting gears on a manual transmission, to the weight of the steering wheel on different surfaces and driving conditions, these characteristics make the vehicle feel special. If you’ve ever heard that BMWs have a very numb steering feel, then you understand what we’re talking about here.

Sound

The most important aspect of an engaging car is, hands down, the sound it makes. Or sounds. Exhaust note is one of the most important aspects in an ICE-powered car, but it isn’t the only thing. Tire noise, suspension sounds and even certain cabin rattles make the experience more or less enjoyable. Engine sound, apart from exhaust note, is also critical. I make the distinction between engine sound and exhaust because it’s not always about a loud exhaust, or a particular exhaust note, it’s also the rotating components, firing order, and intake sound. My Civic Si had a horrible exhaust note, but the engine’s sound was very enjoyable, particularly when that VTEC kicked in.  

Vehicle Dynamics

The notion of old, long vehicles driving like boats is not that far-fetched. They do drive as though floating on water. Body roll was crazy, squatting and diving under acceleration seemed excessive, but comfort was unmatched. On the other hand, a modern Mini Cooper is like driving an oversized go kart: nimble, quick to turn, and planted under most driving conditions. The characteristics that make up what we call ‘Vehicle Dynamics’ help define the vehicle’s mission, and with it, its character. You wouldn’t want a high-powered car that drives like a boat, unless you’re into Hellcats.  

Emotional Connection

This is what it all boils down to for me: emotional connection. I’ve had the privilege of owning different cars throughout my lifetime, from cheap shit boxes to decent “luxury sedans”, but the ones I have enjoyed the most possess certain characteristics that make them very special to me. For one, the vehicle has to be part of my life: road trips, adventures and friendships are made, shared or experienced aplenty with or around this machine. The second most important is working on it myself. Whether maintenance or repairs, the effort, care and frustration involved in keeping the car in mint condition helps me bond with it. I don’t develop this emotional attachment to a car whenever it only serves as A to B transportation, has a warranty, and needs nothing from me.

An engaging EV conversion

Making an EV conversion engaging requires manipulating the things we talked about above in such a way that it becomes an activity to drive it, not an afterthought. We want to make it more like riding a horse: it requires skill to read into the horse’s behavior, to know what it might do next, to know how to act such that it in turn reacts in an expected manner. EVs are so advanced and so toned down in this regard that we know we can step on the accelerator pedal and it goes, step on the brakes and it stops, engage some level of autonomous driving and it will basically take us where we’re going. That is not the case with true engaging vehicles.

We want to hear the motor spinning, we want to hear some tire noise, to feel some steering feedback. The accelerator pedal is not only a control surface for altering vehicle speed, it’s also a portal into weight distribution, traction feel, and sometimes unexpected behaviors that require your full attention. Shifting gears is optional, but highly rewarding in many cases. Even quick shifting automatic transmissions have a high level of engagement under the right circumstances. A car might need to be uncomfortable in order to feel engaging. Maybe Recaro bucket seats are not ideal for long road trips, but they do a hell of a job for late night city cruising with the boys. Engagement comes from NOT being able to drive a car if you’re texting or looking for the right song on your Apple CarPlay deck; the car should demand your full attention.

So, with these thoughts I would encourage you to think deep about this question: how do we make an EV conversion that’s engaging? Converting a car is one thing and that is the most engaging part of this whole community, but once it’s converted, how do we make it remarkably fun?

NOTE: There’s also a fine line between engaging, DIY and unsafe. We do NOT want to surf that line. We do not want engagement to come from the adrenaline of not knowing if the car will stop, or if the car might catch on fire. This isn’t a rally race in the 70s. We’re talking about a vehicle that might be driven on public roads, with innocent bystanders that do not care about your enthusiasm but about making it home to their families. So please do not come here with those “adrenaline makes it fun” or “unreliable is engaging” bullshit stories. That’s the equivalent of “street takeovers are car culture”. They are not. Be a responsible DIYer, please.

Cold Trips – a story

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Boring. Dark. Cold. The industrial warehouse where we sat was furnished to resemble a corporate…

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Stalls – a story

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]]> https://thetorqueacademy.com/how-to-make-your-ev-conversion-engaging/feed/ 0 Imperfect EV conversions – The Joy of Building and Feeling Useful https://thetorqueacademy.com/imperfect-ev-conversions-the-joy-of-building-and-feeling-useful/ https://thetorqueacademy.com/imperfect-ev-conversions-the-joy-of-building-and-feeling-useful/#respond Mon, 09 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://thetorqueacademy.com/?p=2045 Gone are the days when an inventor would tinker in his own farm, develop a new tractor, bicycle or car and use it for what it was: a useful tool. Today, most of the new inventions revolve around profits. The majority of the western world, particularly in first world countries, thinks that inventions need to be protected, licensed and exploited for profits. They think that their sole purpose is to make us rich, or at least pay for themselves. Modern societies have benefitted vastly from commercializing innovations and I think that intellectual property protection served as a catalyst for inclusive institutions to flourish, allowing for societies that see technological advancement as a way of life, and therefore, increase our odds of survival. In other words, intellectual property and its commercialization is good.

I know that the previous paragraph sounds like a mouthful, so if you’re still reading, here’s my point: innovation is not owned by corporations. Corporations CAN and DO innovate, but nothing stops you from trying it yourself, not even in the EV world, where technology seems so complex and overwhelming.

What does innovation have to do with EV conversions? EV conversions are nothing new, the technology has existed for longer than we think. But innovation is triggered by exploring, playing and trying new things. Tinkering.

Build a life of fulfilment

Kids play, animals play, and adults should try it to. Playing is the act of exploring our environments, and it’s a powerful tool to learn new things. In adulthood, it could even be a way of leading a happier life.

Fulfilment is something we all strive for, but not everyone understands what it might mean for themselves, so here’s a quick tip: if you’re reading this blog, most likely you like to build things, and maybe that is part of your life’s fulfilment.

Going back to the first article of our SPARK methodology series, you might recall that I suggested EV conversions are a form of expression, more so than a strictly useful, purpose-driven activity. In most industrialized nations today, an electric vehicle can be bought from the used market at a relatively affordable price in comparison with some of their ICE counterparts. So building an EV conversion for the sole purpose of transportation does not make the most sense (in most cases!).

So why would anyone build an EV conversion?

Building things makes us feel joy. It makes us feel capable, useful, and fulfilled.

When someone builds new things and uses them, there’s this feeling of “hey look what I did!”. I think it’s an instinct, possibly an evolutionary trait that causes amusement, joy, hope, which we want to share with the world. How many times have we fixed something seemingly insignificant and wanted to share it with our significant other, friends, or family? Or even social media!

Have you ever searched YouTube for tutorials on how to fix things? (Rhetorical question, I doubt anyone still reading this blog would answer ‘no’) These tutorials are very easy to find for most things; there’s always a person very proud of what they did trying to share it with others. This is no coincidence; I strongly believe it is evolution unfolding right in front of our eyes. Maybe it’s a tool to spread knowledge, generate a sense of community, or create hope in others that things can be better if we put the effort.

Imperfection as a tool

Building things = fulfilment. But what should we aim to build? Honestly, whatever you feel like. But keep it imperfect.

OEM’s need to keep things very efficient, precise and controlled in order to replicate the product at a mass scale. Corporations have mastered the art of producing seemingly identical products at a scale our ancestors would have never imagined, and that has changed the world. The USA won World War II mainly thanks to the military industrial complex. Many people have access to food, shelter, clothing, and medicine thanks to mass scale production. We have cars to love thanks to it too.

But we tinkerers don’t have to do that. We don’t need to be super precise with every little measurement, material or calculation. Imperfection is part of what makes things interesting to build: how many trips to the hardware store does it take to install a supercharger? Or replace a clutch? Things sometimes won’t go well, and for certain projects, it’s for the better.

I advocate for imperfect projects even though I make a living trying to achieve the ever-elusive idea of ‘perfection’ at an OEM. The reason why I do this is simple: I see projects, such as EV conversions, as a form of fulfilment; something that helps me translate my knowledge, skills and passion for learning into a tangible (and hopefully drivable) object. It makes me feel like playing with Legos or building cities out of carboard boxes for my Hot Wheels cars. It causes frustration that can be overcome by learning.

That’s why I think imperfection is a tool. Use it.

Cold Trips – a story

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Boring. Dark. Cold. The industrial warehouse where we sat was furnished to resemble a corporate…

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Stalls – a story

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]]> https://thetorqueacademy.com/imperfect-ev-conversions-the-joy-of-building-and-feeling-useful/feed/ 0 Beyond Efficiencies https://thetorqueacademy.com/beyond-efficiencies/ https://thetorqueacademy.com/beyond-efficiencies/#respond Mon, 02 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000 https://thetorqueacademy.com/?p=2037 Today’s automotive world is a very interesting one. I started my career in the automotive industry at an OEM in Detroit back in 2016. Doesn’t feel like such a long time has passed, but the machinery of electrification was already accelerating. What we call “conventional vehicles” today (gasoline-powered cars) were just “vehicles” back then. A powertrain engineer designed, well, powertrains. Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) powertrains were the norm in most of the western world at least, and we had a choice as consumers between smaller 4-cylinder turbo, mid-size V6, or heavier V8 engines. A few hybrids here and there were making their way to the top sellers, but those were an exception, not a norm.

“Energy efficiency”, “lower emissions”, “greenhouse gases”, these are some of the terms that have been mainstream in the automotive world for decades now. Since the Arab oil embargo of the 70s, the importance of lower fuel consumption, and lower tailpipe emissions has been at the forefront of powertrain design. However, I feel that things drastically changed in the mid-2010s when the industry and the consumer base started noticing the advantages of electrification: lower fuel consumption, lower tailpipe emissions, and in some cases, even better drivability.

Hybrids stopped being “cars for hippies” (Toyota Prius?) and became interesting value propositions. They also became part of the enthusiast community in some cases, like the affordable and efficient, manual transmission hybrid Honda CRZ, or the beautiful and impressive Acura NSX (ahead of its time, IMO).

But while this was happening, we (the automotive industry) were programming our consumer base to expect more, and we did that by making things more complex. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) are an engineering marvel, for example. A vehicle that can be driven in all-electric mode, hybrid, or ICE only? You have 2 powertrains in one car! Sounds amazing, and it is in many particular use cases. But the majority of our efforts were put into making complex systems reliable, affordable, and efficient. We gave people what they wanted, which is very important, but some of the essence went away.

I’m not saying it’s only because of OEMs that the essence of automotive brilliance was affected, it’s a mixture of market behavior, government policies and corporate dynamics. But the fact is that emotional products are not as common as they were. People were more in touch with their cars in the past, owner’s manuals taught you how to test a spark plug, adjust your valves or replace certain components for servicing. Today owner’s manuals give you the bare minimum information about servicing your car since OEMs prefer consumers take them in to the dealership for service. And more so for hybrids and EVs; the technology relies so much on controls systems and software that servicing at home becomes more of a problem to both consumer and OEM.

I personally love hybrids. I also love EVs. I also love ICE. I’m not saying what the industry is doing is wrong: I am passionate about the industry and I believe the complexity is needed and justified.

What I’m trying to say here is: think of EVs beyond their efficiencies. Think of them as a new form of transportation that could be as emotion-driven as the automotive creations of the past. They will not replace ICE in that regard. No EV could possibly elicit the emotion of hearing a V12 scream, or a cammed-V8 cold start.

But they don’t have to! EVs can cause their own emotions. Speed, acceleration, quietness: maybe these are not the characteristics that will inspire a generation, but there might be some others. Range and instant torque are great, but that’s not what motivates me to drive one.

The smoothness of torque, the feel I get from regen, the ability of stopping overnight during a long road trip, connecting it to a charger and waking up with “a full tank”. That’s what I love about my own EV. But that’s just me. And that doesn’t replace the rumble of my V8, or the mechanical feel of a manual transmission, or the pride I get from maintaining my old carbureted sport bike. I don’t want it to.

I encourage you to pay attention to EVs from a different light: look at what they give you beyond efficiencies. Make a list, maybe even share it here. It might be hard for the enthusiast community to think of new forms in which EVs can connect to our emotional selves since we grew up wrenching, changing oil and listening to different exhaust notes and vibrations. But let’s give it a try. EVs are here to stay, anyway.  

Cold Trips – a story

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Boring. Dark. Cold. The industrial warehouse where we sat was furnished to resemble a corporate…

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Stalls – a story

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]]> https://thetorqueacademy.com/beyond-efficiencies/feed/ 0 My First EV Conversion – A Thought Exercise https://thetorqueacademy.com/my-first-ev-conversion-a-thought-exercise/ https://thetorqueacademy.com/my-first-ev-conversion-a-thought-exercise/#respond Mon, 26 May 2025 01:00:00 +0000 https://thetorqueacademy.com/?p=2028 Our EV conversion series delved into EV conversions: what they are, why they exist, and how to do one. Though it was an introductory series and in no way a detailed how-to, I really hope we helped you get a better understanding of the process of converting a vehicle to EV, and what to consider before starting.  

This topic is a very interesting one to me, personally, and I want to share my thoughts about doing a first EV conversion from the standpoint of a “student”, so to speak, since I have never done one myself.

What would MY first EV conversion look like?

 I’m going to freestyle this section since I think “flowing” through it will make it much more enjoyable to me, than would following a strict process like we do at the OEM level. This is very important for me to emphasize: enjoy the process. It feels slightly contradictory since we spent months writing a whole series on how to design an EV conversion and prepare for the project using our SPARK method, which seems a bit square, orderly and at times “boring”.  The idea behind SPARK, though, is to introduce you to many concepts, systems, and ideas about EVs in a systematic way. You can follow that system blindly, or you can grab bits and pieces at your own pace.

Now, have you ever thought about Harley-Davidson and the ethos behind their motorcycles? I’m not a Harley fanboy, I don’t own one, and I didn’t grow up dreaming of owning one, but I recently learned more about what most people love about them: simplicity. Nowadays the automotive industry has been plagued with all sorts of vehicles that seem bland: white SUVs with huge screens, blind spot monitoring and an engine so boring it hurts. These things are engineering marvels, but we have grown so accustomed to great engineering, powerful engines and comfortable rides that some of us have become bored with the offerings. The motorcycle industry, though slightly different in this regard, seems to be heading this way. Fuel injection, catalytic converters and even electrification have been taking over showrooms for years now, and though more capable, clean and reliable than ever before, some people want something else.

Enter simplicity. Harley-Davidson motorcycles, as described by purists, have always been “easy to work on, simple and dead-reliable”. What do these people mean? Well, you just have to look at what they were: a carbureted, air cooled, V-Twin engine that had tolerances so wide it could withstand abuse and neglect. Yeah, these motorcycles have a reputation of leaking oil and making more noise than power, vibrating themselves into a pile of chrome pieces in your garage, but we have to look at the idea behind their design.

You see, these machines had almost no fluff: engine, lights, starter, drivetrain. That’s it. Yeah, they weren’t the most efficient, quiet, refined or powerful machines, but they got the job done and they could be serviced anywhere. You never had to worry about an old school Harley “tripping a check engine light”, it ran or it didn’t. If it didn’t you serviced it, plain and simple. No dealer appointment, just a few beers and a wrench.

Why am I rambling about Harleys, the modern automotive industry, and boring engineering? Because I believe my first EV conversion, and maybe even yours, should aim to be the Harley of EV conversions: dead simple.

It’s easier to complete

I’m an automotive engineer, and I am a certified gasoline engine technician. This does not make me a SKILLED technician. I sometimes know what I’m doing, but most of the time I’m searching YouTube for video tutorials, googling shop manuals, and double checking the right-hand rule (righty tighty, lefty loosey?). This, combined with my overall knowledge and experience gives me the confidence to tackle SOME projects. But practice makes perfect, and I have 0 practice converting an ICE powered vehicle to EV.

Some of you will have much more experience, balls and knowledge than I do, and by all means, if you want your first EV conversion to be a dual Tesla swapped Corvette, go for it. And share it in the comments. But I assume most of you will want to attempt something easier.

Going all Harley on my first EV conversion allows me to focus on a few systems to get them right, and gives me the ability to finish a project in a shorter period, which I appreciate for my first attempt. I can upgrade later.

Simplicity

Cool, simplicity. What does that mean for an EV conversion? This section will try to convey what I’d look for in terms of components for my first conversion.

Worth noting is that I would focus on kits and/or brand-new components: I want to have the technical support I might need from the supplier, and I want to have as much technical documentation or previous experience from other builders that I can access online. I want to make this process as simple as possible so I can get the first one done the best way I can.  Remember: my focus here is on the conversion process itself, not on the selection process, nor the process of adapting recycled components, or building my own battery packs. Just the conversion.

Motor

The simplest motor one can choose is a DC brushed motor. Sturdy and battle tested; this type of electric motor can do it all. All, but regenerative braking, that is. Harleys aren’t efficient either, so that’s a hit I’m willing to take.

These days, however, DC motors are not the cheapest systems, especially when dealing with brand-new components, or full conversion kits. AC motors have come a long way in the EV conversion market, and their controllers are very advanced, offering extensive customization and very useful features like regenerative braking.

Having said all of this, my first choice in today’s market would be a simple 3 phase AC motor. I won’t get into specific details about which particular product I’d choose since I haven’t done the full calculation, that might come at a later time. Just think of this: I want something that works right out of the box, has enough power, is air cooled, and doesn’t require a lot of maintenance.

Battery

I’d go for a small capacity battery pack, something that gives me a few miles of range, maybe 50 (I’ll define this in future articles). I would go for something coming from a kit too, that way I can guarantee the BMS included has been tested with the pack I choose, and I have some support from the supplier. I don’t have a preference for chemistry at this point; I’d even go NiMH if the price is right.

Charger

My OBCM would be something small, probably something around 3kW since my small battery pack and low range expectations don’t really require fast charging or multiple charges a day. This is a project for cruising around town every now and then, not my daily driver.

DC/DC Converter

My first conversion wouldn’t have AC nor cabin heat since I don’t want to deal with liquids or gases (coolant and/or refrigerant gas), so I wouldn’t need more than 1000W.

Auxiliary Systems

Brake vacuum pump and an electro-hydraulic steering pump would be the only auxiliary systems I’d consider. The electro-hydraulic steering pump would be optional, honestly, since I’m not aiming for comfort and that component adds complexity. If my donor vehicle has a hydraulic power steering system, and my budget allows for it, I’ll do it, otherwise I won’t sweat too much (pun intended, I’d definitely sweat without AC and power steering).

Stating the obvious

Honestly, I don’t think I added much to the discussion in terms of technical expertise, creativity or ground breaking advice in the previous paragraphs, but that wasn’t the intention. Today, my intention was to state the obvious: simplicity is king.

We live in a world where, for many people, technology seems more advanced the more complex it is. The harder it is to understand, the more some people value its impact to our society, environment, etcetera. Now, I don’t want to paint myself here as the #1 fan of simple technology; I make a living developing complex hybrid vehicles with many failure points and the simplicity of a space ship, and I love them. But truth be told: I think our society would benefit from admiring simplicity, more than screens, apps and overwhelming networks.

Many car enthusiasts today complain about manufacturers not selling fun, simple, lightweight vehicles with manual transmissions and an analog tachometer. But the overwhelming majority of people prefers a machine that thinks for them, a dealership that cares for it, and a driving experience that doesn’t feel like an activity to engage in. We are absorbed by our phones, our computers and our tasks so much that driving from work back home seems like an interruption to the never-ending flow of information from our devices to our conscious minds.

Driving should be an activity that requires attention, skill, and time. There was a time when moving from one place to another was done by walking through dangerous terrain, more like a survival skill than a pleasurable activity.

Have you ever heard of the saying about a dog slowing you down if you take them on a hike with you? “Maybe that’s the point” is what they say. So, here’s my thought: driving a machine that requires thought, skill, care and understanding might slow your day down.

Maybe that’s the point.

Cold Trips – a story

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Boring. Dark. Cold. The industrial warehouse where we sat was furnished to resemble a corporate…

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Stalls – a story

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It was a chilly Pennsylvania morning. Jamie was late to work again; he forgot to…

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