Electricnick, The EV Revolution

As we mentioned before, the Mazda Miata is a natural if and when the company decides to turn it into an electric vehicle, EV.  However, some people didn’t want to wait and decided to take it upon themselves to convert it.

The gist small, light and convertible cars make for great electric propulsion platforms.  Converting some of these cars makes sense.  The Mazda Miata is probably one of the best platform to transform. It is light, handles very well, and well, it’s just so darn cute!

From Dream To Reality.  We met up with Mary Lou Wang after noticing her electric Miata at Cars and Coffee and finally at the West Coast Electric Parade.  We asked her to describe what was the reasoning behind their project and what it took.  Here is a recap of the interview:

“Twenty years ago I thought my next car would be electric, but  nothing much was available.  I knew nothing about them.  Then I saw  “Who Killed the Electric Car” and realized I could have an electric by converting one. The next day I joined the local chapter in San Diego of the Electric Vehicle Association of America which was very active,  fun and has smart people.  I started thinking about what kind of car I  wanted and settled on the Mazda Miata since I had owned one in the past.  They were lightweight, fun to drive and plenty of them are  available.  I found the one I wanted online, bought it and drove it a few months until I was ready for the electric conversion.

“The EVA members were most helpful and suggested another member, Bob Van Gorder for a professional electric conversion.  I remember buying  my last tank of gas and drove it to his shop in Ramona, CA.  We  decided to use the proven technology of lead acid batteries, a nine inch DC motor and the available controller, charger, etc, which worked  with the size of the car.

“There were little options a year or two ago to buy an EV and the choice is better today, I wanted something different that suited my tastes. I wanted to get the most range and speed as possible and still be able to drive it on the freeway.  I was not interested in a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle, NEV limited to 25 to 30 miles an hour.   My budget was limited and converting the Mazda made the most sense.

“Like some EVs on the market, it has a somewhat slow acceleration but gets 50 miles on a charge and it will go over 60 mph.  I just have to plan where I am going and anticipate enough to get back.  I drive about 25 miles a day.  The Mazda charges on 110 for 6 hours to  charge.  I found out I prefer surface streets to freeways due to my 65mph limitation. Surface streets allow me to look at traffic lights that are synchronized and calculate my accelerations.  If I accelerate rapidly, as many gas powered cars leaving red lights do I only end up  waiting with them at the next light.  I have learned that overpasses  are really hills that draw as much amps as accelerating quickly to get to the next red light.  I live in Santa Ana and found a nice route on Pacific Coast Highway along the ocean to get to Huntington Beach and  Seal Beach.  I found roads that are a pleasure to pleasure to drive an  EV.

“As far as the future, I am considering a lithium ion battery upgrade  if and when the price come down.  The appeal is that the less weight compared to the lead batteries I have should give me more speed and power.  But in the meantime I am enjoying my investment in this proven technology that has been around for well over 80 years.  And I love my red electric Miata “Electra Cutie”.”