# Conventional to PHEV conversion suggestions? **URL:** \ **Category:** Conversion Kits\ **Created:** [March 29, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/conventional-to-phev-conversion-suggestions/2245 "2012-03-29T19:48:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![turbine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@turbine](https://community.electricforum.com/u/turbine)\ **Post date:** [March 29, 2012, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/conventional-to-phev-conversion-suggestions/2245/1 "2012-03-29T19:48:32Z")
Hi, [B]I’m seeking advice for a budget PHEV conversion project.[/B] As such, my minimum requirement list is quite low: [ul][li][B]Small, sporty design[/B]. An older RX-7 or MG, etc. would be fine, a tiny kit car would be great. Something [I]light[/I] and efficient. [/li][li][B]2 seats[/B] for myself and a passenger 300lbs combined [/li][li][B]Small amount of baggage space[/B], perhaps 50 lbs min OK. [/li][li][B]Performance not critical[/B], so 0-60 in 13s OK (solo), 75mph top speed OK, 6% grade at 45mph important at gross (hwy 26), OK to start the gen. [/li][li][B]Lead acid[/B] [/li][li][B]electric range 12 mi[/B] [/li][li][B]Combined range 180mi[/B] [/li][li][B]250w (peak) audio system[/B] with 8" only luxury must. AC not needed. [/li][li][B]Ceramic heater[/B] needed, OK to preheat on AC [/li][li][B]Generator need not be very powerful [/B], enough to maintain 55mph on the flats with positive charge. Diesel desirable so I can burn biodiesel when available. [/li][li][B]120v charging[/B] most the time on a single 15amp circuit [/li][li][B]Stick shift if not fixed gear[/B] [/li][/ul] I follow a lot of EV news, including Green Car Reports, Oregon EVA, Plug-in-America, Slashdot, and a lot of mass-reported news on the issues. [B]I’d greatly appreciate any suggestions.[/B] Best, turbine 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![fb\_bf](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex030/user_avatar/community.electricforum.com/fb_bf/32/528_2.png) [@fb\_bf](https://community.electricforum.com/u/fb_bf)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2012, 10:13am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/conventional-to-phev-conversion-suggestions/2245/2 "2012-04-09T10:13:39Z")
[QUOTE=turbine;11165]Hi, [B]I’m seeking advice for a budget PHEV conversion project.[/B] As such, my minimum requirement list is quite low: [ul][li][B]Small, sporty design[/B]. An older RX-7 or MG, etc. would be fine, a tiny kit car would be great. Something [I]light[/I] and efficient. [/li][li][B]2 seats[/B] for myself and a passenger 300lbs combined [/li][li][B]Small amount of baggage space[/B], perhaps 50 lbs min OK. [/li][li][B]Performance not critical[/B], so 0-60 in 13s OK (solo), 75mph top speed OK, 6% grade at 45mph important at gross (hwy 26), OK to start the gen. [/li][li][B]Lead acid[/B] [/li][li][B]electric range 12 mi[/B] [/li][li][B]Combined range 180mi[/B] [/li][li][B]250w (peak) audio system[/B] with 8" only luxury must. AC not needed. [/li][li][B]Ceramic heater[/B] needed, OK to preheat on AC [/li][li][B]Generator need not be very powerful [/B], enough to maintain 55mph on the flats with positive charge. Diesel desirable so I can burn biodiesel when available. [/li][li][B]120v charging[/B] most the time on a single 15amp circuit [/li][li][B]Stick shift if not fixed gear[/B] [/li][/ul] I follow a lot of EV news, including Green Car Reports, Oregon EVA, Plug-in-America, Slashdot, and a lot of mass-reported news on the issues. [B]I’d greatly appreciate any suggestions.[/B] Best, turbine 🆒[/QUOTE] I don’t know much about diesel generators, but it won’t be as small as you think. To travel at 55 mph, even for a small car like the RX7 or midget will take around 225 to 250 wh/m. This comes out to be over 12,000 watts. You’'l need to pick a vehicle that has room for both the electric motor and the diesel engine. The 12 mile range on electric means you won’t need to many batteries, aound 5KWH worth. A small pickup truck mght make a bettr choice for your hybrid concept. Frank ’ 77 electric MG Midget [[www.electricmgmidget.com](http://www.electricmgmidget.com)] ---
**Author:** ![myelectricfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@myelectricfly](https://community.electricforum.com/u/myelectricfly)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/conventional-to-phev-conversion-suggestions/2245/3 "2012-04-25T19:02:56Z")
Quick Suggestion - The Poulsen Hybrid System - [Poulsen Hybrid](http://www.poulsenhybrid.com/PoulsenHybrid.php) ---
**Author:** ![myelectricfly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@myelectricfly](https://community.electricforum.com/u/myelectricfly)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2012, 7:04pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/conventional-to-phev-conversion-suggestions/2245/4 "2012-04-25T19:04:27Z")
The Poulsen Hybrid was designed based on the observation that only 10-15 horsepower is required to propel a compact or mid-size automobile along a level road at a steady 50 to 60 mph leading to the conclusion that this relatively small amount of electric power would be able to cope with 70-85% of normal driving, only aided by the combustion engine during start up and when extra energy is required for acceleration and hill climbing. [Poulsen Hybrid](http://www.poulsenhybrid.com/Installation.php)