# The Magic Number - 2 Years

**URL:** <https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-magic-number-2-years/327>\
**Category:** EV Small Talk\
**Created:** [June 25, 2007, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-magic-number-2-years/327 "2007-06-25T18:01:17Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Jack\_the\_R](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/85e7bf/32.png) [@Jack\_the\_R](https://community.electricforum.com/u/Jack_the_R)\
**Post date:** [June 25, 2007, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-magic-number-2-years/327/1 "2007-06-25T18:01:17Z")

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I got new info from PML Flightlink today.

Currently you can get their motors, but at custom build prices, which are mighty high.

> We can supply wheel motors and drives to be fitted by the customer to almost any type of vehicle. At present they are all being built by hand to customer order; nothing is available ‘off the shelf’. We quote for each application individually. (As a rough guide, the HPD30 motors are priced at GBP £7420 each and the master controller for 2-wheel drive is GBP £4000. This is the cheapest Hi Pa drive option available.

Double those numbers to convert to dollars.

They are planning to be in mass production within 18-24 months though -

> Over the next 18 – 24 months we will be moving into high volume production for the automotive market. Prices will drop to around 7 – 10% of the current prototype prices).

So figure in 2009 the small motors will cost $1480 ea and the master controller $800.

You can get cheaper motors now but you have to have custom fabbed motor mounts and a custom fabbed tranny adaptor. When you figure in the cost of custom parts and labor, it’s not such a bargain.

Also in 2 - 2 1/2 yrs, GM plans to release the first Volts. Right now that looks to me to be the #1 source for advanced nanotech batteries in an automotive friendly format (i.e, in a protective casing designed to resist crash forces).

The way I see it, if you want to build a GOOD EV conversion, wait 2 years for the next gen tech.

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**Author:** ![FEUS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ebca7d/32.png) [@FEUS](https://community.electricforum.com/u/FEUS)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 6:00am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-magic-number-2-years/327/2 "2007-06-26T06:00:24Z")

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at the current i couldn’t agree more… it sucks because the tech is out there but just the cost of it for doing it on an individual basis is rediculious… this is why i dont have stuff made already…

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**Author:** ![inSANe\_DIEGO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cdc98d/32.png) [@inSANe\_DIEGO](https://community.electricforum.com/u/inSANe_DIEGO)\
**Post date:** [June 26, 2007, 9:17am UTC](https://community.electricforum.com/t/the-magic-number-2-years/327/3 "2007-06-26T09:17:24Z")

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I’d hate to sound like a pessimist, but they’ve been saying “in a couple years” or “in a few years” for a lot of things. I guess we’ll see. I should be finishing up the body, paint and interior about then. I still won’t hold my breath though.  
In a couple years the Volt may be released, but I doubt the pack will be something affordable, IF even available.