Geo Metro XFi Hybrid Project Page
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I am still in the early stages of this project. It is not quite as ambitious as the total rebuild of my XFi into a convertible body. But it should be pretty interesting and give the biggest mileage gains to date.
The plan so far is:
Step 1: Figure out the location to put the motor and how to attach it so it can drive the car.
Step 2: Get the motor and mount it.
Step 3: Add the speed controller and batteries.
Step 4: Drive away….
Sounds really simple doesn’t it. I am sure it will take months though. I ordered the Etek PMAC motor from Mars Electric LLC. For the controller so far I am planning on using the Kelly Controllers KBL72301 It has a 300A Max, 150A continuous current rating and can handle 72V. For batteries it seems like the standard one to use is the Trojan AGM-31.
So the controller, batteries, and motor don’t seem hard to figure out they are just expensive. The biggest fabrication problems are going to be getting power to a the ground somehow, fitting the batteries without taking up the last of my usable trunk space, and getting the controls set up so that they don’t make the car impossible to drive and are easy to use seem to be the biggest challenges.
Some Pictures of the current progress
[…] Our friend Ben over at EcoModder told us recently about an unusual conversion that was being discussed on the forums there: converting an old Geo Metro to hybrid drive. Yes, you read that right. What was originally an efficient little people mover (and, last year, a much-lusted-after ride) is transforming into a hybrid vehicle at the hands of EcoModder user Coyote X. The original goal: add electric drive to the vehicle for under $5,000 and with roughly 500 lbs. worth of stuff in order to go five minutes at 35 mph on EV power. The conversation that led to the creation of this vehicle can be found in this thread, which started last October. Recently, the car made a successful test drive, and you can see a video of that after the jump. This conversion project is in the running for EcoModder’s mod of the month. See the competition and cast your vote here. More details on the car here. […]
[…] Our friend Ben over at EcoModder told us recently about an unusual conversion that was being discussed on the forums there: converting an old Geo Metro to hybrid drive. Yes, you read that right. What was originally an efficient little people mover (and, last year, a much-lusted-after ride) is transforming into a hybrid vehicle at the hands of EcoModder user Coyote X. The original goal: add electric drive to the vehicle for under $5,000 and with roughly 500 lbs. worth of stuff in order to go five minutes at 35 mph on EV power. The conversation that led to the creation of this vehicle can be found in this thread, which started last October. Recently, the car made a successful test drive, and you can see a video of that after the jump. This conversion project is in the running for EcoModder’s mod of the month. See the competition and cast your vote here. More details on the car here. […]
[…] Our friend Ben over at EcoModder told us recently about an unusual conversion that was being discussed on the forums there: converting an old Geo Metro to hybrid drive. Yes, you read that right. What was originally an efficient little people mover (and, last year, a much-lusted-after ride) is transforming into a hybrid vehicle at the hands of EcoModder user Coyote X. The original goal: add electric drive to the vehicle for under $5,000 and with roughly 500 lbs. worth of stuff in order to go five minutes at 35 mph on EV power. The conversation that led to the creation of this vehicle can be found in this thread, which started last October. Recently, the car made a successful test drive, and you can see a video of that after the jump. This conversion project is in the running for EcoModder’s mod of the month. See the competition and cast your vote here. More details on the car here. […]