TIPtoeing Toward Sustainability - A Reader Question On Doing an Electric Car Conversion

Q. My father and I are thinking about embarking on converting an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car to fully electric to cover his daily commutes to and from work. I have two questions:
1. Will the Canadian government provide any rebate for building this type of vehicle as it will be significantly more fuel efficient than the current green rebate cars?
2. Where do you have an Electric Car inspected in Canada? We will be building the car in Nova Scotia.
~Joe from Ontario

A. The short answer to part 1. is ‘unfortunately, no’. At this time Transport Canada’s “ecoAUTO Rebate Program encourages Canadians to buy new fuel-efficient vehicles” by offering a $1,000-2,000 rebate on qualifying vehicles. In fact, it was introduced as a 2-yr program and will be discontinued sometime in 2009. No replacement program has yet been announced.

British Columbians can get their PST reimbursed when they buy, install, maintain, or repair a gas to electric conversion kit. Even luckier Ontarians can get their RST (retail sales tax) reimbursed on the actual purchase of a new or used vehicle as well as on conversion to electric fuel costs to a maximum or $2,000.

A call to the Nova Scotia tax department confirmed that if you buy any new or used car out of province and bring it back to Nova Scotia, you are still required to pay Nova Scotia’s provincial tax.

But, when the going gets tough, the tough get creative. Try the following ideas:

• Finance the conversion by recruiting sponsorships from green business looking to raise their profile in Nova Scotia. Follow the example of a couple who financed their wedding this way.
• Start a revolving loan fund with a group of other Nova Scotians looking to convert. Vancouver’s VanCity Credit Union has a Peer Lending Workbook and Toolkit to get you started.
• Or go ‘old school’ and hold a social or a fundraiser. In Manitoba, “a ’social’ is a fund raising party for a wedding, non-profit organisation, charity, or some other worthy cause. Typically, they will include music, dancing, food, raffles and other fund raising games.”(Wikipedia)

To answer the second part of your question, you may need to outsource a qualified inspector for your conversion. Try your neighbours at Voitures Electriques de Québec. If you make the case that safety standards are no less stringent in Québec, and your conversion passes their inspection, there is no reason your car should be outlawed in Nova Scotia.

I’ve been unable to get an answer from Nova Scotia’s Motor Vehicle Compliance Department (902-424-4010) on what is required to establish that a converted electric car is road-legal. You’ll want to clarify this when you proceed with your conversion.

Now, as to the issue of getting your converted car insured. People who deal with an agent in person have far better luck than those inquiring over the phone. And remember when requesting insurance for a converted or ‘modified’ vehicle to specify that the modification in question is not a speed increase. (See full discussion forum thread).

It may be daunting to venture into this project in a province with few or no known electric car conversion successes. But, with your mechanical and technical aptitude, you have a crucial advantage that most others do not.

Go ahead with your conversion. Lean on those who have done it in other provinces and countries. Get your political representatives and the media involved if you have to. Prove to all of Nova Scotia that this can be done effectively and safely. >>

Thanks for sharing your question, Joe. As the author of November’s featured reader submission, Joe has won a hand-crank powered LED flashlight. Submit your tip here for a chance to be featured in the next edition of the Connection, the Raisingspaces.com e-newsletter.

Resources

Build Your Own Electric Car Instructable

Electric Vehicle Discussion List (EVDL) – Incredibly useful forum, library, and archive.

http://ecomodder.com/ – A site dedicated to saving fuel via car modifications.

http://forkenswift.com/
“Electric Car Conversion on a Beer Budget”

http://www.evalbum.com/
Browse electric vehicles all over the world including Canada. The album includes electric bicycles, sedans, hatchbacks, power wheels for kids, zambonis, tractors, porches, motorcycles, boats, and pickup trucks. Connect with those who have built and converted vehicles for resources and assistance.

http://www.canev.com/KitsComp/S10Kit/S10-Kit.html
Canadian electric vehicles kit supplier and link to Home Power article of a pickup conversion.

http://www.electric-cars-are-for-girls.com/build-your-own.html – A marvelous step by step roadmap on converting a car to electric.

Voitures Electriques de Québec electric car conversion video

DIY Electric Car Forum