[SomeOldThrow]

> It seems it's a much safer/cheaper/simpler/reliable option to purchase a vehicle designed from the ground up for an electric drivetrain and all of the nuances that go along with that.

Cheaper? Have you seen what electric cars retail for? How are you comparing this to the price of conversion?

[abawany]

I suspect they mean buying a used EV such as the last generation Nissan Leaf, which can be had for reasonable prices; I've seen pre 2013 ones for less than 6k.

[SomeOldThrow]

I was under the impression the battery packs are where a LOT of the depreciation comes from, so that's not really a valid comparison unless it's used with a fresh battery pack.

Public transit has a great economic argument today for both reducing city emissions, monthly and repair costs, and having a great profile for harvesting brake energy. In many cases you can electrify via wire and save on battery costs. Consumer cars though? Still 100% a luxury. I imagine a lot of other parameters would factor into why you would electrify vs buying off the (still tiny) market other than price.

I bet you see these first used in bulk by people re-electrifying hobby cars + upgrading fleets of vans and taxis.

[14]

I think you are right. Looking at a new EV is probably going to set a Canadian back about 30,000$. That is a lot of money. But I do have a 2005 AWD Hyundai Tucson in my back yard with a blown engine but otherwise in really good shape. It would be a lot of fun to dump the engine and replace it with this. Something I could do in my spare time as it is just sitting in my back yard anyways. I don't think this will be huge that everyone will be doing it but I do think there will be a large enough market of backyard mechanics and the likes who find ways to use these.