Untitled - ev-bg.com

PrefacexviiMy intention in rewriting this book was to not just tell people how to convert theircars to electric. I also wanted to tell people why they should convert their car. The intentwas to create a useful guide to get you started; to encourage you to contact additionalsources in your own “try-before-buy” quest; to point you in the direction of the peoplewho have already done it (i.e., electric vehicle associations, consultants, builders,suppliers, and integrators); to familiarize you with the electric vehicle components; andfinally, to go through the process of actually building/converting your own electricvehicle. My intention was never to make a final statement, only to whet your appetitefor electric vehicle possibilities. I hope you have as much fun reading about the issues,sources, parts, and building process as I have had.Another timely point to add concerns the price of oil and its relation to the entirebook. When Bob Brant first wrote this book, he determined that $100 for a barrel of oilwas the worst-case scenario. While this book was being produced, oil was trading at$142 a barrel, and I saw at my local gas station $4.50 for gas and $5.03 for diesel. Myfriends in the financial markets are telling me that $170 to $200 for a barrel of oil canhappen in the future. In addition, when I submitted the first manuscript, the price ofgas was $3.50 per gallon. As we go to print, we are at $113.00. Bob Brant thought that$100 was going to be the worst case scenario. Therefore, since the price of gas is amoving target, I left all mathematical equations assuming $4.50 per gallon. You mightnot be at this price today, but there is nothing saying it can’t get back to that level andabove in the future.—Seth Leitman