Clean Energy View: How to Build Your Own Electric Vehicle

What can you do if your car a gas guzzler? As the price of petroleum continues to rise, many people are converting their cars and motorcycles to electric powered vehicles. Clean transportation enthusiast, Ben Nelson has developed a “Do It Yourself” series to teach people with minimal skills how to build their own electric car. Ben's educational videos make converting your old gas guzzler easy regardless of whether you are a mechanic or your only experience has been with matchbox cars! Ben covers everything you need to know from battery selection, the motor, controller, adapter plate and other minor parts! Ben is a natural born guru! While he had no formal training in electric vehicle design before beginning his first project, he quickly learned how to build “EV's” (electronic vehicles) through a combination of hands-on work, informal apprenticeships, and enough library books to literally wear out his library card. He has presented his electric vehicles at many venues, including the Mother Earth Fairs and being the best attended presentation at the Midwest Renewable Energy Fair. He has also been a collaborator on the Open Revolt project, which makes low-cost electric vehicle motor controllers available to everyone. In addition to his passion for clean transportation, Ben has also designed and built projects for renewable energy, water conservation, and alternative heating and cooking methods. He teaches these ideas and techniques to others through blogs, web videos, and instructional DVDs.

In this segment of The Clean Energy View Radio Show, host, June Stoyer talks to Ben Nelson about how to Build Your Own Electric Car and Motorcycle. Stay tuned!