Electric Vehicle Conversion Help

THE MOST INFORMATIVE WEB SITE FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLE CONVERSION

Warning - Proceed with Caution - Better Yet, Don't Proceed!

The following is my opinion based upon my experience and years of observation.

I feel compelled to offer all who read this a warning and strong caution about the multitude of electric vehicle manufacturers that are cropping up and appearing on the Internet.

Their Web sites look great, filled with dazzling photos of their product(s)-to-come along with great specifications. In most cases, their vehicles look very exciting and you can readily imagine yourself behind the wheel of one of these wonder machines.

So here is the warning and caution. Virtually all of these would-be manufacturers have no product and only promise when limited production will begin. They want you to make a financial commitment now to 'reserve' your vehicle as production begins. Getting your name on the list sounds good. What they really are asking is that you invest in their company with no promises. The vast majority of these car companies never produce and eventually go under, taking your money with them.

I remember all to well about an EV car company in Palm Bay, Fl back in the early 90s. This company slogged along for years and finally produced 13 vehicles. Suddenly, they filed for bankruptcy to cast off their investors and creditors. They moved to California, changed their name and started the scam all over again. With all of the research and development paid for by previous investors, they thought they could start fresh and sell big in the California market. They finally disappeared, unless they now live under yet another new name.

So what I am saying is, don't float a non-producing company with your money unless you are a high-risk venture capitalist. Now more than ever, it will be very difficult for these would-be car companies to survive as the big guys start selling large numbers of EVs - the likes of Toyota and maybe Chevy along with others. Note also that, as of this writing (6-17-08), there is a shortage of lithium batteries that make these vehicles practical, which makes it even harder for the small companies. Also, small companies won't be able to compete on price or quality.

If a company cannot acquire sufficient capitol to bring their vehicles to market, they will try to get funding wherever they can for as long as they can. If they must stoop to asking for deposits up front, stay away. They don't have the strength to make it.

Do these online would-be EV manufacturers mean well? Maybe, but that's not the point. Not every man's or women's dreams come true. Don't get sucked into their nightmare.

- Mark