I bought the best Tesla Model 3 rival you'll get for £400...
Discussion
OK, the similarities with end at "electric powered" and "has four wheels" but I bring to you the £400 electric car.
It's a 2008 Aixam Mega City+ Electric!
Much more at home with a 400cc Kubota diesel engine fitted, this little Aixam has 12 lead acid batteries powering an electric motor. I'm lead to believe the top speed is around 30mph and the range around 30 miles, although it's a little too buggered at the moment to find that out for sure.....
The front bumper not being fitted tells a tale - it's an abandoned project that tested the resolve of the previous owner until his breaking point.
I believe the main problem lies with the battery charger - previous owner tried to hook up an alternative aftermarket unit for charging but this didn't succeed, leading him to consider that there may be an issue with one or more of the batteries. I intend to do some diagnosis of the condition of the batteries and try to restore the factory charging circuit to full health rather than going further down the aftermarket route (although I am also having naughty thoughts about some modern lithium batteries from something like a Leaf..... but that's an expensive route)
Instruments are inoperative at the moment however it had 8,000 miles on the clock at it's last MOT.
Video overview here:
Can't wait to get stuck into it - first foray into EV and boy, what a terrible one to start with
It's a 2008 Aixam Mega City+ Electric!
Much more at home with a 400cc Kubota diesel engine fitted, this little Aixam has 12 lead acid batteries powering an electric motor. I'm lead to believe the top speed is around 30mph and the range around 30 miles, although it's a little too buggered at the moment to find that out for sure.....
The front bumper not being fitted tells a tale - it's an abandoned project that tested the resolve of the previous owner until his breaking point.
I believe the main problem lies with the battery charger - previous owner tried to hook up an alternative aftermarket unit for charging but this didn't succeed, leading him to consider that there may be an issue with one or more of the batteries. I intend to do some diagnosis of the condition of the batteries and try to restore the factory charging circuit to full health rather than going further down the aftermarket route (although I am also having naughty thoughts about some modern lithium batteries from something like a Leaf..... but that's an expensive route)
Instruments are inoperative at the moment however it had 8,000 miles on the clock at it's last MOT.
Video overview here:
Can't wait to get stuck into it - first foray into EV and boy, what a terrible one to start with
Edited by Toaster Pilot on Tuesday 11th May 23:00
The Dictator said:
Appropriate user name :-)
What are your plans if/when you get it up and running? 30mph is going to be a bit dangerous, unless it is only to be used in a city perhaps?
I’ll try to commute in it but I’ll need to go the long way round to avoid dual carriageways What are your plans if/when you get it up and running? 30mph is going to be a bit dangerous, unless it is only to be used in a city perhaps?
I would love to modernise the drivetrain but you’ll spend many times the initial £400 doing that!
Truckosaurus said:
If you've got the storage space I can see the amusement to having a cheap tax-free electric run around.
Paint it in Unigate colours for extra hilarity.
All of that, looking forward to seeing what teh OP does with it.Paint it in Unigate colours for extra hilarity.
Colour scheme? Easy, stick a big aerial on the back and a large white vinyl 'Tamiya' sticker on each side...
Toaster Pilot said:
OK, the similarities with end at "electric powered" and "has four wheels" but I bring to you the £400 electric car.
It's a 2008 Aixam Mega City+ Electric!
Much more at home with a 400cc Kubota diesel engine fitted, this little Aixam has 12 lead acid batteries powering an electric motor. I'm lead to believe the top speed is around 30mph and the range around 30 miles, although it's a little too buggered at the moment to find that out for sure.....
The front bumper not being fitted tells a tale - it's an abandoned project that tested the resolve of the previous owner until his breaking point.
I believe the main problem lies with the battery charger - previous owner tried to hook up an alternative aftermarket unit for charging but this didn't succeed, leading him to consider that there may be an issue with one or more of the batteries. I intend to do some diagnosis of the condition of the batteries and try to restore the factory charging circuit to full health rather than going further down the aftermarket route (although I am also having naughty thoughts about some modern lithium batteries from something like a Leaf..... but that's an expensive route)
Instruments are inoperative at the moment however it had 8,000 miles on the clock at it's last MOT.
Video overview here:
https://youtu.be/EObjB-MP_to
Can't wait to get stuck into it - first foray into EV and boy, what a terrible one to start with
PLEASE add a MASSIVE spoiler.It's a 2008 Aixam Mega City+ Electric!
Much more at home with a 400cc Kubota diesel engine fitted, this little Aixam has 12 lead acid batteries powering an electric motor. I'm lead to believe the top speed is around 30mph and the range around 30 miles, although it's a little too buggered at the moment to find that out for sure.....
The front bumper not being fitted tells a tale - it's an abandoned project that tested the resolve of the previous owner until his breaking point.
I believe the main problem lies with the battery charger - previous owner tried to hook up an alternative aftermarket unit for charging but this didn't succeed, leading him to consider that there may be an issue with one or more of the batteries. I intend to do some diagnosis of the condition of the batteries and try to restore the factory charging circuit to full health rather than going further down the aftermarket route (although I am also having naughty thoughts about some modern lithium batteries from something like a Leaf..... but that's an expensive route)
Instruments are inoperative at the moment however it had 8,000 miles on the clock at it's last MOT.
Video overview here:
https://youtu.be/EObjB-MP_to
Can't wait to get stuck into it - first foray into EV and boy, what a terrible one to start with
https://zero-ev.co.uk/product-category/battery-mod...
Not so expensive as you think for some good battery modules
Not so expensive as you think for some good battery modules
Funny to think the battery packs are full of 18650 cells.
I guess it’s like anything though, get what you pay for? I can buy an 18650 cell for my torch for next to nothing but if I want one that’ll last and perform it’ll cost 10x as much.
Seeing as they’re 18650 batteries I can see the Chinese stuffing them with Ultrafire 18650’s (probably 10440’s in an 18650 shell) and making a cheaper battery pack that people will love... until they realise the 200 mile range is now 50 miles.
I guess it’s like anything though, get what you pay for? I can buy an 18650 cell for my torch for next to nothing but if I want one that’ll last and perform it’ll cost 10x as much.
Seeing as they’re 18650 batteries I can see the Chinese stuffing them with Ultrafire 18650’s (probably 10440’s in an 18650 shell) and making a cheaper battery pack that people will love... until they realise the 200 mile range is now 50 miles.
I'm also in.
RC1807 said:
PSB1 said:
PLEASE add a MASSIVE spoiler.
It would either flip over with the weight, or not move forwards due to drag!Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff