Until recently lead acid and nickel metal hydride were the only battery chemistries used in the electric vehicle industry. For the last ten years Chevron Texaco has held the patents for the large format nickel metal hydride batteries. Possibly we will see the return of this superior battery technology now that it is out of the hands of an oil company.

E-V Concepts offers complete electric conversions of original manufactures vehicles, vintage hotrods and replica kits. Along with our association with Spherical Fiberglass Designs we offer our own patented fiberglass car bodies and design prototype electric vehicle concepts mounted on custom built chassis or OEM chassis.

Electric Vehicle Concepts combines the best of both worlds. The plug-in electric vehicle with a battery pack that can travel over 200 miles per charge, and the ability to switch to the hybrid mode and use the gas or diesel engine when desired. Using a internal combustion engine to charge the batteries, propel the vehicle, or both. E-V Concepts hybrids can have unlimited driving range, with the advantages of a pure electric vehicle. The use of a small engine and electric motor at constant highway speeds creates excellent fuel economy .

Porsche was one of the originals to combine the gas and electric motor for propulsion in the 1800's. E-V Concepts hybrid propulsion systems have worked well for over 25 years and hybrid designs are now being used by other auto manufactures in the last few years. It is our personal preference to use a larger battery pack and not have to use the internal combustion engine at all. The studies show that 90% of our daily automotive travels are under 20 miles a day.

The chief knock on electric vehicles has always been that they don't have enough range for the general public. With the advent of the lithium batteries used in our cell phones and laptops we can create a battery pack with over a 200 mile range.

The Lithium batteries are smaller with greater energy density and less weight. The no maintenance Lithium batteries combine superior run time and longer life cycles to replace the dominance of lead acid batteries. We can extend the range more than 75% over lead acid packs using Lithium battery packs . In the last few years the cost and performance has improved and continues to get better.

Our main concern at E-V Concepts is safety. The lithium powered cars weigh less than the same gas powered car. The lead acid battery car conversion weighs over 1000 pounds more. There are some trucks designed to carry an extra 1000 pounds safely but not your average commuter vehicle.

For the past five years E-V Concepts has been testing the different lithium batteries available. Besides our bench testing we have had two identical cars to compare the life cycles and performance of lead acid batteries against the lithium batteries.

The cost of our lithium battery pack was near double that of our lead acid battery pack with the same range in both cars. The handling, performance and driving safety was much better in the lighter lithium powered car. We have now driven over twice the miles with the lithium powered car after the batteries in the lead acid car were no longer usable. The final conclusion is that the lithium battery powered car cost less than our lead acid powered car to drive and maintain.

The Lithium batteries have less internal resistance and can be fast recharged to 100% capacity in 45 minutes with 110 AC in comparison to the lead acid batteries recharging to 80% in 60 minutes with high powered 220 volt chargers. The lithium battery chargers can cost less than half of the lead acid chargers and the cost for charging the lithium powered car is less.

California, New York, Massachusetts and other states have had Zero-Emission Vehicle Programs since the early 1990's. Because battery electric vehicles in those states, taking into account power plants, are far cleaner than gasoline cars in reducing urban air pollution and smog.

- The Air Resources Board studies show that battery electric vehicles emit at least 67% lower "greenhouse gases" than gasoline cars.

- Lifetime service cost is very low do to the simplicity of electric propulsion systems.

-Your electric vehicle battery pack has the ability to supply power to your home for weeks during any power black outs.

-You have the choice to take advantage of tax credits and use solar or wind power generation to charge your storage batteries to your transportation and housing needs.

Electric Vehicle Concepts owners are eligible for state and federal tax credits and are exempt from some excise and luxury taxes. Drive in carpool lanes with one occupant and enjoy free parking in some of the most heavily trafficked areas of their states.