Converting to an electric car is a cheaper way to switch from an internal combustion car to a zero-emission vehicle than buying one. What is more, such a modification is not overly complicated. What does the conversion look like? What formalities are required? What is the price of converting a car to electric? We answer all these questions.
Converting a combustion car to electric - what does it involve?
Converting to an electric car is not overly complicated. It involves removing the engine and fitting batteries to the car. It is also necessary to insert a new power unit (APU) and redesign the heating and air conditioning system. The conversion of cars to electric ends with the replacement of the fuel filler with a charging socket.
Such a modification could, in the not too distant future, prove to be a way of implementing the EU directive to move away from combustion cars to electric cars. By 2035, cars with batteries instead of tanks will be the only ones that can be sold in the European Union. For this reason, it can be expected that it will become increasingly difficult for drivers of combustion vehicles to get on the roads. 
What are the characteristics of converting a combustion car to electric?
Although converting cars to electric is not a problem per se, the workshop first needs to create a blueprint of the almost new car with the customer. This should take into account the customer's expectations in terms of vehicle range, drive, engine power and maximum speed. Based on this knowledge, the mechanic analyses the options available to suit the design of the car in question.
Converting an internal combustion engine car to electric at an auto repair service is, however, only half the journey. The final step to be able to drive such a vehicle is to complete the official formalities. It is necessary to obtain a certificate from an electrician's mechanic stating that the vehicle's installation meets EU standards.
Cars running on batteries should also obtain the opinion of an expert who specialises in vehicles. His or her task is to describe the changes that were made during the conversion of the car from internal combustion to electric.
With this set of documents, you can now go to the transport department of the municipal or district authority responsible for your place of residence. There you can have the vehicle registration certificate amended. This will officially certify that your car has been converted to electric.
What types of cars are most commonly converted?
Modifying a combustion engine vehicle to electric is an expense that depends on the value of the vehicle, the customer's expectations and the conversion options proposed by the workshop. For this reason, the cheapest cars are usually converted. The price of converting a combustion engine car to electric varies from about PLN 20 000 to PLN 100 000.
Another type of vehicle that is being converted to electric is public transport buses. For local authorities, this is an attractive way to create a green transport fleet for money that is incomparably less than buying new electric buses.
The automotive future of electromobility may be cheaper than it seems. Cars with internal combustion engines will no longer be an attractive cost competitor to zero-emission vehicles, making them more widespread. It remains to be hoped that converting a car to electric will be even cheaper in the future.
