$13k DIY EV Drives 340 Miles On Two Thirds Of Its Battery

ITAP Inc. has designed a do-it-yourself electric car to challenge any current long-range production EVs.

1997 BMW 5 Series turned into an EV

Steven Loveday

By: Steven Loveday

May 1, 2017 at 12:00pm ET

Add Motor1.com as a preferred source in Google

Comment

In order to show the potential of ITAP’s hybrid recycling method, they pit a Tesla Model S P90D, Chevrolet Bolt, Nissan Leaf, and “The Phoenix” against each other on a highway range test. All cars are fully charged, and all will travel the same route, under the same conditions, with professional drivers.

“The Phoenix” is a salvaged BMW that ITAP dragged out of a junkyard. It is made up of 88 percent recycled materials (by weight). The cars weighs a total of 3,960 pounds (1,796 kilograms). The battery and the controller are completely recycled. It cost ITAP $12,900 in total to prepare the car for its voyage.

The cars travel a 362-mile (582-kilometer) round trip route in California from Chatsworth to San Luis Obispo.

The Nissan Leaf dies first at 81 miles;
The Tesla Model S P90D is next out of the race at 238.2 miles (the car shows 2 miles remaining);
The Chevy Bolt impresses with 271.5 before dying;
The Phoenix blows a fuse at 340.3 miles, with 32 percent power still remaining.

If the Phoenix was able to complete its journey, it would have been able to travel well over 400 miles (644 km).

ITAP Inc. (IT Asset Partners) specializes in Electronic Asset Management, Reverse Logistics, and Recycling. Basically, ITAP works to make the best use of company’s assets by “re-integrating new life cycles into old electronics.” This process leads to less waste, sustainability, and a cleaner environment.

Eric Lundgren adds some details on the car via the comment community:

"Our battery pack is 125 kWh currently and still under GVWR of 4,200/LBS for this 1997 BMW Frame.

The entire car was built in a total of (35) days. The car was built in a back-yard and my two (2) engineers were paid in Keystone Light. The video above was her maiden voyage; never before had she been driven..

I look forward to posting another video in the upcoming months of the “ITAP Recycled Electric Car” going farther than 425+ Miles! I hope this video can help educate the public on Hybrid Recycling, Re-Use and that this new World Record will show the world what is possible with EV’s and battery technology.

What do you think?

View

Comments

As Per Our Price:

It was less than $13K total and has two (2) onboard chargers to speed up the 3 Phase charge time. Since the batteries were re-purposed from all different types of electronics; it kept our overall price low. This allowed us to successfully build the longest range EV (at highway speeds) in the world at the lowest price point of all ev’s. All thanks to HYBRID RECYCLING!!"

Source: InsideEVs

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motor1.com?

Take our 3 minute survey.

- The Motor1.com Team

Share this Story

GO TO COMMENTS

(

)

Got a tip for us? Email: tips@motor1.com

View all comments ( )

Popular

12 Cars With Names That Make Absolutely No Sense

BMW Kept This Hatchback A Secret For Decades

Bugatti Restores One-Off Veyron With A Mirror-Like Aluminum Body

The Gas BMW M3 Isn't Dead: Next-Gen Prototype Roars