Crown Bus Electric Conversion

[Sleddgracer]

Says they've already delivered at least 100 units.

maybe I misread - I thought the units delivered had less range

 

[kazetsukai]

I think electrical supplement drives could be practical DIY, but still questionable in terms of cost and likely requires custom fabrication/etc that just isn't generally available. I can totally see someone charging batteries by braking action and assisting the diesel motor in acceleration from low speed.


Beyond that, battery tech just isn't there yet. We need at least 10x current density with 1/10th the weight and then 1/100th the cost on top of that to be practical.

 

[Iceni John]

Excuse me for asking the obvious question, but exactly why do you want to do this? Do you just not like diesel engines, or what? (If you cannot appreciate the engineering and visceral aesthetics of a 2-stroke Detroit, then maybe a Crown is not the best choice of bus for you!) Why would you want to massacre a big heavy over-built Crown instead of something smaller and lighter? I could ask many more questions, but I'll control myself.

John

 

[HazMatt-SKO]

My suspicion is that it's the proposition of an improbable, utterly hypothetical scenario intended to incite lively debate, intellectual discourse, and the forwarding of sundry quack theories.
Why not? Last I checked the time, it's still Sundry night...

 

[prorallydriver]

You need to do a little more research about Tesla Motors.

 

[prorallydriver]

The motors and batteries should be the easy part, but for me the electronics would be a major learning curve. What kind of range are you hoping for?

I have thought of just using one motor and putting it on the driveshaft for braking( and regen), and for a boost on grades, otherwise the bus engine would do it normal thing. Kind of a hybrid thing.

I am hoping 600+ miles range and I want to use 2 Tesla Model S motors.

 

[prorallydriver]

Excuse me for asking the obvious question, but exactly why do you want to do this? Do you just not like diesel engines, or what? (If you cannot appreciate the engineering and visceral aesthetics of a 2-stroke Detroit, then maybe a Crown is not the best choice of bus for you!) Why would you want to massacre a big heavy over-built Crown instead of something smaller and lighter? I could ask many more questions, but I'll control myself.

John

Ask as many as you want you don't need to control. I just want better acceleration, torque and using the best technology in the world. Why Not? I just want to combine a beautiful crown with the latest technology very easy to understand.

 

[prorallydriver]

Are you an engineer and fabricator? Also wealthy? If so this may be your swap.

Does it matter? I am asking a very specific question.

 

[prorallydriver]

You did not state wether you want to add Tesla motors and batteries or replace the engine with a totally electric drivetrain?

YES, I want to use only Tesla Technology and totally electric.

 

[prorallydriver]

I am assuming he must have real skills, or at least someone to help who does, I hope. yea money helps to. Have no idea what Tesla batteries go for let alone the motors. For me a dream idea.

My bus did much better pulling a trailer in the mountains then I expected, so pleased about that. But if lots of money falls out of the sky.... the hybrid idea is there....

I have the capital to do it and I am seeking advice from experienced people and also people who can add value to my project.

 

[JoeNesquik]

YES, I want to use only Tesla Technology and totally electric.

Why do you want ONLY Tesla? Why wouldn’t you consider other brands?

 

[JoeNesquik]

I have the capital to do it and I am seeking advice from experienced people and also people who can add value to my project.

So, bill gates, what made you want to convert a bus?

 

[prorallydriver]

https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/19/...-electric-bus-can-go-1102-miles-on-one-charge

1100 miles on one charge

Yes, but cost around $1 Million

 

[prorallydriver]

Yes they do, but they can not maintain that power level without overheating, if you read tests of tesla's at tracks, they tend to overheat and shutdown. It takes about 12 HP to keep a car moving at 60 MPH, for a bus it is more like 60 HP for that speed, meaning the motor needs 6 times the cooling, which the tesla motors don't have the capability to do. There are companies making electric trucks and buses, those are the motors you need

Not anymore. That changed a long time ago.

 

[prorallydriver]

50 years from now when internal combustion engines are a thing of the past, there will be tons of surplus bus batteries and motors to pick from in salvage yards across the country.
But today is not 50 years in the future so all of the engineering, research, trial fitments are only just beginning for commercial sized vehicles.

Right now, unless you are Soros rich, converting an existing bus to full on electric is pie in the sky, but we'll all be watching you to see how far you chase your dream.
GOOD LUCK!!!, seriously...

I have an advice. Seriously you need to do a little bit more research. Check prices of Tesla Batteries and Tesla Motors ok?

 

[prorallydriver]

I think it said it wasn't in production yet - I thought it was interesting that that sort of range was even possible - it's what we are going to see on the roads in the not too distant future - a related item came up in my search that claimed electric cars will soon be cheaper to buy than gas fired cars in the near future - I don't doubt it

You get it, my friend!

 

[prorallydriver]

Why do you want ONLY Tesla? Why wouldn’t you consider other brands?

Why not? Tesla is the best electric car company in the world period! Its 5 years ahead of everybody.

 

[HazMatt-SKO]

Well, no, actually. You are the one needing to do more research!
You started this thread soliciting inputs. You got some.
But you can't seriously expect anyone else to do your homework for you; expending considerable effort performing in-depth research and analysis, to support your underlying thought, the proposition that might make this arcane hobby horse of your rock at a cost/benefit that isn't four or five orders of magnitude into crazy-expensive.
You say you have the wherewithal to make it happen, kudos! Then what's stopping you from buying a couple of MIT post-docs to crunch the numbers for you? Instead of berating us here in Physics for Dummies-land for our lack of desire to not further waste time on a project that is of no conceivable benefit to any regular member of this forum.
After you're done throwing all those piles of money at the problem, why don't you then come back, and altruistically crow about how it may be done?

You need to do a little more research about Tesla Motors.

 

[prorallydriver]

Well, no, actually. You are the one needing to do more research!
You started this thread soliciting inputs. You got some.
But you can't seriously expect anyone else to do your homework for you; expending considerable effort performing in-depth research and analysis, to support your underlying thought, the proposition that might make this arcane hobby horse of your rock at a cost/benefit that isn't four or five orders of magnitude into crazy-expensive.
You say you have the wherewithal to make it happen, kudos! Then what's stopping you from buying a couple of MIT post-docs to crunch the numbers for you? Instead of berating us here in Physics for Dummies-land for our lack of desire to not further waste time on a project that is of no conceivable benefit to any regular member of this forum.
After you're done throwing all those piles of money at the problem, why don't you then come back, and altruistically crow about how it may be done?

My goodness, go have some fun or something buddy and stop hating. Read my question at least 3 times and come back and answer it if you have the answer. Very funny and hateful comment .... Just read my question and have a good night. Drink a beer.

 

[o1marc]

There's obviously not a lot of electric vehicle fans here. I would suggest seeking EV forums for many of your answers. While it won't be cheap, I think it's doable. I've built some crazy things in my life because someone said it couldn't be done, or why. I say why not.