Vehicle

• Deciding what type of vehicle to use in a gas-to-electric car conversion depends on what you want to use the car for. For a family commuter car, consider a vehicle such as a small Honda, Saturn or Volkswagen. Use a pickup truck if you want a utility vehicle. Choose a vehicle with a manual transmission because they are more efficient, and avoid cars with air conditioning because they tend to overload the batteries. Select light cars over heavier ones, and use older vehicles but reliable brands and models.
  
  

Budget

• The simplest way to establish a budget is to obtain an electrical vehicle (EV) conversion kit. You can buy a kit from various companies, such as KTA Services of California. The kit, which will cost about $8,000, will have all of the wiring, circuits, tubing and other main components you need for a gas-to-electric car conversion.
  
  

Batteries

• Typically, the EV kit will include batteries. If you decide to choose your own, the most common batteries used in such a project are deep-cycle lead-acid ones, according to the Electric Vehicle Association of Greater Washington, D.C. (EV/DC). These batteries come two groups. Wet cells, or flooded batteries, are less expensive and more difficult to damage, but they tend to be heavier. Sealed, or VRLA batteries, are lighter, but they are more expensive and don't last as long. The most common sealed batteries are Optima Yellow Tops, EV/DC says.
  
  

Tools and Supplies

• Since you are nearly rebuilding a vehicle during a gas-to-electric car conversion, consider renting engine hoists, jack stands and saw horses. The EV kit will have various tools with it, but consider getting a full tool set. This should include screwdrivers, wrenches, circular saws, hammers, levels and measuring tape.
  
  

Workspace

• Consider creating a large, covered workspace in which to do the conversion. Make sure to have a space that you can use from two months to a year. An empty garage is ideal.