It all started with the father buying a newer electric car.
– We are both interested in cars and thought why not build our own electric car, remembers William Bäckander who was then 16 years old.
A rusty and rickety Citroën 2CV of model year 83 was picked up from a field in Skåne.
– It was the right end, but had no engine and it suited our plans well. And it was a good price.
But before the actual electrical conversion started, he had to spend a year on various welding jobs: the car got new thresholds, floors and window frames, among other things.
Build without a plan
There was no real plan for the actual electricity conversion.
– It came with time. We read a lot online and so I started a group on Facebook. We found some parts here and there, took what was best for the moment.
A US-made electric motor was bought new and the batteries are the same as those in Toyota forklifts.
After an estimated 800 hours of work over two years, the construction was ready just in time for him to turn 18 years old.
– I did not have such great expectations for the car, but it gets approved. I have driven every day without any problems.
The final bill for everything landed at just over SEK 100,000.
– Today, when I know the market better, I could build an electric car for SEK 50,000.
And he drives cheaply, comes 300 km for 17 kronor, partly because the car is light and has narrow tires with low rolling resistance.
The group was stormed
GP was the first to draw attention to Williams’ construction and the article led to a “storming of the Facebook group” which now has 1,700 members.
TT: What tips do you have for those who want to build an electric car, how much do you need to know?
– Uh, you learn along the way. I did not have much knowledge before.
The electric car was ready a year ago and since then he has spent his time renovating a petrol-powered 2CV of model year 55, which was recently inspected. And now car renovations will suffice. For a while anyway.
– I could build another electric car but right now I see no reasonable reason for it. I’m 19 years old with two cars, that’s enough. The 55 is to be sold but I do not intend to sell the electric car, it is too unique and unusual.
The motor is a Hyper 9. – There is nothing special about it, an electric motor is an electric motor regardless of what it is mounted in, says William Bäckander.