Back when folks initially began putting together their own electrical cars they didn't have many cheap decisions in motors. Often the first EVs used surplus aircraft starter-generators as a motor. Aircraft starter/generators were most likely used as you could find them as surplus comparatively cheap and they had enough power to move a car. The EVs were not high performance, but could make it from point A to B. the times of plodding electrical cars were numbered. most folks acquainted with gas engines are taken back by what they perceive as the low h.p. rating in an EV. 'Electric automobiles are driven by large electric motors usually rated between 3.5 and 28 hp. Gas engines are rated at their top hp, electric motors are rated at their continuous hp. The top hp of an electric motor is generally eight to 10 times its continuous rating.' The motor installed in Eve is a sophisticated DC FB1-4001. This is a 9' diameter, 140lb series wound DC motor. I acquired is back in 1995 for our first EV and, as long as we do not abuse it, the motor should last for decades. The one part that wears out, commutator brushes, generally last eighty thousand miles and are pretty simple to replace. On the 1st EV I did not tighten one of the motor-transmission adaptor set screws and over a period of 5 years the adaptor worked its way back into the motor faceplate and wore away some of the metal. The hand drawing shows the way the motor mates to the transmission. You'll find more details on our Mazda 626 motor and adaptor page. Most EVs use series wound motors, but you may also pick up permanent magnet and AC motors, even experimental wheel heart motors. Get your electric car motor kit at www.gas2electricity.com!
