Engine compartmentRear battery boxOlder picture to show better color detai
OwnerRalph Merwin
LocationPortland, Oregon United States map
Vehicle1993 Geo Prizm
MotorAdvanced DC FB1-4001 Series Wound DC
9"
DrivetrainOriginal 5 speed transmission
ControllerCafe Electric Zilla Z1K-LV
Batteries26, 12.00 Volt, Lead-Acid, AGM
Pack is configured as 13 buddy pairs.
System Voltage156 Volts
ChargerManzanita Micro PFC20
HeaterCeramic core in stock ducting - more like a warmer than a
heater.
DC/DC Converter Unknown
DC/DC converter from a TEVAN, puts out 13.8v at 120 amps.
Instrumentationa) E-meter
b) Tach (NYI)
c) 'Fuel' (NYI)
d) TBD Temp (NYI)
Top Speed80 MPH (128 KPH)
Can accelerate uphill at speed on the freeway. I haven't had
the nerve to take it up past 80mph on the freeway, but it
certainly felt like it was willing...
AccelerationBrisk
Range35 Miles (56 Kilometers)
Total range as measured on a test run. Normally I try to stay
at or below a 50% DOD, which gives me a range target of
about 17 miles. Fortunately my commute to work is 16.9
miles, and I can recharge at work.
Watt Hours/Mile280 Wh/Mile
Measured watt ours/mile during a normal commute to work
and back, which includes a 5 mile mix of stop-n-go traffic on
side streets and about 12 miles freeway driving at about 60-
70mph.
EV Miles
Start:4,075 Miles (6,556 Kilometers)
Current:21,900 Miles (35,237 Kilometers)
Total:17,825 Miles (28,680 Kilometers)
Seating Capacity4 adults
Curb Weight3,580 Pounds (1,627 Kilograms)
56% front, 44% rear, as measured on a public scale.
Tires175/65R14 Bridgestone RE92 (same as Toyota Prius)
Conversion TimeOngoing project, three complete rebuilds since I bought the
car in 1998.
Conversion CostMany $$$$
Additional FeaturesMES-DEA 70/6E vacuum pump (for brakes)
Bosch PA 66 water pump (for Zilla coolant)
Avcon charge port
Blaupunkt CD player
This car has been sold. The new owner shipped the Prizm to Virginia in 2008.
Current where-abouts unknown.

The car was originally converted from a new Geo Prizm in 1993 by Drive Electric in
Sacramento, CA. I bought it April 1998 with 4075 miles on the odometer, needing new
batteries and some TLC. It's been rebuilt three times since then, each time replacing the
batteries, battery boxes, controller, charger and lots of the "little" wiring. Essentially as
much work as converting an ICE, but minus the grease and grime.

Curiously enough, it still needs new batteries and some TLC. It's been a fun project for
the last 10 years though.

code by jerry