Honda CRX (1990)
for sale
Price: US $200.00
Price: US $200.00
Full EV Honda CRX Electric Vehicle Conversion
What is it?
This 1990 Honda CRX EV was built by an electrical engineer who wanted to reduce our dependency on foreign oil. He spared no expense and did a very nice job on it. The car itself is truly a zero-emission vehicle.
When did you buy it?
I bought it in 2013. The chassis has 206, 160 miles. I put about 2, 000 miles on it. I estimate that the batteries have been in service for a little more than 3 years. However, I have driven the car very little so the batteries, the motor, and the rest of the electric components are actually relatively new.
Why are you selling it?
I am selling it because shortly after I bought it, I met my girlfriend and I have been doing most of my driving out of town to see her ever since. I have finally come to terms with the fact that the CRX should go to someone who does more short-range driving than I do.
What is the range for this EV?
The range for this EV is in the ballpark of 30-60 miles. The engineer who built it said that it would go up to 70 miles on a full charge, under optimal conditions. I have never tested this because I didn't want to run the batteries that low. Also, the driving conditions and driving style make a huge difference. It would be great for someone who wants to run errands around town, or as a short-range commuter.
How much does electricity for it cost?
The cost of electricity to charge this car is very small compared to putting gas in a normal car. I wish I had figured out the numbers precisely because I am sure it would make a great case for EV's in general. Even though I didn't drive it a whole lot, I still never noticed any impact on my electric bill. Also, there are random places out there where you can charge an EV for free.
How much maintenance does it require?
Another big upside to electric vehicles is that all of the maintenance expense of a gasoline engine is eliminated. No more oil changes, no $1, 200 timing belts, etc. There are simply far fewer moving parts to wear out or fail. Brake pads and tires should be most of what an EV would need on a periodic basis. Right now, the CRX brake pads are practically new and the tires are decent, so it is set for the near future. A second full set of 4 studded snow tires and rims is included.
Where can I get it fixed if something goes wrong?
Any vehicle repair shop can do the repair work that would be done on a conventional car, such as brake pads, etc. If you need something done on the electric part of it, there are a surprising number of EV-specific shops around these days. I know of at least a few in Boulder and Denver.
How does it charge and how long does it take?
It can be charged with 110V from a normal outlet in the garage. It takes anywhere from 2-6 hours to charge, depending on how much it was driven that day. It could also be charged twice as fast or better with a 220V connection, but I never hooked that up.
Why would I want to buy this car?
This is a really sweet electric car for a darn good price. I paid $9, 000 for it, and the guy I bought it from spent $17, 932.52 building it. I know this because he gave me a DVD with 2, 000 files worth of information, and his expense spreadsheet is on there. The DVD goes with the EV of course. It has manuals, receipts, photos, and a whole lot more.
I felt very fortunate to benefit from all of the time and money the electrical engineer put into building it. Now, someone else gets to benefit from all of that. Plus, I am letting this fully-functional EV go for less than it would cost just to buy the parts on eBay. I just couldn't bear to part it out when I know the right person would be so happy to have it.
I loved driving this car. If you have ever driven an electric car, you know there is no comparison to that feeling of pure, smooth torque. You pay more up front, but you get a zippy car that is cheap to drive.
update: 2015-08-10
Used |
“2.5" scratch on passenger door. Typical wear otherwise. Gasoline engine missing.” |
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): | JHMED8351LS019602 | Make: | Honda |
Interior Color: | Black | Model: | CRX |
Number of Cylinders: | 0 | Year: | 1990 |
Transmission: | Manual | Trim: | Coupe 2-door |
Vehicle Title: | Clear | Engine: | Electric |
Options: | CD Player | Drive Type: | FWD |
Fuel Type: | Electric | Mileage: | 206,160 |
For Sale By: | Private Seller | Exterior Color: | Red |