2005 Toyota Echo

Converted EV Sedan

1.5L 4 Cylinder Gasoline Fuel

Unspecified

JTDBT123750352173

Front Wheel Drive

Electric

Adjustable Steering Wheel

Normal 0 This is a professional conversion done on a new Toyota Echo made for the last Tour De Sol in the Spring of 2006. This conversion was not done on a worn out gas car but on a new Toyota Echo by a team of professional technicians as part of a demonstration fleet. This particular EV demonstrated exotic ZEBRA batteries. These molten sodium batteries did not prove to be reliable, and they died with less than 13,000 miles on the car. Unlike many EV conversions that start with a car with many miles on it and a dead gas engine, this EV was converted when it was new, so the total miles on the car is also less than 13,000. It is over 5 years old, so it will have the usual weathering of a 2005 car. This EV will need to be converted to lithium batteries, although it could be converted to Deep Cycle Marine batteries, but they are heavier and have less capacity (range.) The buyer will need to purchase and install a charger appropriate with the chosen batteries, and may choose to install a Battery Management System (BMS) to get the longest life out of the battery pack.. Rather than the DC motors used in golf carts, this high performance EV uses the high efficiency Azure AC-24 3-phase motor mated to the Azure AT 1200 transmission. The three phase motor is controlled by a DMOC 445 Motor Controller with ability to recharge the batteries and slow down the car rather than waste the energy by heating up the brakes. There are two Azure BC750 DC-DC converters to provide plenty of 12 volt power to the accessories including the power steering pump. The cost of these Azure components is more than the starting bid price of this auction. At this price, it is like getting a Toyota Echo car with only 12,750 miles on it, for FREE. This very efficient conversion had a 70 mph top speed and 100 mile range. Do not confuse this high performance EV is not a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV) which have top speeds of 35 mph. This EV is loaded with expensive options including a $400 Swiss-made MES-DEA RM-4 electric heater to warm your feet and defrost the windshield (email for link.) Since an EV does not have the wasteful gas engine to heat up the cabin, there is also a powerful Espar D5W $1125 kerosene heater for really cold winters (email for link,) This efficient Canadian made heater can produce up to 17,100 BTU of heat that flows directly into the existing Toyota heating system. For easy parking there is a Toyota MR2 power steering pump with Curtis controller for variable assist power steering. Without a gas engine, that provides the vacuum assist from the intake manifold, many EV's lack power brakes. To restore the vacuum, this EV has a $300 Swiss-made MES-DEA electric vacuum pump (email for link.) Send me your email address if you wish more information. Without your email address, I cannot send you the links and email attachments. To better equalize the weight, there are welded brackets for batteries in both the front and rear. This Echo used Swiss made ZEBRA batteries, and the particular size is no longer made. These two batteries and associated charger will need to be replaced with new batteries, a new charger. The buyer will likely want to have aluminum battery boxes fabricated at a sheet metal shop to match the batteries the buyer chooses. Buyer is responsible for shipping arrangements and costs associated with shipping. Do not use the eBay shipping estimator as it thinks the car is in California when it is in Vermont, where it was converted. I have shipped two electric cars, and can recommend the name of a broker that can arrange shipping which is done on a auto transport truck, often an 18-wheel big with room for 10 cars. The buyer is also welcome to pick up the Echo in Vermont with an auto dolly from U-Haul or Ryder towed with a pick-up truck.New and different batteries will need to be integrated into the vehicle. The buyer has a choice of several battery technologies including deep cycle marine batteries, or the light weight CALB (The name is China Aviation Lithium Battery Company, formerly SkyEnergy)or Winston Battery (known for years as Thundersky) brand Lithium batteries. Email me for useful links on batteries. The Digital Motor Controller (DMOC) is set up for 310 volts that could be obtained with 90 to 96 LiFePO4 Lithium cells. Your choice of 40 AH or 60 AH are recommended depending on your driving habits, the range you desire, and if you need to use the air conditioning a lot. If the new owner does not desire the high performance of a 310 volt battery pack, the sophisticated electronics in this EV can be reconfigured for a battery pack with a nominal voltage of 156 volts, which is a common voltage used in older EV’s that have Valve Regulated Lead Acid (VRLA) batteries. To obtain 156 volts, the new owner can use 13 Marine Batteries eg. Deka Dominator VRLA deep cycle marine batteries (email for link) or about 48 LiFePO4 Lithium batteries (email for link.) It is possible to add a high efficiency electric air conditioner compressor (email for link) to this Echo as it came with Toyota A/C originally. The genuine Toyota A/C "radiator" and other original A/C components will be included with the Echo. There is also a battery box under the trunk floor to accommodate a small 12-volt battery. The interior and body are in great condition for a 2005 car. See the tenth photo to see the small ding above the left tail light. It could use a windshield because of a stone chip on the driver’s side. Interior is fine with crank windows and great heat due to the two heaters. Bidders are welcome to come visit Montpelier Vermont for a closer look. Please remember to include your email address when you respond with any questions. I will send you additional information including links. Ebay does not allow links or URLs to be listed in this auction description. The photos shown in this auction are of this 2005 EV, which is Black Sand Pearl. Some of these photos are of the car just after it was converted, and in showroom condition, when it was entered in the 2006 Tour del Sol. As there is no road dust on the car, these photos are the best and clearest. You can see all of the electrical components, heaters, Azure Controller, steering and brake parts, as well as the layout of the conversion. The car is 5 years older now. Other photos were taken after the batteries died, which was about 3 years ago, and some shots were taken earlier this year. The last three photos, of the interior, are stock photos from the internet of a gray Toyota Echo. These three photos are were added to give the buyer an idea of what a 2005 Toyota Echo looked like on the inside. The eBay records for the VIN of this all-electric car show that it originally came with a 1.5L 4-cylinder gasoline engine. Of course, as this Toyota is now an EV, it has an Azure 3-phase electric motor in place of the gasoline engine. Unlike some conversions that retain the original 5-speed transmission with many miles on it, this EV used the compact, lightweight gear box specifically made for the motor by Azure . Of course, as this is an EV, there is no gasoline engine in this Toyota. You may be able to claim some rebates or credits from your power utility, or your State or Federal government. Consult your tax adviser. This EV is listed for sale elsewhere, so the buyer reserves the right to end this auction early. Send me your email address if you wish more information. Without your email address, I cannot send you the information in the form of attachments, and links to the websites. remember, do not use the ebay shipping estimator as the estimator thinks the car is in California. As mentioned, the car is in Vermont. Send me your address with zip code for shipping estimates.