From Internal Combustion To Ion Swap

So, here's how I'd like this thread to progress. I'm quite new to this site, and am so impressed with the sharing of information and parts that I thought I'd get this out there sooner than later to get people thinking about it.
In the not to distant future I want to have amassed all components necessary to convert my S12 to full electric drivetrain. It's pricey, but relitavely easy and would mean " no more gas stations". Also very little maintenence as your engine essentially has ONE moving part. Top speed and range are obvious issues, but I hope to address this with one beefy motor and nickel hydride batteries (unless I find a bargan L-ion source). Targets for at least 250 km range with cruising speed of at least 120-130km/h.
Any thoughts?

High-wattage-long-duration-electrical-draw cost vs Petroleoum cost ratio?

I researched this a few months ago, and you'll be lucky if you can get 100km travelling distance and a top speed of 110km/h.

You'll have to strip every unneccessary part to remove weight & make room for batteries.  The good thing about this is you can pull the entire cooling system!

You'll need to custom fab some boxes for the batteries and work out a wiring diagram.  You're also going to need about 700lbs worth of deep cycle batteries, not to mention the charging kit, AC/DC converter, electric heater to replace your heater core, dials/switches to replace your gas pedal, custom mounts, custom bell housing adapter plate, no clutch & a tonne of other shite.

It CAN be done, but to get the specs YOU want, you'd need Li-Ion batteries, a race-ready frame & body (as light as possible), no glass & about $20,000 minimum.

IMO, just wait for the production cars.

There's a guy in Washington state who has converted a 97 Chevy S10 to run on electricity, but he really doesn't get much for mileage and he's into the project for $17,000 not including the cost of the truck.

Sounds like you've done a little more legwork than I. I guess the stats are a little ambitious, but I've been told that you can generally get NiMH packs cheaper than L-ion and expect better Kw/hr than with flooded lead acid. Also some ready made kits online bring prices down to a reasonable amount excluding batteries. Some AC kits that will mount to a traditional transmission run in the $5-7000 range.
Also a connection to get your hands on the power cells that DOT decommissions from those solar road signs etc. goes a long way to easing the financial burden.
My S12's got the wheezy CA20e with near 220000 km, but the body and floor are totally solid. Feel it's worth an interesting project.

WilkieI researched this a few months ago, and you'll be lucky if you can get 100km travelling distance and a top speed of 110km/h.

You'll have to strip every unneccessary part to remove weight & make room for batteries.  The good thing about this is you can pull the entire cooling system!

You'll need to custom fab some boxes for the batteries and work out a wiring diagram.  You're also going to need about 700lbs worth of deep cycle batteries, not to mention the charging kit, AC/DC converter, electric heater to replace your heater core, dials/switches to replace your gas pedal, custom mounts, custom bell housing adapter plate, no clutch & a tonne of other shite.

It CAN be done, but to get the specs YOU want, you'd need Li-Ion batteries, a race-ready frame & body (as light as possible), no glass & about $20,000 minimum.

IMO, just wait for the production cars.

There's a guy in Washington state who has converted a 97 Chevy S10 to run on electricity, but he really doesn't get much for mileage and he's into the project for $17,000 not including the cost of the truck.

DeathAndMajestyHigh-wattage-long-duration-electrical-draw cost vs Petroleoum cost ratio?

Someone already made an electric motor S12:

http://www.evsource.com/conversion/intro.php

Plenty of photos.