DIY vs. Professional EV Conversion Guide

EV vehicles are the zenith of automotive transportation. The question is, how’ll you get there? Will you buy a factory EV, or will you convert your ICE vehicle into an electric one? If you decide to convert your car, will you take the hands-on, gritty DIY path, or do you enlist the experts for a hands-off, polished approach? In this article, we’ll dive into the latter crossroads and break down the pros and cons of each path.

Understanding EV Conversion: How to Convert a Vehicle to Electric

Spiritually, an EV conversion is a surgical, alchemical process. You’re ripping out the heart, lungs and veins of your ICE and replacing them with an electric breath of life. This is a grueling task—not one for the faint of heart looking to save a buck. It requires a skill set of mechanical prowess and electrical acumen. You’re looking at lots of late nights with your best friend's voltmeter and wire crimpers.

Do-It-Yourself Electric Car Conversion: Pros and Cons

Pros:

Taking the DIY EV conversion path feels like stepping into a world of possibilities, one where you’re responsible for solving all the mysteries under the hood. The biggest allure of the DIY route is the potential for cost savings. This allows you to cut out the middle man, completely removing labor costs, and giving you complete control over the project from top to bottom. This means you’ll have to source and procure parts, and call the shots from motor to minutiae.

Beyond the savings, there’s the thrill of doing it yourself. Undertaking a DIY conversion is a fantastic way to develop or hone your skills in automotive mechanics and engineering. You’ll become fluent in the language of gears, motors, and wires, and when you push to start for the first time, the satisfaction will be unmatched.

Cons:

This path is a grind. Doing it yourself means doing it yourself. Every single thing. It demands tons of time, a commodity that’s always in short supply. You’ll need to devote months, maybe even years, to see it through. And if you’re not already fluent in the dialect of automotive mechanics and high-voltage electrical systems (which we highly recommend you are before you start this project), prepare yourself for a steep learning curve that could humble the most confident among us.

Then there’s the risk factor. Mistakes are probable, not just possible. And they can be costly, both to your wallet and your safety. As a DIYer, you’re flying blind, with limited access to expert advice, making troubleshooting a labyrinthine endeavor.

Curious about the cost and benefits of converting your vehicle to electric? Try our EV conversion cost calculator to get personalized estimates instantly!

Do-It-For-Me Route: Pros and Cons

Pros:

On the flip side, we have the obvious. Hiring a professional conversion mechanic is like commissioning a master artist to paint your portrait; these guys bring a level of skill and pixie dust that’s hard to match. They understand the subtleties of EV systems and traditional chassis’ and will ensure that your conversion is exceptional. With professionals, you get guaranteed work, warranties, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing the job is done right. If you’re working with a timeless classic, it can be hard to trust yourself with such high stakes.

Time is another advantage. Professionals operate with the efficiency of being on the clock. While it will still take plenty of time, it won’t be your time. And it will take less time regardless. This means the part of you that fiends for instant gratification will be more satisfied, and your pretty hands will be spared the grueling labor of taking apart your car and putting it back together better.

Cons:

But peace of mind comes at a price. Professional conversions are a significant investment (ask us about your project), often accompanied by hefty labor fees and premium parts. Moreover, while you can still customize your EV, you won’t have the same level of control over the details as you would with a DIY approach.

And then there’s dependency. Finding a reputable provider can be a task in itself (ask us about your project), with no guarantees until you see the results.

Making the Decision: DIY or DIFM?

To decide, you need to assess your skills and resources. If you don’t have the technical know-how for a DIY conversion, are you willing to invest the (significant) time needed to learn? If not, don’t even try it. But, if you have the skills, sources, and savvy to do it, it may just be one of the most satisfying technical endeavors you pursue.

If you’re prepared to spend more for that professional finish and finesse, there is a deep allure to that as well. There’s convenience, time, and safety appeals to a professional job.

At the end of the day, if you’re like most people, it is statistically more likely that you will need to at least lean on a professional to complete your conversion. However, whatever route you choose, you’re stepping into the future of driving where your carbon footprint is lower, your car is faster, and you’ll be more ready than ever to take on the road ahead.