Electric Car Sales 6 Times Higher Since 10 Years Ago
Electric cars hit monthly sales of 120,000 vehicles in 2021. Only 10 years ago that number was 6 times lower. With advances in technology and manufacturing, and dropping costs, many consumers have switched to or added electric cars to their garage. From an economics point of view, in some cases, electric cars are competitively priced from purchase to end-of-use when compared to gasoline-powered cars.
Reasons People Want To Modify Their Electric Cars
Like traditional gasoline-powered vehicles, electric vehicles (EVs) can also be modified with aftermarket parts to enhance their performance, functionality, comfort, and aesthetics. Here are some of the modifications available for electric vehicles:
Performance Upgrades
Software Tuning: This involves adjusting the software that controls the vehicle’s powertrain. Since EVs are mainly software-controlled, expert tuners can make modifications to improve performance, such as increasing torque or speed. This needs to be done carefully as it can potentially impact the warranty and lifespan of the car’s battery.
Upgraded Tires: High-performance tires can improve handling and efficiency, and potentially increase range. However, it’s important to note that some high-performance tires might decrease range due to increased rolling resistance.
Suspension Upgrades: Installing higher-quality suspension components can improve handling and ride comfort.
Aesthetics and Comfort
Body Kits and Wraps: Just like traditional cars, EVs can be modified with body kits, wraps, or custom paint jobs to change their appearance.
Interior Upgrades: These can include anything from custom upholstery to installing high-end audio equipment.
Lighting Upgrades: Aftermarket lights, such as LEDs or custom taillights, can also be added to electric vehicles.
Functionality and Utility
Roof Racks or Storage: These can be added for additional storage or for carrying bicycles, skis, etc.
Tow Hitches: Some EVs can be fitted with aftermarket tow hitches, but be mindful of the impact on range when towing.
Battery Range Extenders: Some companies offer auxiliary battery packs that can extend the range of an EV. These typically need to be professionally installed and can be expensive.
Charging Equipment Upgrades: Faster home chargers or adapters for different types of public chargers can make charging more convenient.
Self-Driving Upgrades
Aftermarket companies are developing add-on kits that can give certain EVs capabilities they didn’t come with from the factory. For instance, comma.ai offers a product that can add certain self-driving features to compatible cars.
Challenges Of Modifying Electric Cars
Electric cars and vehicles (EVs) are indeed becoming more popular due to their environmental benefits, lower operating costs, and innovative technology. However, when it comes to modifications, EVs are generally not as easy to modify as traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, at least not in the same ways. There are several reasons for this:
Complexity of electrical systems: Electric vehicles use complex electrical systems and software, which can be difficult for the average enthusiast to understand and modify. Tampering with these systems could cause damage, void warranties, or even create safety hazards.
Limited aftermarket support: The EV market is still relatively young, and the aftermarket support for modifications is not as extensive as it is for traditional ICE vehicles. This means there are fewer off-the-shelf parts and accessories available for EV owners to customize their vehicles.
Warranty concerns: Modifying an electric vehicle can void the manufacturer’s warranty, especially if the modifications directly affect the battery, electric motor, or charging system. This can be a significant concern for EV owners, as the cost of replacing components like the battery pack is possibly more expensive than replacing any other component.
Regulations and safety: Due to the high voltages and potential hazards associated with electric vehicle systems, there may be more stringent regulations and safety requirements governing EV modifications. This can limit the scope of modifications available to EV owners.
Modifying Electric Cars – Both Hardware And Software Are Possible
However, this doesn’t mean that electric vehicles cannot be modified at all. There are still some areas where EV owners can customize their cars, such as cosmetic and aesthetic modifications, suspension and braking upgrades, and software modifications.
Modifying electric cars is trending now. Car modifications usually happen under the hood, with aftermarket companies developing new ways to make engines perform better. But modifying electric cars is a different beast altogether. Much work happens also on the software side. And since modifying electric cars is still a relatively new phenomenon, there aren’t as many companies offering services yet. Here are a few modifications that you can make to your EV:
Battery Upgrades
The first and most common modification for electric cars is a battery upgrade. This is usually done to increase the range of the car. Adding more batteries allows you to store more electricity and travel further on a single charge. You can also add bigger batteries, which will give you more power and allow you to accelerate faster.
Motor Upgrades
Another common modification for electric cars is a motor upgrade. This is usually done to increase the performance of the car. Adding a bigger motor can accelerate faster and go up hills more easily. You can also add a second motor, giving you all-wheel drive and even more power. Aftermarket companies usually do electric car mods like this.
Car Computer Management
One of the most important aspects of electric cars is the computer management system. This system controls everything from the battery to the motor and can be modified to improve performance. By tweaking the software, you can increase the motor’s power output or make the batteries last longer. You can also add features like a regenerative braking system, which will help improve the range of the car.
Tires And Wheel Size
You can make another modification to electric cars: changing the tires and wheel size. This is usually done to improve the range of the car. Increasing the tire size can reduce rolling resistance and make the car more efficient. You can also change the wheel size, affecting the car’s gearing and making it more efficient. You can also fit modified electric cars with low-rolling-resistance tires, which will help improve range.
Electric Car Interior Modification Ideas
If you’re looking to make more significant changes to the interior of your electric car, you may want to consider changing the seats for more comfortable options. You may also want to change out the flooring for something that better suits your needs and taste. And if you want to go all out, you could install custom dashboards and control systems.
These are just a few modifications you can make to electric cars. As technology develops, we will see even more modifications to these cars. So if you’re thinking about modifying your electric car, plenty of options are available. Make sure to research and find a reputable company to work with.
Modifications That Make A Car Faster
You can make many modifications to a car to make it faster. You can make these modifications to the engine, the transmission, the suspension, or the tires. One of the most popular modifications is a change to the engine. This can involve adding a larger turbocharger, increasing the engine’s displacement, or adding nitrogenous injection. Another popular modification is a change to the transmission.
This can involve installing a shorter final drive or closer gear ratio. You can also make suspension modifications to improve handling and reduce body roll. These modifications can involve stiffening the springs, installing larger anti-roll bars, or lowering the ride height. Finally, you can make tire modifications to improve grip and traction.
This can involve installing wider tires, softer compound tires, or stickier racing slicks. These modifications will make a car faster in different ways, and it is up to the individual to decide which type of modification is right for them.
Cheap Cosmetic Electric Car Mods
If you’re looking for cheap cosmetic electric car mods to give your ride a makeover, plenty of options are available. One popular mod is to replace the standard headlights with LED bulbs. LED bulbs are much brighter than traditional bulbs and last longer, so they can help you save money in the long run.
Another popular mod is to add decals or stickers to the car’s body. This can be a great way to show off your personality and style and a relatively cheap way to make your car feel gorgeous. If you’re looking for something more ambitious, you could install a new stereo system or upgrade the car’s paint job. Whatever cheap cosmetic electric car mods you choose, make sure you consult with an expert before making any permanent changes to your car.
Small electric car mods can make a big difference in the efficiency of these cars, and they are worth considering if you are looking to get the most out of your car.
Should You Add Solar Panels To The Top Of The Electric Car?
Yes if you want to get laughed at. You might think that adding a solar panel will help charge the battery and keep the car running for longer. The fact is that a single 1.6 sq meter solar panel will generate about 1 kWh per day.
So if you find a way to stick that big solar panel on your car you’ll add about 1 kWh of juice into the car battery. How far will that get you? Well electric vehicles on average seem to be getting 4 miles from 1 kWh. So after a full day of charging that one solar panel on your car, you’ll be able to drive 4 miles.
But let’s say you can use the extra juice for something else like charging up a cell phone or powering electronics. Sure, that sounds ok from an energy point of view although from a practical point of view it might not be worth the cost-benefit ratio!
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, you can make many different electric car modifications to improve performance, aesthetics, or both. It is important to research and consult with experts before making any permanent changes to your car. However, with the right modifications, you can take your electric car to the next level. Thanks for reading!
