You might find this more interesting than willing to buy it

[ORCoaster]

If you guys in Washington state have the coin and the desire to pick up a one off specialty check this listing out:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/cto/4942630999.html

And if you want to go the electric route check this one:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/4942026335.html

IF I only had more time, and a garage to work in. 

[burn_your_money]

Why would the electric have a 5 speed? Aren't all modern electrics and even hybrids single speed?

[ORCoaster]

It was built in the mid 1970's and they just took out the diesel engine and put in the electric motor.  The Kubvans ran VW front ends and transmissions in addition to an all aluminum box.  You are looking at one of about 50 of them that were ever made. 

And now a second thought.  Aren't most of the newer drive trains powered by a single motor but connected to a continuously variable transmission?  So it may appear to be one speed but it is always changing the gear ratios to get faster with the same low RPM of the motor.

[TylerDurden]

Why would the electric have a 5 speed? Aren't all modern electrics and even hybrids single speed?

Electric motors have sweet spots for power or efficiency.
Even the purpose built electric prototypes for USPS in the Eighties had three speed trannies.
Commuta-Van:



OrCoaster:
Both those rigs are a hoot.... good thing I don't live closer.  I have too many cars already.

[ORCoaster]

That reminds me of the Parking Meter readers rig.  They didn't need to travel far around town and they didn't need speed to catch their violators.  Oh, you're expired.  Ticket for you. 

[burn_your_money]

And now a second thought.  Aren't most of the newer drive trains powered by a single motor but connected to a continuously variable transmission?  So it may appear to be one speed but it is always changing the gear ratios to get faster with the same low RPM of the motor.

I just looked up the Prius and you are correct. I remember reading about a custom electric using a forklift power train and the owner said he always just used 4th gear since the motor had enough torque and RPM range to do everything he needed in fourth. I guess I assumed that that was the way the pros did it too.

[745 turbogreasel]

Prii have that  junk to protect  the gas motor.
Many conversions  use a trans, but  few of the competitive cars  do.  If you have an adequate motor , battery , and controller it is not needed or desirable.
modelS for example uses a 9:1 reduction box.
The EVwest M3 uses a powerglide to good effect though

[ORCoaster]

The van was mostly a conversion from what they currently had going at the time.  Which was mid 1970, gas lines, high prices,  Probably all of 1/gallon.  I can't remember much about the price just sitting in lines for 30-45 mins to fuel up my 10 gallon tank.  The pump operators, that's right no self serve yet, would laugh at me for having to do such penalty time to get that little bit of gas.  But at the time I was still getting pretty good mileage out of a 1969 GT-6+ Triumph. 

The price is coming down on the van.  Might sell this weekend.  I would love to get it and put some Tesla technology and batteries in it and see what it could do.   

[745 turbogreasel]

I'm pretty sure 4 Zero motorcycle packs  would fit on that tray
With 3, we held our own pretty good in a 1600 lb car, and the 100KW controller would not  give enough juice to heat anything up.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr4jMrKGUfE