A step forward towards e-mobility adoption: VW beetle and fiberglass boat converted into EVs

Within the electric mobility concept, the transportation sector found the possibility to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. Although the reduction of emissions is a target for EU, the transportation sector is mainly dependent on fossil fuels like petroleum or natural gas. Nowadays, the most used power source for land and water vehicles propulsion is the internal combustion engine, but in the latest years, a considerable effort is made towards propulsion obtained from renewable energy. Unfortunately the transition from internal combustion engines to electric motors is made with “baby steps”. This paper presents the conversion of a Volkswagen Beetle into a full electric car and the conversion of the fiberglass boat into a full electric boat. The power source used to obtain electrical propulsion is based on today's state-of-the-art technology, lithium battery cells which are monitored by a battery management system (BMS). The parameters of the main components used during the conversions are presented in detail.