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Vehicle Types

Sedans (2 and 4-door), Station Wagons, and Convertibles can be converted. We have worked on several higher end sports cars, such as MGs, Porsches, and BMWs in the past.

Each vehicle must be carefully examined to determine how good a candidate the vehicle would before conversion to an electric vehicle. Factors such as car size, car weight, drive trainlayout, and space for batteries are all considered.

A comprehensive plan must be adapted for each vehicle to be converted. If you ask us to convert a large sedan, we may tell you that it isn't a good idea, or tell you that you might not be satisfied with the range or performance, but it is unlikely that we will tell you it can't be done.

Automatic Transmissions

We regularly get asked to convert a vehicle with an automatic transmission

Automatic transmissions are somewhat more expensive to convert for several reasons

The transmission is slightly less efficient, and was originally built for the torque and horsepower of a gasoline or diesel engine. These design characteristics are the reverse of the design characteristics needed for an electric motor. Thus, the automatic transmission would have to be overridden so it doesn't shift, and stays in one gear. On cars that we have converted, a modified shift linkage also has to be fabricated. Converting a car with an manual transmission is usually considerably less expensive, easier to do, and is even more trouble free.

New Plug-In Prius Options

Lithium Options have been added to the options for Plug-In Prius conversions

Plug-In Prius Options	Lead Acid (PbA) 5 kW-hr	Li Fe PO₄ 4.3 kW-hr	Li Fe PO₄ 10.2 kW-hr
EV Range	10 - 15 miles	13 - 15 miles	35 - 40 miles
System Weight	360 lbs.	150 lbs.	330 lbs.
Price	$4,995	$8,495	$14,995 Including installation

Abbreviated Table - Click For Full Comparison

New Rebates and Incentives links

We found several new links for rebate and incentive programs, and for state laws and regulations pertaining to electric powered and other alternative fuel vehicles.

Summary of State and Federal Incentives

Most State Incentives and Laws

Illinois Incentives and Laws

Little Juice Coupe on WGN-TV

Watch the YouTube video of WGN-TV

Why Does Pioneer Conversions Make Sense?

There are several factors which make financial sense for Pioneer to convert cars this way:

Economical purchasing

Purchasing similar components in bulk means the total price to the customer is reduced.

Matched components

Components can be carefully selected, or ordered exactly as needed when multiple similar vehicles are built.

Design costs

Designs for battery boxes can be created once, and not redesigned with each vehicle converted. Designs for adapters for motors and mountings do not have to be continually redesigned. Designs for brackets for switches and contactors and controllers can be done once.

Components can be fabricated in bulk

Creating one battery box means manual construction. Creating more than one means the job can be sent to a fabrication shop, some of which use computer controlled machinery to cut the pieces and assemble them. Components fabricated by machine are more accurate, and less costly.

Less expensive assembly

If each component must be mounted individually, no templates are used. If component mounting templates are available, assembly is quicker, easier. If component mounting templates are available, less skilled assembly people can be used. >Similarly, a comprehensive assembly plan can be created, streamlining assembly.

EV's for transportation

Aimed at several sectors of the market

Pioneer Conversions started when it's founding members recognized that new electric vehicle enthusiasts could not find a quality vehicle to buy. People would become interested in electric cars and trucks, and needed to find a local source for vehicles that could serve as transportation. It seems that each person has their own individual ideas of what kind of car they like. Thus, Pioneer offers lots of choices for cars to convert.

Above all, driving an electric vehicle ought to be fun.

Pioneer is making fun to drive EV's

People who want an electric vehicle are willing to drive something a little different, to recharge in a different way, and to accept certain limitations in order to be more eco-friendly.

Other reasons to consider our cars:

Pioneer offers plug in and forget recharging

Pioneer offers a sophisticated battery management system.

Cars from Pioneer Conversions will need nothing special to keep batteries in top shape.

Our cars can recharge at home, at work, or at play

We know museums, train stations, universities all offer charging facilities

This page has been visited times

What's Happening This Month at Pioneer

We have ordered another bulk order of Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄) Our first batch will go into our second Toyota Matrix.

We are excited about the "Blue Window" Electronic Dashboard. This replaces the older gauges with a new video dashboard, showing both analog and digital readouts. It also has the ability to output significant data in a continuous stream through a USB port. The stream is easily read, and the data can be downloaded into a spreadsheet to extract relavent data and produce graphs, averages, etc.

Our Most Frequent Question

How much to convert my vehicle?

There isn't a simple answer to this question. Much depends on the vehicle involved, on the performance expected, and how much range is needed. Different types of batteries must be considered, and different components selected for each situation. A brief answer to the question can be found on our Conversion Costs page.

What was Last Month's News at Pioneer?

Plug-In Hybrid Conversions

We have teamed with Plug-In Supply to offer their kit for converting Toyota Prius cars to Plug-In Electrics. Plug-In Supply has teamed with CalCars in the design of this package, and we are a certified dealer for these kits.

With this kit, you will plug in your Prius at night, and be able to go 10 miles without using any gasoline, and at speeds up to 53 miles per hour. Current kits (pardon the pun) demonstrate 10 miles in electric-only range, depending on terrain and driving style. Lithium Ion kits are being developed, and we expect to see over 30 miles of range with these. Watch for this announcement. Of course, if your trip needs greater speeds or longer drives, your Prius continues to function as a hybrid, but now is capable of 100+ MPG. Our staff is certified and fully capable of installing this system. See more information here or write for details.

What's with the Covered Wagon?

We've been doing conversions to EV's for more than 20 years. Our years of experience are akin to those frontiersmen who blazed new trails in their Conestoga wagons. By trial and error, they found or created a road that took them where they wanted to go. Early adopters in a new territory are frequently called pioneers. We're happy to use the image of a Conestoga wagon, adapted with a power plug.

Pioneer Conversions Logo

Visit us

If you see items of interest on our web site, and you're serious about an electric conversion, we urge you to visit our shop. Directions are located on the "Find Us" page, We urge you to call ahead. Occasionally we're out of the shop for a couple of hours, perhaps testing, perhaps running for parts, perhaps lunching with a supplier or customer.

Returns and Restocking

We occasionally are asked about returns of items we have sold.

Our policy:

Returns must be new, unused, and with original packing and all parts, including instructions.

A 20% restocking fee will apply to any parts returned.

All returns will be at our discretion, and require prior approval. Call us, or email us with requests first.

Pioneer Conversions L.L.C.

12305 South New Avenue, Suite N
Lemont, IL 60439
Phone: 630-243-6616
Fax: 630-243-6582

Site Map

Vehicle Types

Automatic Transmissions

New Plug-In Prius Options

Lithium Options have been added to the options for Plug-In Prius conversions

New Rebates and Incentives links

Little Juice Coupe on WGN-TV

Why Does Pioneer Conversions Make Sense?

There are several factors which make financial sense for Pioneer to convert cars this way:

Economical purchasing

Matched components

Design costs

Components can be fabricated in bulk

Less expensive assembly

EV's for transportation

Aimed at several sectors of the market

Above all, driving an electric vehicle ought to be fun.

Pioneer is making fun to drive EV's

Other reasons to consider our cars:

What's Happening This Month at Pioneer

Our Most Frequent Question

How much to convert my vehicle?

What was Last Month's News at Pioneer?

Plug-In Hybrid Conversions

What's with the Covered Wagon?

Visit us

Returns and Restocking

Pioneer Conversions L.L.C.

12305 South New Avenue, Suite NLemont, IL 60439Phone: 630-243-6616Fax: 630-243-6582

Site Map

Vehicle Types

Automatic Transmissions

New Plug-In Prius Options

Lithium Options have been added to the options for Plug-In Prius conversions

New Rebates and Incentives links

Little Juice Coupe on WGN-TV

Why Does Pioneer Conversions Make Sense?

There are several factors which make financial sense for Pioneer to convert cars this way:

Economical purchasing

Matched components

Design costs

Components can be fabricated in bulk

Less expensive assembly

EV's for transportation

Aimed at several sectors of the market

Above all, driving an electric vehicle ought to be fun.

Pioneer is making fun to drive EV's

Other reasons to consider our cars:

What's Happening This Month at Pioneer

Our Most Frequent Question

How much to convert my vehicle?

What was Last Month's News at Pioneer?

Plug-In Hybrid Conversions

What's with the Covered Wagon?

Visit us

Returns and Restocking

12305 South New Avenue, Suite N
Lemont, IL 60439
Phone: 630-243-6616
Fax: 630-243-6582