this post was submitted on 06 May 2026
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Electric Vehicles

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Electric Vehicles are a key part of our tomorrow and how we get there. If we can get all the fossil fuel vehicles off our roads, out of our seas and out of our skies, we'll have a much better environment. This community is where we discuss the various different vehicles and news stories regarding electric transportation.


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Question for this community: I currently have a 1998 toyota tacoma and, frankly, love the compact pickup form factor. I've been wanting to move to an electric truck for years, but am not seeing many options... am I being an idiot, hoping for a unicorn?

  • Slate looks attractive, but I'm hesitant about a first gen model from a brand new company. Maybe wait a year after release?
  • Telo also looks good, but same issue.
  • Ford Lightning is bigger than I'd prefer.
  • There are some smaller builds, like the Pickman, but not being able to get on the highway
  • I've also thought of paying for an electric conversion of my current truck, but that's looking like $40k just to convert an already older vehicle that's not in great shape.

My main needs are to have a full bed, 2 seats, top speed of ~55mph, and hopefully be less than $50k. I don't care for any other modern amenities, crank windows and dumb systems are perfect, and don't need much range. Am I hoping for too little for too little?

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[–] imeansurewhynot@sh.itjust.works 23 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (2 children)

From your wishlist, I still think the ev conversion is the way to go.

A conversion will let you keep all of the non-smart features on your vehicle that you appreciate and will get you an electric F-150 while saving at least ~10000, maybe more. It used to be a lot more, although I'm not familiar with the rates these days.

Some garages are model-specific too, so you might get a much better quote with the conversion from one that specializes in Ford pickups than one that specializes in VW bugs.

Have you received many quotes or just the one 40k price?

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 6 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Conversions are expensive and a nightmare if things go wrong, no one can fix it.

[–] imeansurewhynot@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Conversions are often cheaper than a new vehicle, sometimes things go wrong on any type of vehicle, and often those things can be fixed.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Not on a long trip at a random garage. No one will touch a conversion.

[–] imeansurewhynot@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

Oh, i see. If you have a sick horse and ride 3 hours to a random Porsche dealership for veterinary care, then you're correct, you probably are out of luck.

Now, you take your sick horse to an animal hospital...it'll have a better chance at receiving proper care.

[–] anticonnor@lemmy.world 11 points 1 day ago (2 children)

I also like the idea of converting, but the quotes I got are from a few years ago. I should probably check again and see if there are new kit options. On top of the kit cost is finding a local shop that can handle the conversion. I'll keep exploring that route.

[–] BrickEater@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

So VW conversions use a plate that just deletes the engine, acts as a mount for your new electric motor and meshes the new motor with the flywheel. You might look into replacing just your motor and AC, and tying everything else into a pack in the back for your battery paired with a contollrer for the new engines gas control

[–] imeansurewhynot@sh.itjust.works 9 points 1 day ago (1 children)

A wide net is your best bet, 10 years ago sedan and VW conversions were 10 to 15,000 us, and there were probably less than 10 garages around the country offering EV conversion service. Now there are dozens, so except for the current trade route EV materials problems for the states right now, rates should be more competitive.

I am seeing many options for F-150 EV conversion kits too, in a casual search.

Completely anecdotal, but back then when I was looking it up to convert my SUV, the best quotes I got were from the drier, warmer States down in Arizona and New Mexico area.

Best of luck, I hope to hear a positive update!

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 2 points 1 day ago (1 children)

the problem with F150 conversions is that stupid truck has the aero of a barn, and the road noise drone will drive you crazy.

Constant controlled explosions of a maintenance-heavy gasoline engine vs. low-maintenance AC hum is certainly a choice.