Electric-swapped 1978 MG Midget (with a 4spd and clutch!)

Here's a quick video walk-around a drive of my 1978 MG Midget that was converted to electric in 1992. Many people have asked me what it's like to drive an electric car with manual transmission and clutch, so here you go!

[@ralkia]

my left ear loves your explanation in the first half of the video

[@va-et-vient4640]

I hope you’re proud of yourself, mon ami ! Beautiful job all around! I drive a Bolt, which I truly love, but the GM response was…lacking when I needed my charge port fixed. My brother had 2 MGs in the driveway during the 80s, and I’m not sure if he ever got either up and running, so this impresses me all the more!

[@dannelson6980]

Great to see a conversion running again that is older than mine. I have a 76 914 that was converted in 97. DC motor lead acid batteries. They likely doubled the weight of the car. I restored to car, and upgraded the motor to a modern AC motor. The throttle control is better with the AC motors and you gain regen, which adds about 20% range in the city. Hopefully by now you have your DC to DC converter installed.

[@jasonv8142]

Amazing!!

[@Slyons89]

What happens at "redline" at the top of a gear? Does it have a limiter, and is there a risk of over-rev'ing it like in an internal combustion motor?

[@HillierProductions]

There is a HUGE risk of over-revving this motor; no, there is not a limiter. You basically don't downshift in this car (unless you need to get up a steep hill, lol). It is extremely easy to blow up the motor from over-revving it, and is a big reason to not just let anyone drive this car as-is.

[@Khrrck]

What's the biggest source of range limitations do you think? Battery capacity? Motor efficiency?

[@Alamander81]

My guess would be motor efficiency. Old brushed DC motors are pretty weak and inefficient compared to modern units.

[@HillierProductions]

Battery capacity, by far. In this car it's only 15kWh which is tiny compared to any commercially available EV. However because it is so light, the efficiency is actually quite good at about 30mph, noticably better than my 2018 Nissan Leaf.

[@zalmoxis2111]

what's 0-60 in this thing?

[@HillierProductions]

I haven't measured it but nothing crazy. Probably 15 seconds or so lol. Similar power to weight vs the original.

[@adrianoesouza]

Autonomy