Converting cars to electric in Ukraine: what you need to know

Electric cars are becoming more and more popular in Ukraine, and more and more people are thinking about the possibility of turning their conventional car into an eco-friendly electric one. Converting a petrol or diesel car to an electric one is not only an opportunity to save on fuel, but also to contribute to the preservation of the environment. However, this process requires knowledge of technical nuances and compliance with certain legal requirements.

In this article, we will look at what is the conversion of a car to an electric drive, how to do it in Ukraine, what documents are required to legalise a converted vehicle, as well as how much it will cost and what benefits and challenges may arise during this process.

We remind you that you can purchase home and commercial charging stations in our online storeand also use the public charging stations ECOFACTORcharging points located throughout Ukraine. For convenient access to charging infrastructure, we recommend using our mobile applicationwhich is available on iOS and Android.

Is it legal to convert a car to electric?

For example, in Ukraine, the process of converting a car from petrol or diesel to electric is legal if all safety and registration requirements are met. The converted car must be registered with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and receive a new technical passport indicating the type of fuel - electric.

If you are in doubt about whether your vehicle is suitable for conversion, you can contact a specialist to help you assess the possibilities and determine whether a conversion is possible.

Documents for converting a car to electric

The process of converting a car to an electric drive requires not only technical changes, but also the fulfilment of several legal requirements to officially make the car electric and meet safety and environmental standards. Here are the main steps involved in terms of documents and certification:

Submitting documents to the Ministry of Internal Affairs

After completing the conversion of your vehicle, you must submit the relevant documents to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine (MIA) to change the vehicle's registration data. This is a mandatory step that involves several important steps:

• Application to the Ministry of Internal Affairs: You need to submit an application to the service centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which indicates the change of fuel type (electric drive). 
• Proof of insurance: After the vehicle has been converted to electric drive, you must contact the insurance company and report the changes to the vehicle design. The insurer will provide an updated proof of insurance, which must be submitted together with other documents for registration with the Ministry of the Interior
• Technical passport: The original technical passport of the vehicle, together with proof of conversion, must be submitted to the Ministry of the Interior. The technical passport will indicate that the car now has an electric motor, as well as other important characteristics.
• Medical and technical confirmation: In some cases, if the conversion significantly alters the design of the vehicle, it may be necessary to undergo a technical inspection or medical examination to confirm that the vehicle is safe to drive on the roads.

Certification of a converted car

Certification is an important part of the conversion process and includes verification of the vehicle's compliance with the established state standards.

• Issuance of a certificate: After the conversion, the vehicle must be certified by the authorities responsible for monitoring the technical condition of vehicles. The inspection results in a certificate confirming that all changes to the vehicle meet safety and environmental standards. This certificate is required for further registration.
• Amendments to the technical passport: After certification, the converted vehicle is registered at a service centre of the Ministry of the Interior, where the technical passport is amended. This allows you to indicate that the vehicle is now electrically driven and update all the necessary data.

Important nuances of certification and registration

• Responsibility for security: The vehicle owner is responsible for ensuring the safety of the converted vehicle. All components used in the conversion process must be certified and meet the safety requirements. Without proper certification, the vehicle will not be able to pass the technical inspection and will not be registered.
• Adaptation to standards: If the vehicle being converted has specific design features (e.g., a rare model), special permission may be required from government authorities to perform the conversion. In such cases, a certificate of conformity from accredited testing laboratories authorised to certify vehicles may be required.
• Risks in the absence of certification: Without certification, the car will not be recognised as legal to operate. This means that you will not be able to pass a technical inspection or register the car with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which in turn will make it illegal to use on the roads.

Compliance with all the necessary documentary procedures is mandatory in order for a converted car to officially become electric. It is important not only to carry out the technical work, but also to register the car correctly and go through all the certification stages to avoid legal problems and ensure the safety of the vehicle.

How to convert a car to electric?

Converting a car to an electric drive is a complex and technically demanding process that involves several stages, each with its own specific requirements and nuances. The first and perhaps most important step is to replace the engine. Instead of a petrol or diesel engine, an electric motor is installed, which has a completely different design and operating principle. The electric motor for the conversion is selected depending on the type and power of the vehicle. Replacing the motor requires appropriate mounting, adaptation to the transmission and connection to the vehicle's electrical systems.

Next, you need to install the battery, which is the main source of energy for the electric drive. The choice of battery depends on the size of the vehicle and the required range. Batteries for electric vehicles have different capacities and types (lithium-ion, lithium-iron-phosphate, etc.), which determines their cost, efficiency, and charging time. A special place in the car body must also be provided for the battery, as it is heavy and requires additional ventilation and cooling. It is important to plan the location of the battery correctly so as not to change the centre of gravity of the car and not to disturb its stability.

In addition to the battery, an inverter must be installed, which is responsible for converting the direct current from the battery into alternating current for the electric motor. The inverter must also ensure the correct power supply, adjusting the speed and power of the motor depending on the load. The inverter must be configured and synchronised with the rest of the system to ensure correct operation of the electric drive.

In addition to the main components - motor, battery and inverter - the conversion process requires the installation of a battery management system (BMS) that monitors the battery, prevents overheating and overloading, and is responsible for balancing the cells in the battery to extend its life. A battery charger should also be provided to ensure that the battery can be recharged from the home electrical network or special charging stations.

Converting a vehicle to an electric drive is not only about replacing components, but also integrating them into a single system, which requires highly skilled technicians and special equipment. Technical expertise is a key factor in the successful completion of the work, as improper installation or an incorrectly configured system can lead to breakdowns, reduced efficiency or even danger during operation. Therefore, this process must be approached with the utmost seriousness and care.

The cost of converting a car to electric

The cost of converting a vehicle to an electric drive in Ukraine depends on several factors. One of the main ones is the type of vehicle: passenger cars are cheaper to convert, while commercial or specialised vehicles such as SUVs or buses require more complex adaptations, which increases the cost.

Another important factor is the choice of components. The price of batteries and electric motors varies depending on their characteristics, power and capacity. Modern batteries with high capacity are more expensive but provide a longer range.

The scope of work is also important: if you choose to do it yourself, the cost of the workmen will be minimal, but you need to take into account the additional costs of tools and possible mistakes. If you turn to specialists, this increases the cost due to their labour and technical support.

An estimated conversion in Ukraine can cost between $7,000 and $20,000, depending on the complexity of the work and components.

Automatic or manual gearbox: which is better for converting to electric drive?

Electric vehicles do not require a standard transmission with a clutch and brake system, as the electric motor does not "cut in" like an internal combustion engine. If you decide to convert a car with an automatic transmission to an electric drive, no clutch or gears will be necessary, which will reduce the cost of the conversion. However, if you have a car with a manual transmission, this is also not a problem and it can be converted to electric.

There are some manufacturers on the market that create electric cars with manual transmissions to maintain a familiar driving behaviour for drivers who are used to this type of transmission. However, most modern electric cars use automatic transmissions or do not have gears at all, as electric cars are based on regenerative braking. This technology allows the energy generated during braking to be converted back into energy for the battery, which significantly increases the driving range and improves battery efficiency.

As for manual transmissions, they require more resources to recycle and their installation in an electric vehicle usually complicates the process. An automatic transmission or no gearbox makes retrofitting easier because these systems are simpler and lighter, which also has a positive effect on the efficiency of the electric transmission.

Therefore, for a successful conversion to electric drive, you need to choose vehicles with a good balance between weight and strength, which will help maintain efficiency, safety and comfort on the road.

The best cars to convert to electric drive

When choosing a car for conversion to an electric drive, it is important to pay attention to several factors to ensure comfortable and safe operation of an electric vehicle.

One of the key aspects is sufficient space for the batteries. As batteries for electric vehicles have a significant volume and weight, they must be placed in safe and convenient places inside the vehicle. This can be under the seat or in the luggage compartment, but it must be remembered that the batteries should not be exposed as this can create a safety risk.

Another important factor is the weight of the vehicle. For electric cars, weight is one of the main factors affecting efficiency. The lighter the car, the further it can go on a single charge. Vehicles weighing no more than 2,000-3,000 lb (900-1350 kg) are ideal, as this reduces the load on the batteries and improves their efficiency. However, it is important to choose vehicles with a strong body structure to support the additional weight of the batteries, which adds significantly to the vehicle's weight.

How long does it take to convert a car?

The time required to convert a vehicle to an electric drive depends on several factors. The first factor is the type of vehicle. For example, classic cars or older models may take longer to convert due to the need for additional technical work or adaptations. Another important factor is the complexity of the work, as if the car requires significant changes to the design or approach to the electric transmission, this can increase the time required. On average, a vehicle conversion can take from a few weeks to several months, depending on the individual conditions and scope of work.

How to charge an electric car after conversion?

After converting a vehicle to an electric drive, it is important to take care of connecting to the charging infrastructure. There are two main charging options. The first is charging from the household network. This is the most affordable way, but it takes longer because standard 3-pin sockets provide a lower level of current. For fast charging, you can use specialised charging stations, which have a much higher power and allow you to charge your car faster. The choice between these options depends on your needs for charging speed and access to infrastructure.

Charging solutions for your electric car from ECOFACTOR

We, ECOFACTOR, are a Ukrainian company specialising in the development and production of charging stations for electric vehicles. Due to the popularity of electric vehicle conversions, we offer a variety of charging solutions that allow you to conveniently charge your electric vehicle after conversion. Our charging stations meet modern requirements and are available for both private and business use.

We also offer accessories and adapters that allow you to conveniently connect your car to different types of charging stations. Our devices are fully developed and manufactured in Ukraine in accordance with industry standards, which guarantees their reliability and durability.

For the convenience of users, we have created an application for iOS and Android, which allows you to find the nearest charging stations, track charging status and use map of charging stations to optimise your route. This is especially important for electric car drivers who need access to reliable and convenient charging infrastructure.

In our online store you will find a variety of AC stations up to 44 kW, DC stations up to 420 kW, as well as cables and charging accessories to help you create an efficient charging system for your electric car. Our solutions are suitable for all needs - from simple home charging to complex business infrastructures.

For businesses, we provide comprehensive solutions for organising a network of charging stations. Our platform allows you to conveniently manage stations, control energy consumption and set flexible pricing, making charging your electric vehicle efficient and profitable.

Is it worth re-equipping the car?

Converting a car to an electric drive is a serious step that requires significant financial and time costs. If your goal is to save on fuel and make your car more environmentally friendly, then conversion can be a great option. You will be able to keep your favourite car and at the same time reduce operating costs. However, you should understand that this process can be expensive and time-consuming. If your main goal is to minimise your operating costs, conversion may not be the most cost-effective option, as it is often cheaper to buy a ready-made electric car than to convert it.

Conclusion.

Converting a vehicle to an electric drive is a complex but feasible process that has significant potential to reduce fuel costs and have a positive impact on the environment. Although it usually requires a significant financial and time commitment, for many owners of older cars it can be a profitable option to get an environmentally friendly and economical vehicle. However, it is important to prepare carefully, taking into account all legal requirements, necessary documents and technical aspects. Thanks to companies such as ECOFACTOR, drivers can get all the necessary charging solutions and support for the safe and convenient operation of electric cars in Ukraine. Converting a car is an investment in the future that benefits both car owners and the environment.

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