A Cincinnati, Ohio company - AMP Motorworks is offering to convert Saturn Sky automobiles to all electric vehicles with 150 mile range for $25,000. The company says it will use Lithium Iron Phosphate batteries and expects to start delivery in early 2009 of converted vechicles. It plans an initial run of 300 conversions.
A posting in the Australian Electric Vechicle Associate forum states the first batteries were sent off to AMP Motorworks in April 2008.
If successful, would GM be willing to sell them Saturn Sky bodies without a gas-powered powertrain to simplify the conversion process?
Update: May 25, 2008
AMP has a media page with links to recent radio, television and newspaper reports and interviews.
One of the radio shows is Bill Cunningham of 700 WLW interviewing AMP President John J. Kuntz and Chief Engineer Tim Wieck. The interview and answers to caller questions reveal:
- Custom patent pending engine based on one from a speciality shop that does defence work
- 13000 rpm
- No transmission
- 90 MPH software limited maximium speed
- Uses hundreds of batteries
- Life expectancy is expected life of vehicle – 100,000 miles stated but no guarantee
- Limiting battery charge to portion of maximum capacity to smooth performance
- Plan to sell the removed gasoline motors on eBay
- First prototype estimated to cost $1 million to build