Building an electric car for your kids can be a rewarding and educational project. Instead of purchasing a pre-made plastic electric car, one parent decided to take on a more ambitious and personalized approach: creating a custom-built EV from scratch. This project not only promises a unique and fun vehicle for children but also offers a fantastic opportunity for learning about electric vehicles and DIY engineering.
This project started with a desire to move beyond store-bought plastic cars and create something more substantial and tailored. The builder envisioned a two-seater, open-wheel, rear-engine car, perfectly sized for young children. Constructed primarily from plywood with oak reinforcements, the body is designed for strength and rigidity without being overly heavy. The dimensions are kid-friendly, approximately 4.5 feet long and 3 feet wide, ensuring it’s manageable yet spacious enough for two young passengers.
With the rolling chassis and steering system nearing completion, the next critical phase is the electrical setup. For a vehicle intended for young children, safety and appropriate speed are paramount. The goal is a top speed of around 10 mph, which is brisk enough for fun without being too fast for safety. Considering the estimated weight of the chassis (50lbs) and two children (around 65lbs), totaling approximately 150lbs, the question becomes: what electrical components are necessary to achieve this target performance?
Choosing the right motor, controller, and battery system is crucial for both performance and safety. A common question for DIY EV projects is determining the appropriate motor power. While a 350W motor might seem like a reasonable starting point for a small vehicle, it’s important to consider whether this is the most efficient and safe option for a kids’ electric car. Factors like torque for climbing inclines (around 10 degrees in this case) and acceleration also need to be taken into account. It’s better to opt for a setup that provides adequate power without being excessive, ensuring a smooth and controllable ride for children.
For controlling the motor, various options are available. Websites specializing in electric scooter parts offer a range of controllers and throttles that can be adapted for DIY projects. The throttle pedal shown earlier is a standard option that can work with many inexpensive controllers. When selecting a controller, features like reverse capability can be a valuable addition for maneuverability, although basic forward motion and reliable speed control are essential.
Battery selection is another key consideration. For a kids’ electric car, run time is important, but so is weight and safety. A target of 30 minutes to an hour of operation is reasonable for recreational use. Exploring cost-effective and lightweight battery options is important, and repurposing existing batteries, like PC 545 batteries, could be an option if compatible and safe for this application. It’s crucial to ensure that the batteries are appropriate for the voltage requirements of the chosen motor and controller, typically 24V in this power range.
In summary, building an Electric Car For Kids is an exciting DIY project that blends creativity, engineering, and fun. Careful consideration of the electrical system, particularly motor power, controller compatibility, and battery selection, is essential to ensure a safe, enjoyable, and functional vehicle for young drivers. By focusing on a balanced setup that prioritizes safety and appropriate performance, you can create a custom electric car that will provide hours of entertainment and learning for your children.
