Automakers may be gearing up to launch full lineups of electric vehicles, but some environmentally conscious people and businesses aren't waiting around. Instead they're going green by converting their old gasoline engine-powered cars.
The total cost for conversion can be limited to ¥1 million to ¥1.5 million per car if lead batteries are used instead of costly lithium-ion batteries, said Naotsugu Mihori, a member of the Japan Electric Vehicle Club.
Converted electric vehicles can run legally on public streets if they pass the transport ministry's mandatory safety checks.