Converting ICE vehicles to EVs

Hi @NRMA_Dave. @PeterCa has done a conversion. I would say that conversions make sense for classic cars that you want to future proof, but in general, taking an older car (with no mod cons and questionable safety standards) and converting it to electric is not going to be as cost effective as just buying a second-hand EV.

I converted a Daihatsu charade to electric drive back in 2009. I drove it till 2018, when I sold it still running well. I don't regret it and think I did a pretty good job of it and it was a fun car to drive and better as an EV than it was as an ICE vehicle but I would not bother now unless you really want a substantial project. It would cost as much to do as buying a used Leaf or iMiEV and it would be difficult to get more than local range without cost blowouts. I'd save up a bit more and get a used Hyundai Ioniq, 28 or 38kWh for a much better car. As Ben says, only bother now if keeping something interesting or classic on the road. I did the conversion because there was no car I could buy and even a few years later there was nothing under $50K when my conversion cost $20K. 

As someone who has been involved with increasing performance on ICE vehicles I was somewhat terrified at the thought of a beetle with a Tesla engine. I'd never add significant power without also improving brakes and structural rigidity. Here you're also adding mass, and as it's not purpose built, you're also raising the CoG with those batteries quite high.

Having said that I'd love to see a Citroën DS conversion.

I'm sure there are plenty of valid applications and suitable donor cars.