The demand for electric cars has been small but vocal for a number of years. Since major automakers are only now beginning to fill that demand with hybrid and electric vehicles, many people have gone down the path of converting vehicles to electric on their own.

The first step in the process of converting a car from gas to electric is to get the car you want to convert. This might seem simple, but there are a few important things to consider when you choose your car that will make the rest of the process easier.

First and foremost amongst your decisions are shape and weight. Whatever car you choose, you should try to ensure that it is light while still being secure and safe. There are many factors, from temperature to road conditions that affect your energy efficiency and are beyond your control. However, the weight of your car is something you can control. Aerodynamics are also something you can control, so be sure to pick something that won’t waste a lot of energy fighting wind resistance.

Secondly, you should consider the age of your car and the ease in finding replacement parts. Even common cars can become difficult to find replacement parts for when they are a decade or more old. If you’re going through the trouble to convert your car to electric, be sure to choose a car that will be easy and convenient to repair as necessary.

Third, we come to the question of quality. Just because you can get a cheap “donor car” doesn’t mean it will make a good electric car. Also, if you wouldn’t want to drive it as a gas car, why would you spend the time and money to convert it to electric? Also, why convert it if it’s a rustbucket?

Lastly, you need to have a car that can support the batteries necessary to run an electric vehicle while keeping them accessible.

So, you’ve got some guidelines on how to choose a car to start with. Most of all, be sure to search the web and ask for assistance. The electric car community is a very supportive one, and many people are willing to share (or already have shared in online posts) their experience with converting different model types.