Electric C4 Corvette - Volt Vette

Michael's garage is the Volt Vette's primary fuel station, but he's plugged it in elsewhere around town while out and about. In its current configuration, the car can cruise roughly 40 miles before draining the lead-acid batteries. Michael boasts he can travel three miles on 10 cents worth of electricity.

The Volt Vette build took place almost entirely in Michael's two-car garage. Here's the car shortly after the front battery box was installed. Photo: Michael Shoop

It's hard to believe from looking at it with the hood closed that this is what lurks beneath. The car is still a work in progress.

Michael's most recent project was the installation of an electric air conditioning unit. He doesn't want to give up the car's creature comforts.

LED taillights beam through the factory lenses to add a little bit of modern flare to the car's rear.

Behind the stock 16-inch aluminum wheels are factory brakes. The suspension is also unmodified. Michael balanced every component in the car to make it sit as close to stock as possible. It handles well and only weighs a couple hundred pounds more than its gas-powered counterparts.

Michael made a deal with his wife to build the Volt Vette for less than the cost of a new Toyota Prius. So far, he's done it and he hopes his accomplishment paves the way for more electric vehicles.

Personalized plates and a few strategically placed badges give away the car's true identity. No exhaust tips out back as exhaust plumbing is one headache Michael was able to avoid in this build. The rear end is more traditional, carrying 4.88 gears to help get things moving in a hurry.

Out with the old and in with the new-here's a comparison photo during the build comparing the car's original L98 V8 and 700R4 transmission next to the TransWarp electric motor that is now in the car. Photo: Michael Shoop