At a time when electric vehicles are steadily capturing the Indian market, an individual has captured widespread attention by building a fully functional electric car from scratch—right at home. The build was documented in a detailed video and uploaded to the popular YouTube channel Creative Etc, offering rare insight into the DIY electric car space in India. This home-built EV, described as a “Mini Electric Car,” is not just a college project or prototype—it’s a real, working machine that showcases ingenuity, resourcefulness, and mechanical skill.
Designing the DIY Electric Car from the Ground Up
What sets this project apart is its professional-grade documentation and thoughtful design approach. The builder begins by sketching a full plan for the car, including measurements and structure layout. This step ensures precision before cutting and welding begins.
The chassis is constructed from 2-inch rectangular metal bars—cut, welded, and aligned with high accuracy. For the upper framework or “top hat,” 1-inch iron pipes are used. These are bent and welded to shape the roof and structural skeleton. This setup forms the foundation of a compact yet road-ready electric vehicle.
In terms of size, the vehicle measures 90 inches in length and 30 inches in width, with a ground clearance of 7 inches and an overall height of 58 inches. This makes it slightly larger than a standard e-rickshaw, but smaller than traditional compact cars, ideal for tight urban roads and short commutes.
Custom Suspension and Wheel Setup
Suspension is a key consideration for any vehicle, especially a custom build. This home-built EV employs four shock absorbers taken from a Hero Glamour motorcycle, one at each wheel. This setup offers decent ride quality for urban roads.
The car rides on 12-inch electric rickshaw wheels, which come equipped with low-resistance tires to improve efficiency. The rear differential, critical for driving the rear axle, is also borrowed from an electric rickshaw, integrating seamlessly with the overall lightweight chassis and powertrain setup.
Powertrain: 1000W BLDC Motor and Advanced Control Unit
The vehicle is powered by a 1000W Brushless Direct Current (BLDC) motor, sourced from E-MAXX. This motor powers the rear axle and is mated to a dedicated controller, also from E-MAXX. The controller—or Motor Control Unit (MCU)—regulates power delivery from the battery to the motor.
In technical terms, the MCU ensures that the DC power from the 60V lithium-ion battery is efficiently utilized, translating the driver’s throttle input into real-time torque and speed. The MCU also governs direction and potentially regenerative braking, though it’s unclear whether this specific build supports regen.
Such systems are standard in commercial EVs but seeing them implemented correctly in a home-built setup shows the technical proficiency of the builder.
Salvaged Yet Smart Interior Choices
Despite being built from recycled and repurposed components, the interior doesn’t look rough or incomplete. The builder sources seats from an old car and adds customized cushioning and premium upholstery. The end result is surprisingly refined and offers ergonomic support for two adult occupants.
The vehicle also includes a universal sports steering wheel and a reused steering column, which provides responsive input and integrates seamlessly into the homemade dashboard.
Perhaps most impressively, the car includes a 5-inch reverse parking camera, adding a layer of safety and convenience rarely found in even entry-level electric scooters.
The instrument cluster is a fully digital unit that displays essential vehicle information, including speed, battery level, and operational status. To top it off, a single large windshield wiper has been added for wet-weather usability.
Battery and Range Expectations
The EV runs on a 60V lithium-ion battery pack, but specific range figures, charging times, and top speed data have not been revealed. Based on similar setups, such a battery could offer anywhere between 40–60 kilometers of range on a single charge under average urban driving conditions.
Charging would typically take 4–6 hours using a standard home socket unless a fast-charging module is installed.
What This Build Represents for India’s EV Culture
This DIY electric car project is more than just a technical accomplishment—it’s a reflection of India’s growing grassroots innovation in the electric mobility space. While large automakers focus on commercial scalability, individuals like this builder demonstrate that sustainable transport solutions can be designed and assembled outside formal R&D labs.
Such projects not only showcase personal talent but also highlight the potential for affordable, self-built electric vehicles in the Indian mobility landscape, especially in smaller towns and rural areas.
Conclusion: A Small Build with Big Impact
The home-built electric car featured on Creative Etc is not just a technical marvel but a symbol of self-reliance and sustainable ambition. It successfully brings together reclaimed parts, engineering insight, and an eye for design to produce a functional and attractive urban EV.
As India pushes forward with its electrification goals, innovations like this serve as reminders that some of the most meaningful progress can start from a simple garage. The project inspires budding engineers, tinkerers, and sustainability enthusiasts to experiment, build, and share—because in the EV revolution, every spark counts.