# El auto de combustión transformado a eléctrico | Santiago Ochoa | TEDxParque La Carolina Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4xwHHV6V4M Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/d4xwHHV6V4M Generated: 2026-02-06T17:44:42.751+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview Santiago Ochoa shares the valuable lessons learned from his three-year project of converting a 1960s Volkswagen Beetle (Escarabajo) 1200 cc from combustion to electric power, emphasizing that the most significant outcome was personal transformation and a change in perspective regarding goals, rather than just the technical success of the vehicle. **Key Points:** - The speaker converted a 1960s Volkswagen Beetle 1200 cc from gasoline combustion to electric power over a three-year period starting in 2015. - The conversion involved replacing the engine with an electric motor, using 12 deep-cycle batteries totaling 72V, and upgrading components like the charger and paintwork. - The project cost approximately $21,000, covering parts and services from various workshops, including specialized automotive and electrical shops. - A major challenge was the administrative process of homologation (registration) for the converted vehicle, as only the original vehicle owner could apply, not external workshops. - The speaker found that the most valuable outcome was not the technical success of the car, but the personal growth and the way the project changed his perspective on achieving goals. - He notes that the electric Beetle, despite the challenges, performed well, even in the steep terrain of Quito, although he occasionally needed assistance if the battery charge was insufficient. - He now primarily uses a bicycle for daily transportation, highlighting a shift in his personal mobility priorities. ![Screenshot at 00:18: The title slide introduces the speaker, Santiago David Ochoa, and the talk's theme: 'El auto de combustión transformado a eléctrico en las alturas de Quito' \(The combustion car transformed to electric in the heights of Quito\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xwHHV6V4M/00-00-18.jpg) **Context:** Santiago David Ochoa presents his experience at TEDxParque La Carolina regarding the ambitious personal project of converting a classic 1960s Volkswagen Beetle (Escarabajo 1200 cc) into an electric vehicle. This presentation details the technical challenges, the financial investment, and the surprising personal lessons learned from undertaking such a complex, self-driven engineering endeavor in a regulatory environment not yet fully prepared for such conversions. ## Detailed Analysis Santiago Ochoa recounts his journey starting in 2015 to convert his Volkswagen Beetle 1200 cc to electric power, a process that took three years and cost around $21,000. He initially wanted to change the world but focused on this personal project, viewing the car as an extension of himself. The conversion involved installing an electric motor, 12 deep-cycle batteries providing 72V, and replacing various components like the engine, transmission, and even the paint. He consulted with various specialized workshops for technical execution, including painting and electronics. A significant hurdle was the regulatory process; only the vehicle owner could apply for homologation, not the workshop that performed the conversion. Although the final electric vehicle functioned well—even handling the hilly terrain of Quito—the speaker realized the most profound result was personal growth rather than just the technical achievement. He discovered that the process taught him how to approach goals through iteration and focused effort. Ironically, after completing the project, he now relies more on his bicycle for daily commuting, suggesting a shift in his priorities away from car dependency. ### Project Genesis and Scope - Speaker began the conversion in 2015; the vehicle was a VW Escarabajo 1200 cc; the goal was to prove electric conversion was possible in Quito's high altitude and hilly environment. ### Technical Conversion Details - The project involved replacing the combustion engine with an electric motor and utilizing 12 deep-cycle batteries for a 72V system; the total cost reached approximately $21,000 for parts and labor. ### Challenges Encountered - The main difficulties included navigating regulatory hurdles (homologation required the owner to apply, not the garage) and dealing with technical issues like insufficient battery range on steep inclines. ### Key Learning - The most valuable lesson was personal transformation and learning to focus on the process (iteration) rather than just achieving the initial goal, which led to a shift in his personal mobility habits (now favoring a bicycle). ### Conclusion - Despite the difficulties, the project was a success, demonstrating the viability of electric conversion and yielding significant personal insights. ![Screenshot at 00:10: Slide showing sponsors for TEDxParque La Carolina, including Fundación Openlab, CIESPAL, Salesiana, START-UPS, START-LABS, ZOI, Mall El Jardín, IMPAQTO, GK, and startupgrind.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xwHHV6V4M/00-00-10.jpg) ![Screenshot at 00:23: Speaker \(Santiago David Ochoa\) standing on stage in front of large red TEDx letters, with the event theme 'Primeras Veces' displayed on the screen behind him.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xwHHV6V4M/00-00-23.jpg) ![Screenshot at 03:56: Slide displaying before-and-after images of the conversion: the original VW Escarabajo 1200 cc, the removed engine, and the final setup with 12 70V batteries.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xwHHV6V4M/00-03-56.jpg) ![Screenshot at 08:48: Speaker gesturing while discussing his experience, with the large red TEDx letters visible on stage.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xwHHV6V4M/00-08-48.jpg) ![Screenshot at 11:49: The final slide shows the title 'Lo que aprendí al transformar mi auto a eléctrico' and the speaker's name, summarizing the talk's core subject.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/d4xwHHV6V4M/00-11-49.jpg)