Firm to convert cars to electric power

BLUE ASH, Ohio, May 23 (UPI) -- A suburban Cincinnati company plans to convert gasoline-burning cars to electric power and sell them for under $50,000, the company's president said.

Advanced Mechanical Products Inc., or AMP, plans to complete its first prototype by year's end and begin production next year Jack Kuntz said.

AMP plans to take existing Saturn Corp. models -- including its four-door sedans and small sport utility vehicles -- and replace their internal-combustion engines with electric motors, batteries and computer technology, he said.

The converted cars will accelerate from zero to 60 in about six seconds and travel 150 miles before needing to be recharged, co-founder Steve Burns said. The cars will be rechargeable by plugging a cord into a standard 110-volt outlet, he said.

Kuntz estimated the cars would sell for under $50,000, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

AMP plans to make 300 electric cars next year and initially sell them in the Cincinnati and northern Kentucky area.