Open Source Electric Car: The Complete Guide to Building Your Own EV
A build-your-own EV platform with full documentation, CAD files, and electrical schematics. Everything you need to assemble or customize a complete electric vehicle.
Olympian Motors Team
Published Mar 7, 2025
An open source electric car represents a fundamental shift in how vehicles are designed, built, and owned. Instead of buying a sealed product from a manufacturer, you get access to everything: the blueprints, the software, the electrical diagrams, and the freedom to modify any part of it.
What Is an Open Source Electric Car?
An open source electric car is more than just a vehicle. It is a complete framework that gives you access to all the technical information needed to build, modify, or repair an electric vehicle yourself. This includes detailed CAD files for every mechanical component, electrical schematics for the entire power system, software source code for the vehicle computer, and comprehensive assembly documentation.
Traditional automakers treat their vehicles as black boxes. You buy the car, but you never truly own the knowledge behind it. Open source changes this completely. You get the same level of technical detail that engineers use to design the vehicle in the first place.
The Core Principles
- Transparency: Every design decision is documented and accessible
- Repairability: You can fix anything because you have all the documentation
- Customization: Modify the platform to fit your exact requirements
- Community: Builders share improvements and innovations
- Longevity: The vehicle can be maintained indefinitely with full documentation
See the Open Source Platform in Action
Why Open Source Matters for EVs
The automotive industry has operated on secrecy for over a century. Proprietary designs, locked software, and dealer-only repairs have created a system where car owners are dependent on manufacturers for everything. Open source electric cars break this model entirely.
Independence from Manufacturers
When you have complete documentation, you are not dependent on a single company for parts or repairs. Components can be sourced from multiple suppliers. Local machine shops can fabricate replacement parts using the CAD files. This independence becomes critical as vehicles age and original manufacturers discontinue support.
Accelerated Innovation
Open source projects benefit from collective intelligence. When hundreds of builders work with the same platform, improvements happen faster. Someone discovers a better cooling solution and shares it. Another builder develops a more efficient motor controller. These innovations flow back to everyone using the platform.
Lower Costs Through Transparency
Proprietary parts carry massive markups because alternatives do not exist. Open source documentation allows competitive manufacturing. Multiple suppliers can produce the same component, driving prices down through competition rather than monopoly.
Documentation and CAD Files
Comprehensive documentation separates a true open source platform from a simple kit. The Olympus platform includes complete 3D CAD models of every component, detailed assembly drawings with tolerances and specifications, bill of materials with part numbers and supplier options, and step-by-step assembly instructions with photographs.
What You Get Access To
- Chassis CAD Files: Complete 3D models of the frame, suspension mounts, and structural components
- Battery Pack Design: Module layouts, cooling system routing, and enclosure specifications
- Drivetrain Assembly: Motor mounting, transmission integration, and axle configurations
- Body Mount Points: Standard interfaces for attaching any body design
- Wiring Harness Diagrams: Every connector, wire gauge, and routing path
Electrical Schematics
The electrical system of an electric vehicle is complex. High voltage battery packs, motor controllers, DC-DC converters, charging systems, and safety interlocks all need to work together perfectly. Open source schematics give you complete visibility into how everything connects.
High Voltage System
The high voltage architecture includes battery pack configuration and cell balancing, main contactor sequencing and precharge circuits, motor controller connections and cooling integration, DC fast charging interface and communication protocols, and emergency disconnect and safety interlock systems.
Low Voltage System
The 12V system powers everything else: vehicle computer and display systems, lighting and signaling, HVAC controls and cabin comfort, sensors and monitoring equipment, and auxiliary systems like power steering and brakes.
Communication Networks
Modern EVs use CAN bus networks for component communication. Open documentation includes message definitions, timing requirements, and diagnostic protocols. This allows custom software development and third-party system integration.
Assembly Process
Building an open source electric car follows a structured process. The platform arrives as a complete rolling chassis with all major systems installed. From there, you add body panels, interior components, and any customizations.
Phase 1: Platform Preparation
Inspect the chassis and verify all components against the documentation. Connect diagnostic equipment and run system checks. The platform should drive under its own power at this stage.
Phase 2: Body Integration
Mount your body design using the documented attachment points. Route any additional wiring for lights, doors, and accessories. Install glass, seals, and exterior trim.
Phase 3: Interior Completion
Install seats, dashboard components, and interior panels. Connect HVAC ducting and cabin controls. Complete final wiring for accessories and entertainment systems.
Phase 4: Testing and Calibration
Perform full system diagnostics. Calibrate steering and brake systems. Test all safety features. Complete road testing and final adjustments.
Customization Options
Open source means unlimited customization. Unlike traditional vehicles where modifications void warranties and create compatibility issues, the open platform is designed for modification.
Body Styles
Truck, van, sedan, custom
Battery Sizes
42 to 72 kWh options
Motor Configs
Single or dual motor
Wheelbase
Adjustable length
Software
Fully programmable
Autonomous
Self-driving ready
The Olympus Open Platform
The Olympus Kit represents the most complete open source electric vehicle platform available today. It combines production-ready hardware with comprehensive documentation, giving you everything needed to build a fully functional electric vehicle.
Platform Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
What does open source mean for an electric car?▼
Open source means you receive complete documentation including CAD files, electrical schematics, and assembly instructions. You can build, modify, repair, and improve the vehicle using this information. Nothing is hidden or proprietary.
Do I need engineering experience to build an open source EV?▼
The Olympus platform arrives as a complete rolling chassis. Basic mechanical skills are sufficient for body integration. The documentation is detailed enough for motivated builders without formal engineering training.
Can I manufacture parts myself using the CAD files?▼
Yes. The CAD files include full specifications and tolerances. You can manufacture replacement parts, modifications, or entirely new components using the documentation provided.
Is the software also open source?▼
The vehicle control system uses documented CAN bus protocols. You can develop custom software, integrate autonomous systems, or modify vehicle behavior through the standard interfaces.
How does this compare to buying a traditional EV?▼
Traditional EVs are closed systems. You cannot access technical documentation, manufacture parts, or make significant modifications. Open source gives you complete ownership and control over your vehicle.
Start Building Your Open Source Electric Car
The Olympus Kit is the most accessible entry point into open source electric vehicle building. You get a production-ready platform with complete documentation, ready for your custom body design or commercial application. Whether you are building a single vehicle or starting a small manufacturing operation, the open source approach gives you the freedom and knowledge to succeed.
Ready to Build Your Open Source Electric Vehicle?
Get the complete Olympus Kit with full documentation, CAD files, and electrical schematics. Start your open source EV project today.
Configure Your Platform