Project Logs

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• Looking for a Collaborator – 3D Modeling for Modular, Repairable EV

  Jeremy • 06/29/2025 at 00:59 • 5 comments

  I'm developing Heartland EV, a modular, open-source low-speed electric vehicle designed to be assembled, fixed, and adapted in a barn, not a dealership.

  The goal: a repairable EV platform for rural mobility that prioritizes right-to-repair, accessibility, and swappable utility modules.

  I’ve laid the groundwork—concept sketches, basic frame ideas, early design research—and now I’m looking for someone skilled in 3D modeling or CAD to help take the prototype to the next level.

  If you’re excited about designing for sustainability, real-world utility, or community-driven hardware, I’d love to collaborate. Open-source values, iterative thinking, and good vibes welcome. 

  >Click here for the Collaborator Interest Form<

• Not Just A Vehicle, But A Platform

  Jeremy • 06/27/2025 at 23:55 • 0 comments

  Project Log #1: From Idea to Action – Launching this Low-speed Electric Vehicle Project

  This is where the wheels hit the dirt.

  This project began as a simple question: Can we design an electric vehicle that doesn’t just work, but lasts, adapts, and invites you to fix it yourself? Not a sealed pod from a showroom, but a machine that could be built in a barn, repaired with a socket wrench, and shared with your neighbors.

  What’s Been Done So Far

  • Defined the Vision: A modular, repairable low-speed EV for rural roads—built around accessibility, sustainability, and the right to repair. 
  • 3D Modeling: Created an early frame prototype and multiple swappable utility kit concepts to explore modular configurations.
  • Created the Collaborator Interest Form: Here’s the link if you're curious—designed to attract values-aligned contributors. 
  • Refined Project Messaging:  From name brainstorming to clarifying tone, we've carved out a voice that blends freedom, resilience, and community-first design.

  What’s Next

  • Begin publishing early chassis sketches and component lists
  • Share progress on steering and frame material decisions
  • Engage the Hackaday community through the messaging room and the first wave of updates
  • Iterate design publicly—celebrating both breakthroughs and stumbles

  Why This Matters

  • So many vehicles are built to be disposable. This one won’t be.
  • This project is about taking mobility back into our own hands—building machines that reflect our values, support our communities, and hold the kind of dignity that doesn’t come off an assembly line.
  • If you’re into repair culture, open hardware, or building for places that most tech skips over, you’re in the right place.

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