The build log
Every step, written down.
Hardware, firmware, and the occasional dead end from converting a 1961 VW Beetle to a Nissan Leaf-powered EV.
Latest
2026-05-18 · 3 min
Two years and a static site generator
An overdue update on the project — and an explanation for why the build log has been quiet for the better part of two years.
The safety concept
A short tour of how the Aphid is designed to fail safely — two redundant channels, one shared safe state, and a hard rule that no single fault is ever invisible.
The Aphid project
Kicking off an EV conversion of a 1961 VW Beetle using a Nissan Leaf drivetrain — and explaining where the name comes from.