Converting to classic electric cars is becoming increasingly popular as owners of older cars decide to remove the internal combustion engine and replace it with a more modern, electric powertrain that future-proofs their beloved vehicles against future laws or tax changes and fuel availability issues.
Even Prince Harry had an electric Jaguar E-Type – the E-Type Zero – as a wedding car, so they have to prevail. While the cost of converting a car to electric drive is likely a small royalty, it is no small factor for the rest of us. There is no getting around the fact that the conversions are currently quite time-consuming, especially with rarer classic cars.
Proponents of EV retrofits say they get rid of the unreliable, smelly, and noisy engines in old cars and let us appreciate their looks in a reliable, near-silent atmosphere. Electric motors even from modest family cars like the Nissan Leaf offer more power than old gasoline-powered vehicles could hope for.
However, critics say the process robs classic cars of some of their heritage and identity. The car was noisy, smelly, and unreliable when new, and that’s fun to own. Classic car fans are also known for their love of tinkering with engines, although it is clear that these types of owners simply do not allow this type of conversion to be carried out.
The question also arises as to whether a classic car is still the same classic car after the petrol-powered interior has been expanded, and how such a step affects its value. Ultimately, however, it is mainly a matter of taste if you have the money and you want a classic electric car, why not?
Classic electric car kits
If you can’t quite reach for a classic off the shelf electric car that is made by one of the many companies that make these models in limited numbers, there are other companies that offer electric car conversion kits that can convert an entire range of vehicles with internal combustion engines that can run on electricity at home.
It’s still not an endeavor for the faint of heart or the inexperienced, but it’s an option you might want to explore. Basic kits can start from as little as £ 6,000 and we would certainly recommend hiring a skilled mechanic for you if you have any doubts, have no knowledge, or work with high voltage electrical systems. After completing the conversion, you must follow the DVLA’s procedure for registering “radically modified vehicles” before you can use them in road traffic.
Best classic classic electric car conversions
Lunaz
Lunaz is a Silverstone-based company that makes high quality EV conversions. Its best-known model is a Jaguar XK120, which, thanks to its 80 kWh battery and motor, generates 375 hp and 700 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km / h in five seconds and has a range of 250 miles. Lunaz also makes a limited edition of the 1955-65 Bentley Continental Coupe and Drophead, the Mulliner Flying Spur and the classic Rolls-Royce.
Prices for one of Lunaz’s cars start at £ 350,000, but despite this barrier to entry, Lunaz has seen a surge in demand lately and is doubling its workforce at Silverstone to cover that.
Classic electric car
Electric Classic Cars is based in Newtown, Powys and converts all types of classic cars to electric drive. Each project is considered on a case-by-case basis, so their construction is often bespoke and includes some aspects of restoration to ensure that the car can handle a modern powertrain. Examples of cars converted by the company include a Porsche 911, Fiat 500, Volkswagen Beetle, and even a DeLorean.
Zero EV
Zero EV is a company that does not actually offer conversions in a workshop, but conversion kits that can convert Mazda MX-5, Porsche 911 and Mercedes SL to electric. Prices range from £ 15,000 to £ 65,000 and, for example, the 911 kit includes an engine from the www.autoexpress.co.uk/Tesla Model S – making it even better than the original petrol engine in these sports cars.
Swindon powertrain
Swindon Powertrain started with internal combustion engines, but now offers an electric car powertrain that can be configured for use in a variety of classic cars. It demonstrated the technology with the Swind E Classic Mini. This is an original electric mini and best of all, you don’t have to change the body for the conversion. This means that an engine can be reinstalled at a later point in time if necessary.
RBW MGB
The RBW MGB is a reinvention of one of the UK’s most popular classic sports cars. It has a range of about 160 miles and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in nine seconds. You can also add an extra battery to increase range, and it’s available for both convertible and hardtop MGBs – although this isn’t really a conversion and is more of a brand new car as it is custom built on new bodies Suspension and other parts.
2CEV
The 2CEV is a new take on the classic Citroen 2CV from a company called The 2CV Shop based in Wiltshire. It is designed to mimic the character of the original, but with modern, reliable and near-silent performance. It has a range of around 65 miles and the cost to convert is around £ 16,400, or you can buy a finished car for £ 29,000.
Large manufacturers that offer EV retrofits
Even the companies that originally produced some of our most popular classic cars are now offering electric versions. Aston Martin has produced an electric DB6 and Jaguar has the E-Type Zero, which was made from parts of the brand’s I-Pace electric car. Even Volkswagen has officially supported a company called eClassics, which converts classic VW motorhomes to electric drives. You can bet that more automakers will see the chance to showcase the electric versions of their classics in terms of marketing and sales.
How do classic electric car conversions work?
The principle of converting a vintage car to electricity is to replace the engine and drivetrain with an engine (or motors) and a battery pack, although approaches to this are different. Some companies commission tailor-made drivetrains and ensure that every modification is completely reversible so that the engine and the associated drivetrain can be used again if desired.
However, converting a classic car to electricity is not an easy task. A conventional engine replacement is also a complex process, and installing a completely different drive train takes this to another level. Engine mounts need to be made, reinforcement materials are needed to allow the chassis to support the extra weight of the batteries, while suspension and other components need to be modified to accommodate the changed drivability due to the shift in weight caused by removing an engine and installing a battery pack.
The brakes will likely require an increase in power to facilitate regenerative braking and handle the extra power and torque; Ancillary units such as lights, heating, air conditioning and power steering have to be adapted so that they draw power from the batteries instead of the engine. And all of this work must be done by someone who is familiar with both the technology involved and high-voltage electrical systems.
Have you ever thought about converting an electric car? Let us know in the comments …
