Electric Classic Car Vendors
The number of companies offering to turn classic cars into electric vehicles continues to grow. They claim that the switch to an electric drivetrain helps future-proof the car and gives it better performance numbers. They also ensure that their conversions are reversible so the original powertrain can be reinstated at a later date if desired.
Zelectric
In 2012, a couple in San Diego started Zelectric Motors, which offers classic VW cars with an electrified powertrain. The goal is to make them more useful for the modern world while retaining their history. The company does not alter the exterior of the car, but it replaces the gas engine with a maintenance-free electric drive system.
The company’s first conversion was a 1965 Beetle dubbed the ZelectricBug, which can do 80 mph and has twice as much horsepower as the original. The company has since moved on to a Microbus and 50s-60s Porsche models, which are easier to work with because of their rear-engine layout.
As more and more people turn to electric vehicles, companies like Moment, EV West, and Zelectric are converting their classic cars into plug-ins for clients. These cars are a bit more expensive than their traditional counterparts but offer the same driving experience without a tank of gasoline and all its associated risks.
Of course, some of the fans that have spent decades—maybe even their entire lives—finding, restoring, and driving vintage cars aren’t going to be thrilled when they see their beloved rides plugged into an outlet at night. But, as time goes on, more and more enthusiasts will embrace the electrified versions of their cars—even if it means that they no longer hear that rumbling V-8.
Zero Labs
Zero Labs has developed a classic electric vehicle platform designed to seamlessly marry with customer-owned vehicles. The company calls it “the soul of the past meets a clean energy future.” It can transform traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles into EVs with up to 600 electric horsepower and 235 miles on a charge.
The company disassembles and reinforces the original body of each car, then replaces it with a new e-platform that’s ready for an upgradable battery. They also add telematics and remote diagnostics, independent front and rear suspension, DC fast charging and more. The result is a classic car that looks and drives like new, with a range that’s comparable to that of a modern show-car.
Roe’s team uses a combination of craftsmanship, engineering and design to transform classic cars into sustainable machines. The company isn’t Electric Classic Car vendors the only one doing this, with Dutch firm Voitures Extravert converting Porsche 911s and Austria’s Kreisel Electric fitting a wide range of classic cars with new powertrains.
But Zero Labs is doing it with the help of a custom modular e-platform that can fit many different classic cars. While it hasn’t yet released a list of specific models that will be compatible with the new system, Roe says it could offer more than 100 options. Zero Labs calls the process retrobution, a portmanteau of “retro” and “retribution.” The company aims to prevent classic cars from depreciating and become less sustainable as they age.
Voitures Extravert
Voitures Extravert is a Dutch company that’s transforming classic cars into eco-friendly electric alternatives. The company’s signature model is the Quintessenza, a Porsche 911 with an electric powertrain. The car is completely rebuilt but retains the look of a traditional Porsche. The company was founded in 2016 with the objective to colour the streets with iconic classic cars again.
It is a burgeoning cottage Electric Classic Car vendors industry, with firms across Europe and the United States converting fossil-fuel dinosaurs into clean electric cars. Britain’s Lunaz Group, for example, charges more than a million pounds to revive a classic Aston Martin DB6. There are also companies that offer kits for electrifying mass-market models, like the Fiat 500.
While most electric vehicle conversions involve a slapdash job of plopping a new powertrain into an old body, Voitures Extravert takes a more thorough approach. It disassembles the donor car, restores it, and then swaps in an electric drive system. The result is a modern, high-performance car that’s still recognizable as a classic.
The Quintessenza is based on an 80s Porsche 911, but can be backdated to look more like a 1960s version. It comes equipped with a 59 kWh battery and a single electric motor that delivers 672 pound-feet of torque. The company says it offers better weight distribution and a smoother ride than the standard 911.
Charge Automotive
Classic cars are getting a new lease on life thanks to electric powertrains. The latest versions of these vintage beauties can zip to the speed limit and go from 0 to 60 in less than four seconds. They also don’t require frequent pit stops or emit noxious gases. They’re a perfect blend of nostalgia and innovation.
Emr Schofield and his wife, Whitney, run a small business converting classic cars into electric vehicles. They’re hoping to attract a larger customer base as EV conversions become more common. They’ve even bought land on Brunswick Landing, a former Navy base in Texas, to set up their shop.
As more businesses join the trend, it’s clear that there is a market for transforming classic vehicles into electric models. Many of these companies are specializing in specific types of vehicles. One example is Charge Cars, a company that produces a hand-built electric Ford Mustang. The ’67 looks like it should be speeding through San Francisco with Steve McQueen behind the wheel, but it features cutting-edge technology that can take the car from zero to 60 in 3.9 seconds.
Other companies are offering more affordable electric conversion kits. They work on a range of different vehicle types and can offer a wide variety of features, including driver-selectable peak power output and selectable coast regen modes. They can also add advanced safety features, such as lane keeping assistance and forward collision warning systems.