An EV conversion on a vintage vehicle can be a worthwhile investment for enthusiasts who are interested in reducing their environmental impact, increasing reliability and performance, and reducing long-term maintenance costs. However, it's important to carefully consider the costs and potential downsides of the conversion before proceeding.

What is an EV Conversion?

A battery electric vehicle (BEV) conversion on a vintage vehicle involves replacing the internal combustion engine with an electric motor and battery system. This process typically involves removing the engine, transmission, and fuel system and replacing them with an electric motor, motor controller, battery pack, associated wiring, controls and gauges. The specifics of the conversion process will depend on the make and model of the vehicle and the components used in the conversion.

Is an EV Conversion for me?

You really need to know what you’re getting into and set your expectations for the end result. An EV conversion will be less efficient than any new battery electric vehicle on the market, it’s just not possible to take an old vehicle, change the powertrain and expect it to perform like a brand new vehicle. However, it can be a great way to replace and upgrade an old worn out or antiquated engine, whether it's a carbureted gasoline engine that smells of raw fuel and needs constant maintenance and tuning or a smokey diesel that's overdue for a major overhaul. An EV powertrain conversion typically costs as much or more than buying a new car, but it is also a great way to repower and revitalize your classic Land Rover.

Whether an EV conversion on a vintage vehicle is worth it will depend on a variety of factors, including the cost of the conversion, the cost of the donor vehicle, the condition of the donor vehicle, and the intended use of the converted vehicle.

Advantages:

Reduced environmental impact - EVs produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions and are generally more energy-efficient than internal combustion engine vehicles.
Reduced maintenance costs - EVs have fewer moving parts than internal combustion engine vehicles, which can lead to lower maintenance costs over time.
Increased reliability - EVs have fewer parts that can fail versus internal combustion engine vehicles, which can lead to increased reliability and fewer breakdowns.
Increased performance - EVs can provide instant torque and smoother acceleration versus internal combustion engine vehicles.

Disadvantages:

Cost - EV conversions can be expensive, particularly if high-quality components are used and extensive R&D has been completed to ensure a reliable and functional package.
Range - The range of an EV conversion on a vintage vehicle may be limited by the size of the battery pack and other factors.
Weight - EV components, specifically the batteries, can add significant weight to a vehicle, which can affect handling and performance.
Originality - Some enthusiasts may prefer to keep their vintage vehicle in its original state, which may make an EV conversion undesirable.

WHY WE DOn’t have an off the shelf turn KEY solution?

We have been following along and making enquiries with EV conversion experts and kit manufacturers for several years now. Back in 2024 we landed with Fellton, who are world leaders in EV technology, battery packs and driveline conversion kits for classic vehicles. I even made the trip to SEMA in Las Vegas in the Fall of 2024 to meet with Chris from Fellton and the experts at Legacy EV directly. After months of back and forth and researching, what we found is the EV conversion technology is changing so fast, even Fellton was still making major updates and changes to their drivetrain along the way. Another major hurdle is pricing. The cost of an EV conversion is wildly dependant on the quality and R&D and completeness of any “kit” on offer.

Why should I come to Rovalution for an EV COnversion?

The biggest struggle EV conversion manufacturers have is sending there kit out to installers who are not familiar with Land Rovers. They end up trying to solve problems that are vehicle specific and have nothing to do with their kit. There may be a lot of EV conversion specialists out there, but they don’t know and love Land Rovers like we do! At Rovalution Automotive, we are Land Rover experts situated in North Vancouver, BC, Canada. We live and breathe the Land Rover brand servicing and upgrading our clients vehicles by day and enjoying our own fleet of Land Rovers after hours. We are passionate about what we do and driven to provide functional and reliable services to the Land Rover community.

If you are serious about an EV conversion for your Land Rover, give us a call to discuss.

CONSIDERING AN EV CONVERSION FOR YOUR LAND ROVER?