Electric Vehicle Conversions
There was a time at which it appeared that swapping out an internal combustion engine (ICE)-based drivetrain with a battery, controller and electric motor might be a viable way for the world of transportation to go. About 10 years ago, Andy Grove (of Intel fame) believed that massive numbers of EV conversions were necessary to move ICE cars and light trucks off the roads, and that such work would be best suited to be performed in Mexico.
Needless to say, none of this happened. The slower-than-expected adoption rate for EVs, coupled by the declining prices and improving performance of OEM-built electrics, spelled doom for the concept.
Some folks are still at it however, like these guys, who target the off-road world. From the article: Those old-school SUVs and four-wheel-drive adventure cars are great — except for all the waste-emitting gasoline needed to fuel them on camping trips and scenic drives through nature. That’s where Australian startup Jaunt comes in, converting old vehicles like the 1971 Land Rover Series 2a into electric road trippers.
Go for it!
Craig,
I’m afraid these guys seem to have got the wrong idea on ecology and environmental preservation.
It really doesn’t matter whether the four wheel drive is powered by diesel, electric or gas, the damage is done by driving four wheel vehicles over fragile native flora.
Although the size of the Australian bush immense in some locations, is a very fragile environment for both flora and fauna.
These antiquate vehicles are dangerous, unsuitable and a pretty pointless waste of time. Elderly land rovers may look cool, but even with an aluminum body the vehicles are heavy and unsuitable as successful drones for conversion.
Nor will a c0nverted EV land Rover take you very far. The weight and unsuitability of such vehicles ensure range to be very limited. These “old school” vehicles are also exceedingly dangerous, and uncomfortable in comparison to modern traffic.
Designed without modern safety features, and now aging the vehicles are death traps, especially when equipped with batteries engineered by amateurs.