Please, please, please start selling these kits to the public. ECD in the US are only interested in doing $250k builds and have no interest in doing swaps for the everyday average folk. I would love to do this conversion myself!
I agree. I reached out to ECD and they have so many orders for special builds and won’t convert existing Defenders. Please offer the kits to other businesses in US that will. Great work and amazing product.
@@karlspena Me too. Disco 1 kits for diy please. A kit with a bit less motor power. Not everyone 4x4 needs 3.5sec 0-60 in fact is often better a little less power. 150kw is fine I think. will go further too maybe.
Agreed… the home builder is the way of the future really. It’s incredibly wasteful to toss a rig who’s only fault it it’s power source onto the scrap heap. Better to upgrade for sure.
Wouldn't mind a conversion in my 70 series landcruiser and a way of charging it direct from my solar system! One thing that puts me off cars like Tesla is the mind boggling amount of electronic controls and would love something a little more basic
Excellent, just excellent. I hope in time you can also come up with a similar packaged system using a less powerful motor that wouldn't need upgraded axles? Although less exciting it would make it more affordable, and possibly yield a better range from same size batteries?
@@ElectricClassicCars Does Tesla sell their motor/transaxles on their own or do you obtain them from salvaged cars? If not, Tesla would behoove themselves to do just that at some point in the future.
Even if you didn't use a Model 3 motor, it's easy to electronically "de-tune" the power output. I put these same components into a 1997 Jeep Wrangler. I still have the factory axles and if I were to run full power they would break for sure. I have it "de-tuned" to about 300kW and so far so good.
@@MiniLuv-1984 That seems likely, especially with the state of the world as it is right now. Maybe at some point in the near future they could offer it as a crate motor kit either to manufacturers who would like to build or convert their own cars but don't have the resources to do that part of development, or to end users who may just want to update their 1964 Ford Econoline...
If you want more business in Australia you need to look at conversions for Toyota Hilux, LandCruiser 80 series, 100 series, 76 series and 79 series, as well as their Nissan Patrol counterparts. Those are the main 4WDs in Australia particularly in industry where the money for mass conversions is. Doing those models you also pick up most of the UAE as well.
Suzuki Samurai or similar SJ model. As the owner of one the small size and limited weight would make it a rocket ship with a much smaller electric setup whilst keeping its Land Rover embarrassing capabilities 💪🙌
FJ40, FJ45, BJ42 etc should allow for a similar design strategy with the 60/40 battery split. If lucky, the same kit with some modified mounts might even fit.
FZJ80 to an EV would be a dream. Might even be worth the recent price hike. Interested to know how one knitted out for greenlaning/long camping trips would fare in the UK. All the bumpers and weight might be a problem 🤔
Completely agree; have two Land Cruiser 100 Series in Sri Lanka, and it makes complete sense to convert these as car import duty is 100-300% (when they're allowed again!). Similar story in much of Asia.
I absolutely enjoyed the simplicity of the kit. I own a Toyota Land Cruiser 100 (Amazon in the UK) and I was hoping to convert it to electric. I live in a country where on gallon of petrol is £5.34...pure madness. I would love to see how it is done. Well done team!
What is the fascination with bonkers 0-60mph times for electric car people? A set-up to provide ample performance (0-60mph in 10s & 90mph) and an ability to tow 3500kgs would surely be better for a Defender.
I think the Jeep Cherokee Xj would be a great EV conversion. It has a light, uni body shell, but probably still has space in the tunnel for that motor pack. They're still pretty cheap to buy a donor vehicle. Or a Toyota Fj40. I have one of each, so then I'd just have to decide which one to convert!
I would love to see you develop kits for Jeep Wrangler TJs. I have a 1997 Jeep Wrangler, the first vehicle I purchased myself, that I keep in storage and pull out every so often to joy ride around in. If I could convert it to electric, I would use it as my daily driver again.
I started a conversion of a 99 Jeep Wrangler couple months ago, it is not done yet, but we are on our way 😊 I share everything on my RU-vid channel Electrified Veronika. We might start working on a conversion kit once there is more demand for it. It is a fun thing to do, lot's of learnings on the way!
Unfortunately I see most of that population not having the money to make the conversion kit worth developing. This conversion kit is not cheap, so selling it to people driving around Jeeps not even worth the cost of this conversion kit wouldn't make much sense for the company. Now, if they could make it work on all Wranglers then maybe. But, even then that's a population driving around relatively cheap cars compared to say a Defender, Porsche, or some of these other higher-dollar vehicles they've converted
I'd buy that kit in a heartbeat to DIY my Disco 2, and happily sign whatever safety waivers you need. While I wait for that, or a discovery-specific kit, thanks for detailing the components!
In theory, it wouldn't be too hard to adapt that to fit a D2, Just the chassis mounts to fabricate. I think they convert the Defenders to an electric handbrake working on the rear axle. The dials etc for the dash would probably be the challenge.
@@hughmarcus1 The D2 architecture is close to a P38 than a Defender, like the D1 is a classic Range Rover, so in principle two minorly different kits would cover several other production runs. The issue is though fooling all of the later ones into thinking there is an engine in it and it is running, lots of things rely on a signal saying it
Great breakdown, makes me miss my old defender. I’m a Patrol (Y61) owner now, you did ask what other 4x4’s should you consider - my heart says a Patrol or Land Cruiser 80 series but I think my head says you’d get more business doing more land rover models E.g. 90’s and 00’s discoveries are very popular on the trails.
How about a Mitsubishi Pajero mk2 91 to 99 model. There are a lot of these still around with great enthusiasts and lovers. A big community out there. But the price should also be affordable and made available to the public on a DIY purpose with your support of course.
@@MrAdopado hyper 9 motor + 6 tesla modules 30kwh is 14.000€ with full conversation kit (charger, pedal etc) So about 11.800£, he is not that far off. Less than 10k? If you source some components yourself. As a kit? No.
@@DuBstep115 The price that a company has to charge is far more than the price of the basic components. I don't doubt that an individual with the skills, time and resources to develop and instal their own EV conversion could do it for around 10,000 but that's not what we're talking about.
Yes a conversion for the L322 Range Rovers would be perfect. The V8 s are just thirsty and uneconomical to fix… the actual cars themselves are amazing and will be a future classic… just need an electric drivetrain !
@@greenernick a Diesel engine is very reliable, you can use them over and over again, as long as they get oil, they can keep going. That’s the opposite of a electric car, within 5 years your battery is running out of life, NEW ONE! After a short while the electric motor starts to have trouble NEW ONE! If people want to create cars that are good for the atmosphere, they need to make them simple, not from 0 to 60 in 2,3 seconds. No electric windows, not a big display.
Sounds interesting. Do you have this available in Thailand? I only know here one conversion shop. And would you have it soon available for private installations (not through partner) as I can imagine in many countries you will not have a partner.
to answer your question...the obvious candidate is the AUDI TT ! AWD CHEAP AND PLENTIFUL IN SUPPLY, FROM £1K (MK1) CHARACTERLESS ORIGINAL 4 CYL WOULDNT BE MISSED RUGGED DRIVE TRAIN Target: Budget Touring Kit: 200 ml+ summer range - 0-60 sub 6 secs Performance Kit: 300 ml summer range - 0-60 c. 3.5 secs (quicker is simply too dangerous for public roads) Kits need to be ultra comprehensive and simple to install at affordable pricing - thats where the challenge is :) Components really need careful sourcing (China?) so the kits can be sold in volume....which in turn will help in reducing the price further
@Electric Classic Cars - The Landrover Discovery 3 and 4 would be fantastic candidates for conversion in the UK due to the number of them that have had crank failure in the SDV6. Have you got a kit for this or any plans for one?
I'm a Dutch car mechanic and i have my past my EV/hybride certification exams. So I'm allowed to work on the complete EV systems. Also I'm a offroader with passion for Suzuki samurai/Vitara mk1 and also landcruiser LJ70 I have many of the Suzuki 4x4's ans really like to make one electric. Also an electric offroader but don't forget with offroading mud and water is coming everywhere Maybe my 90's landcruiser for the road. Ore my family car mk1 Vitara villagers 5doors. And for the offroading a home built buggy (i have allready 2 Buggy's on diesel and gasoline)
I looked up the price. It said ECD starting Defender is $179,995. I personally would prefer it if you found something cheaper to build the kit with than a Tesla motor. Tesla are already over priced. No one needs a 4x4 to do 3.5 seconds. I still need the range and electric. Would be nice to have an option to go electric on my FJ-60 once the parts are gone I had a Nissan Leaf once, it was zippy enough. The range on it sucked for me as it was half way through the battery life so I got rid of it. Plenty of those. Maybe make a kit with a "decent" battery", preferable once that can by DIY restored or would not cost $$$ to replace. A Nissan Leaf engine or similar. Nice work unrelated. Keep it up.
Would love to see a kit for owners / general public for Jeep Wranglers! I own a YJ and would definitely go for a conversion kit that I could do myself over a few weeks to months.
ONLY two problems; ANYTHING 'electric' is an oxymoron in a Rover (and I have owned a 90 and a 110), electrical problems are DESIGNED into the them. 2) is they do not have IC motors how can they 'mark their territories' (LEAK OIL), there is LAW that ALL rovers MUST leak at all times!
If I were you I’d be looking at some Jeep Wrangler conversions, world wide the Wrangler has sold in numbers that greatly overshadow the Defender. Other obvious choices might be Series 70 Land Cruisers, which again are massively common around the world. And finally anything that replaces a Chevy Small Block TH700R4 combo which is a super common engine and box around the world, this could work for Chevy trucks and even cars like old Camaros and Caprices.
Have you considered electrification of the crewcab (5 seat) Toyota Hilux? There are 1000's about; especially the seris 7. They are a great 4x4 but not very economical with fuel at nearly £10 a gallon now and 23mpg!! They have a good boot and bonnet space for the conversion. Looking forward to the DIY kits for the home mechanic.
I would love to see a Ford Ranger conversion being that the drive train/frames of all Rangers are near alike and there are million upon million waiting for this. bye-the bye I happen to have a 2002 XLT four door 4x4. right hand drive it'd volunteer as a test bed... provided it came home afterward of course...
Do the H1 - Military Humvee! There are a ton of them coming out of military service, and they need a new life. I want to see a dual motor version (probably using smaller motors), where the entire driveshaft tunnel is all battery (because the frame of these things is really weird). But the brakes are also weird... idk if this *can* fit...
@@ElectricClassicCars Good point. But I bet this kit would sell like hot cakes... Partner with this guy that sorta did this: ru-vid.com/group/PL0vZL9uwyfOFezIOiBjkdW3TTdn0Q_AKL
Nissan Patrol please! I have a 1995 Y60 TD42 which is a great old truck but the engine is a bit archaic by today's standards. An EV Swap would bring it up to today very nicely
I’d love to get my Discovery 3 converted oneday, but recognise that is probably too modern a vehicle for ECC. I’ve always hankered after a late original Range Rover Classic, soft dash maybe LWB. But rather than 4x4 you should partner with JLR to take over the E-type zero project the cancelled. There would be a lot of demand for those as kits. m.ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-610Amyhpzzk.html
The RRC we can do. We've done a few of them. The Defender kit literally slots right in. Just a little bit different front battery box. We've also got a few electric E-Types to do. 👍
Love your work Sir! The Deefer you did for the department store , which Jonny Smith delivered, was amazing! PLease get a kit ready for the Disco 2 in a few years...my TD5 is still going strong but won't last forever! Cheers from Down Under. GRegg :-)
Doubt I've got the pocket-money, but if you do release a kit I'll be sure to see if I can afford to wedge it in place of the ancient 19J / 2.5 diesel turbo / LT77 leaky-smoke-fest, that is currently dragging my SWB LR S2a around.
Two items: 1) Where is the link for the conversion shop in the US, please? 2) How do you obtain the Tesla components? Are you buying them from Tesla or taking them from either operational Tesla cars or junked models? Also, while you are UK based, there are a lot more Jeeps on the road and query if you could put together a package - esp one for the DIY crowd.
It would be nice to consider an option for the Discovery 3. I have one with 200K+ and i love the vehicle, but the cost of running and maintenance is now expensive. A conversion for this would be something 'special'. The disco 3 is so popular with landrover enthusiasts.
Toyota Hilux. The standard workhorse and 4x4 in Africa. Very solid, durable built, but the older models have terrible fuel economy - particularly the petrol versions.
What other vehicles to convert? Since you ask, Richard, I’ve been wanting to call you to discuss the conversion of a Mercedes G Wagen. There is a slight issue, however, the car would need to be registered in Germany and approved by the less than adventurous TÜV officials to do so. My idea is to purchase a long wheelbase soft top ex-military version and fully restore it (civilian) and convert to electric power. I think much less power than your very lovely defender would suffice and surely make things easier regarding TÜV approval. Thanks for asking. 😉
@electric classic cars, you're doing a amazing job. Would you consider converting Suzuki Jimnys or Pajero Minis. Those little 4x4s could be a riot to drive with all the electric torque..lots of fun.
A huge market in the USA would be to make a conversion kit for the Ford F-150 pick-up truck, one of the most widely used and popular vehicles in America. Big $$$
Been dreaming of converting a late first gen Range Rover for awhile! Would love to see a kit for that. Also please sell to the general public for us DIY-ers.
Toyota Hilux Invincible 2007 Black on black..! You can use mine but I must have it back to get me to work... Love this format, classic cars and angry pixies... Have fun. Keep it up.
Want to make a gazillion dollars? Find out what the most common vehicle on the road is and make a DIY kit for it. I legit can't figure out why this hasn't been done yet. These kits are always catered towards boutique builds and low volume/rare vehicles. Make them for common cars. What the hell?
Would be great to see you do a Freelander .....because us modified Td4 owners are daft enough to repeatedly throw money at them hahaha (Also.. there was a guy doing a conversion of one, with a Nissan Leaf. All credit to him, but only so much you can do on your own in a garage - Looks like the idea has legs, if done by someone with more experience)
A Nissan Patrol Y60 and Y61 kit would be an amazing kit to have. Those axles are top of the industry, they only lack on the engine side, so this type of upgrade would be quite a step up, as they are very popular in Australia and middle east, but also some parts of Europe.
@@seshelbow336 or BMW M57 which is an even easier swap, but it wouldn't be legal in Italy. An electric motor would transform my Patrol in a perfect every day city car, with great off-road capabilities
A SWB old school Patrol is something I lust after but probably will never get the chance to own…..for me it would have to be done in the Arab style like they race up the sand dunes….and I can’t think of a way to have a turbo hanging out of the bonnet with an electric conversion.
Definitely a Delica L300 and L400 kit. Preferably with the battery under the vehicle, as to keep the centre of gravity lower and because a lot of these vans are decked out as a camper or still want to keep them as 7/8 seaters.
Full size jeep models from mid 60s thru 80s!!!!!!! I've been wanting to convert this for a while now. They are heavy but have tons of room for possibly more Kw hrs also!
I assume the use of Tesla batteries and motors is because there are more out there, and they are one of the leaders in EV technology. I wouldn't expect you to give away commercially sensitive information, but are you looking into, or in talks with, other suppliers? I would think the battery suppliers would be the more difficult, simply because of the demand for batteries right now.
