Why are these electric vehicle conversions becoming popular? Many classic cars have large, inefficient powertrains that make them hard to justify on the road today. If you want the look of a classic vehicle with a modern powertrain, one of the best ways to get this is to choose EV electromods. A company can remove the combustion engine and replace it with an electric vehicle powertrain to revitalize the older model.

Here are a few popular choices.

Volkswagen Camper/Microbus

Volkswagen already created an electric version of the Microbus, which is sold on the modern vehicle market as the ID.Buzz. The original VW Camper hit the market in 1949 and was popular through the 1970s. If you want to revitalize the nostalgic feeling but enjoy the zero-emissions driving of an EV, a typical EV conversion uses a 53-kWh battery offering up to 140 miles of range and 90 horsepower. The free-living feeling of this VW adds green power to the vibe, allowing you to be a modern hippy.

Mini Cooper

The original Mini Cooper came with a small combustion engine but can still be one of the best EV electromods. The small size and recognizable style makes it the perfect city car. The electric conversion uses a 19-kWh battery, providing up to 100 miles of driving range and 75 horsepower. That small driving rang means you should probably keep this car in the city. Still, an electric Mini from the 1960s is a pretty interesting way to get around.

Mazda MX-5 Miata

Another small car that works great with an electric conversion is the original Mazda Miata. This car arrived on the scene in 1989 and is a lightweight car with incredible handling. The Miata could be one of the most enjoyable EV cars you drive, especially with the instant torque offered that allows it to take off in a hurry. Some kits for this car include a 25-kWh battery that gives the car 100 miles of driving range and 120 horsepower. Adding this electric kit is a great way to have the driving prowess you want in a small electric convertible.

Porsche 911

If your classic Porsche 911 is on its last legs and you want to give it a new life, make it one of the EV electromods on the road. The Porsche 911 hit the market in 1964 and has been a top choice for drivers over the past 60 years. The traditional EV conversion gives this car a 62-kWh battery pack, 200 miles of driving range, and 320 horsepower. This allows you to give your classic car a new life while also ensuring it can be a zero-emissions vehicle.

Rolls-Royce Phantom V

Imagine this incredible car silently sneaking up on people. This Rolls-Royce could be great to drive with an electric powertrain, which is accomplished with a 120-kWh battery that delivers 300 miles of driving range and more than enough power for a glorious ride down a country lane. This might not be what you have in mind for your Phantom V, but it could be a great way to enjoy the car without rebuilding the massive V8 engine.

Land Rover Defender

The Defender has a range of powertrains, and this car dates back to 1983. This Land Rover SUV could be an excellent model for becoming one of the EV electromods for your green driving pleasure. The typical EV conversion uses an 81-kWh battery pack, which gives the SUV 180 miles of driving range and 270 horsepower. You can still enjoy off-roading and might think it’s better when you convert your 4WD SUV to an electric model with instant torque, which helps you get out of trouble more easily.

Volkswagen Beetle

The VW Beetle is the second model from the brand on this list. It was first introduced in 1938, with an incredible push for high production numbers coming after the end of World War II. More Beetles were made than any other vehicle in history, which makes a classic model perfect for an EV conversion. A typical conversion consists of a 26-kWh battery pack, giving the car 120 miles of driving range and 120 horsepower. Imagine silently driving a classic VW Beetle on the roads in your local town.

These seven cars are just a few examples of EV electromods that turn classic cars into electric vehicles, blending the old with the new for the classic style and a modernized powertrain.

The post The Rise of ‘Electromods’: Converting Classic Cars to Electric first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post The Rise of ‘Electromods’: Converting Classic Cars to Electric appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.

Its difficult to put the Mini Cooper in any category. It could be a premium subcompact car, it might be an extremely tiny SUV, or it might be one of the last remaining hatchbacks in the market. Regardless of what this little car brings to the table, it is a stylish, fun, and active vehicle. The SE model comes as an EV, which makes it even more intriguing and charming.

What powers the electric Cooper?

This small and unique EV could be the darling of the town. Many people might turn and look as you drive on by. The SE Electric is great for city driving but not so great on the highway. Its driving range is limited to only 114 miles on a single charge. This driving range comes from a 135-kW electric motor that gives this little vehicle 181 horsepower and 199 lb-ft of torque. A full recharge when using a DC fast charger takes about 90 minutes, and an at-home 240-volt battery pack does the job in 4.75 hours.

What does the Cooper EV include?

The Mini Cooper SE Electric has a few unique features that are ideal for this electric vehicle. It has a unique set of 16-inch wheels and a heat pump to handle the heating system. Otherwise this model uses the same trim ladder as the other Cooper models. This electric Mini has a two-door configuration, which makes it highly recognizable.

Here’s what you’ll find at each trim of this electric Mini Cooper:

Classic Trim

• Run-flat tires
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Automatic on/off LED headlights with cornering lights
• Heated power side mirrors
• Heated washer jets
• Carbon-black leatherette upholstery
• Height-adjustable manual front seats
• Cruise control
• Power windows and door locks
• Manual air conditioning
• Leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel
• Digital instrument cluster
• 8.8-inch infotainment touchscreen
• 6-speaker audio system
• Bluetooth connectivity
• SiriusXM satellite radio
• Apple CarPlay
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Lane departure warning
• Rearview monitor
• Rear parking sensors
• Tire pressure monitor

The Classic trim options include three colors, performance summer tires, and heated front seats.

Signature Trim

• Additional exterior colors, including roof and mirror colors
• Power-folding mirrors
• Proximity key fob
• Keyless entry
• Panoramic moonroof
• Dual-zone automatic climate controls
• Heated front seats
• Navigation system

If you choose the Signature trim, you can delete the panoramic moonroof and the navigation system if you desire. Options for this trim include:

• Heated steering wheel
• Alarm system
• Cloth and leatherette upholstery
• Roof rails
• Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel

Iconic Trim

• Additional paint and roof choices
• Nappa leather steering wheel
• Head-up display
• Wireless charging pad
• Premium leather upholstery

Check out the Union Jack taillights

The Union Jack is the national flag of the United Kingdom, bringing elements of the English, Scottish, and Welsh flags together in a unified manner. The Mini Cooper SE Electric has a set of taillights that utilize this design with LED lights and interesting uses of the stripes. The diagonal part of the lights is the regular taillight, while the horizontal part acts as the turn signal. This leaves the vertical part to be the brake light, offering a unique way to signal other drivers and pay homage to the UK.

Can an FWD car be fun to drive?

The Mini Cooper, in any of its forms, is supposed to be a fun and active car. This impressive machine is only offered with FWD, but that doesn’t make it less fun. The quick acceleration of the electric powertrain in the SE Electric model makes it easy to take this car out for a spin around town. You’re sure to enjoy the peppiness and quick steering responses when behind the wheel.

No Android Auto… bummer

The Mini Cooper SE Electric is certainly behind the times. This car doesn’t offer standard phone integration, which is odd. In fact, Android Auto is not available for this little car at all. That could be the BMW influence at work. Apple CarPlay is part of the mix, and Android users will have to connect via Bluetooth when driving this small electric car.

The electric Mini Cooper could be a good choice for drivers who don’t mind sticking to city streets. It has a low driving range and doesn’t provide connectivity for Android users. Still, this little car has the style you admire that makes it recognizable as part of the Mini Cooper family. Will you choose the Mini Cooper SE Electric?

The post 2024 Mini Cooper SE Electric: Compact, Charming, City Cruiser first appeared on Ride4Watts.com.

The post 2024 Mini Cooper SE Electric: Compact, Charming, City Cruiser appeared first on Ride4Watts.com.