Converting a Classic Car to Electric

A photo of musician Neil Young with his electric 1959 Lincoln Continental. Young is a pioneer when it comes to converting classic cars to electric. Known as the LincVolt, Neil's goal was to inspire a generation by creating a clean automobile propulsion technology that served the needs of the 21st Century and delivered performance that was a reflection of the driver's spirit. Powered by a Plug-in hybrid engine, the first version of the car was completed in 2010.

Electric GT was one of the first companies to introduce an Electric Crate Engine. The company has been operating out of California since 2013, and they are one of the most established players in the classic EV space. Electric GT systems mimic a traditional v-style engine block in terms of layout, and it is an all-inclusive way to go electric without cutting up your classic car. The Electric GT GTE Motor Block replaces the traditional gas engine under the hood and can be bolted to existing transmissions. In fact, the GTE system is intended to work specifically with manual gearboxes. The battery range for a typical installation is between 70 and 150 miles per charge, depending on the vehicle weight. Electric GT also offers extended range batteries that can be installed alongside the GTE block. In June of 2020 a GTE package started in the low-$30,000.00 price range. Click here for more info and order details. Photo courtesy of Electric GT.

In 2018 Southern California speciality builder ICON debuted an electric-powered 1949 Mercury at the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. Photo courtesy of ICON.

The ICON electric 1949 Mercury was powered by a Tesla battery pack and Stealth EV dual electric motors that provided 470 lb-ft of torque and the equivalent of 400 horsepower, with a top speed of 120 mph. Photo courtesy of ICON.

Late in 2020 Chevrolet started showcasing a 1977 Chevrolet K5 Blazer they had converted to all-electric propulsion. Known as the K5 Blazer-E, the car was a functional proof of concept of the upcoming Electric Connect and Cruise package Chevrolet Performance planned to sell in the second half of 2021. Shown at the SEMA360 the K5 Blazer-E retained as much of the stock Blazer as possible and approximately 90 percent of the new parts installed for the eCrate package were factory components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV. Photo courtesy of Chevrolet.

The 1977 K5 Blazer-E used a Bolt EV electric motor, delivering 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Chevrolet Performance electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The rest of the Blazer drivetrain remained untouched, including the transfer case, driveshaft, and axles. Photo courtesy of Chevrolet.

Power for the 1977 K5 Blazer-E was supplied by a 400-volt Bolt EV battery pack with 60 kilowatt-hours of usable energy installed in the cargo area. Using production controllers and wiring harnesses preserves many Bolt EV features, including shock protection, battery heating, and cooling, battery-overcharge protection, and even regenerative braking. Photo courtesy of Chevrolet.

In November of 2021 Ford unveiled their all-electric F-100 Eluminator concept, a zero-tailpipe-emissions, demonstration truck powered by the all-new Ford Performance Parts Eluminator electric crate motor. Based on a heritage 1978 Ford F-100 pickup, the F-100 Eluminator concept featured all-wheel drive via two powerful electric motors shared with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition. Two electric traction motors drove the front and rear wheels, packing a powerful 480 horsepower and 634 lb.-ft. of torque. Photo courtesy of Ford.

Eluminator, the first e-crate motor from Ford Performance Parts, was based on the Mustang Mach-E GT’s traction motor and it was available to buy online from November of 2021. The retail price of the M-9000-Mache was $4,095.00 in February of 2022. Click here to check price and availability. Photo courtesy of Ford.

An Electric GT eGT413 crate motor being mated to a Tremec TKX 5 Speed Manual Transmission in a 1963 Chevrolet Corvette. The job was completed in March of 2021. Photo courtesy of Electric GT.

Webb Motorworks builds electric crate motors that looks like traditional gas engines. The idea originated with Emily Webb suggesting her father Chris Webb to electrify his 1936 Hayes logging truck that had been passed down from her great grandfather. Chris then came up with the idea to package the electric motor with a retro look to look vintage. Photo courtesy of Webb Motorworks.

Webb Motorworks upcoming range of products includes a small block Chevrolet engine, a Hemi, a big block Chevrolet engine, and a Flathead eCrate engine. The engines will bolt into your former engine and trans mounts. The engines cost between $50,000-$70,000 USD and you can reserve one through their website. There is a $100.00 reserve fee. Click here for more info and availability. Photo courtesy of Webb Motorworks.

The Webb Motorworks crate engines include a fully electric drive system inside the engine block. Photo courtesy of Webb Motorworks.

Webb Motorworks and Canada Electric Vehicles displayed a EV-converted 1932 Ford Hot Rod at the 2021 SEMA Show. Photo courtesy of Canada Electric Vehicles.

Convert It!: A simple step-by-step guide for converting any classic car into an electric vehicle. This book will help you calculate the range and acceleration you'll get with your conversion. It includes a complete detailed schematic diagram, photos, illustrations and an overview of the whole project including a walk through the decisions process, what components are necessary and why you need them, some of the different types of components and how to choose. Click here to check price and availability on Amazon.com.

Build Your Own Electric Vehicle. Thoroughly revised and expanded, Build Your Own Electric Vehicle, Third Edition, is your go-to guide for converting an internal combustion engine vehicle to electric or building an EV from the ground up. You'll also find out about the wide variety of EVs available for purchase and how they're being built. Click here to check price and availability on Amazon.com.

The age of the EV is upon us and automakers all over the world have started rolling out ambitious electrification strategies targeting a completely battery-powered lineup by the end of the decade. 6.5 million EVs were sold worldwide in 2021. That includes fully electric and plug-in hybrid passenger cars, and it represents a 109% growth over 2020. As the numbers of new EVs sold is increasing, it is also becoming more popular to convert classic cars to electric. Rising gas prices are a motivation for some, while others worry about future emission regulation. Other favors the power that comes with an electrical vehicle, and also the low degree of maintenance, as you can say goodbye to troublesome carburetors, ignition, and other challenging mechanical parts. The idea of engine swaps is as old as the sport of hot rodding, and the era of the EV swap is now upon us.

What is an Electric Crate Engine?

An Electric Crate Engine is a term used to describe a single housing that contains an electric motor, batteries, power management and all other vehicle features required for a successful transplant.

Electric GT

Electric GT was one of the first companies to introduce an Electric Crate Engine. The company has been operating out of California since 2013, and they are one of the most established players in the classic EV space. Electric GT systems mimic a traditional v-style engine block in terms of layout, and it is an all-inclusive way to go electric without cutting up your classic car. The Electric GT GTE Motor Block replaces the traditional gas engine under the hood and can be bolted to existing transmissions. In fact, the GTE system is intended to work specifically with manual gearboxes. The battery range for a typical installation is between 70 and 150 miles per charge, depending on the vehicle weight. Electric GT also offers extended range batteries that can be installed alongside the GTE block. In June of 2020 a GTE package started in the low-$30,000.00 price range. Click here for more info and order details.

The Chevrolet Performance eCrate Package

In November of 2020 Chevrolet started showcasing a 1977 Chevrolet K5 Blazer they had converted to all-electric propulsion. Known as the K5 Blazer-E, the car was a functional proof of concept of the upcoming Electric Connect and Cruise package Chevrolet Performance planned to sell in the second half of 2021. Shown at the SEMA360 the K5 Blazer-E retained as much of the stock Blazer as possible and approximately 90 percent of the new parts installed for the eCrate package were factory components from the Chevrolet Bolt EV. The Bolt EV electric motor delivered 200 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque, paired with a Chevrolet Performance electronically controlled four-speed automatic. The rest of the Blazer drivetrain remained untouched, including the transfer case, driveshaft, and axles.

The Ford Performance Eluminator Electric Crate Motors

In November of 2021 Ford unveiled their all-electric F-100 Eluminator concept, a zero-tailpipe-emissions, demonstration truck powered by the all-new Ford Performance Parts Eluminator electric crate motor. Based on a heritage 1978 Ford F-100 pickup, the F-100 Eluminator concept featured all-wheel drive via two powerful electric motors shared with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition. Two electric traction motors drove the front and rear wheels, packing a powerful 480 horsepower and 634 lb.-ft. of torque. Eluminator, the first e-crate motor from Ford Performance Parts, was based on the Mustang Mach-E GT’s traction motor and it was available to buy online from November of 2021. The retail price of the M-9000-Mache was $4,095.00 in February of 2022. Click here to check price and availability.

Webb Motorworks - Old School Electric Crate Motors

Webb Motorworks builds electric crate motors that looks like traditional gas engines. The idea originated with Emily Webb suggesting her father Chris Webb to electrify his 1936 Hayes logging truck that had been passed down from her great grandfather. Chris then came up with the idea to package the electric motor with a retro look to look vintage. Early in 2022, Webb Motorworks upcoming range of products included a small block Chevrolet engine, a Hemi, a big block Chevrolet engine, and a Flathead eCrate engine. The engines will bolt into your former engine and trans mounts. The engines cost between $50,000-$70,000 USD and you can reserve one through their website. There is a $100.00 reserve fee. Click here for more info and availability.

How much does it cost to convert an old car to electric?

Converting a classic car to electric involves removing the entire internal combustion engine from a vehicle, installing an electric motor in its place. A conversion will cost you about $6000 in parts. Ford Performance sells their all-electric Eluminator e-crate motors online for $4,095.00. You also need battery packages, which will cost about $1,000.00-$3,000.00 USD for purchase and installation. You can also buy a complete eCrate engine from companies such as Electric GT and Webb Motorworks. These start at approximately $30,000.00 USD.

Classic Cars Converted to Electric

• Chris Webb's 1936 Hayes Pickup
• Neil Young's 1959 Lincoln Continental - LincVolt

Shops Converting Classic Cars to Electric

USA:
California:

• ICON

UK:

• Electric Classic Cars

Books and Resources

• Convert It!: A simple step-by-step guide for converting any classic car into an electric vehicle
• Build Your Own Electric Vehicle