Classic cars 'upcycled' to electric

Paul Clifton from BBC South Today reports on Everrati, a company based in Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire, that is converting classic cars like Land Rovers and Porsches to electric power. The company is removing old petrol engines and mechanical drivetrains and replacing them with batteries, making the vehicles more sustainable and compliant with city centre low-emission zones. Founder and chief executive Justin Lunny explains that creating a brand new car uses up to 20 tonnes of CO2, whereas a car made 60 years ago is much more sustainable. Currently, one in six new cars is powered by batteries. Everrati's latest prototype is a 1964 Mercedes Pagoda, an iconic two-seat sports car once owned by celebrities such as John Lennon, John Travolta, and Harry Styles. The car is being developed in a discreet workshop on a former US Air Force base. Justin Lunny acknowledges that the process is very expensive but hopes it will last a lifetime. Each car is built to order and comes with a hefty price tag. A good Pagoda sells for about £200,000 at classic car auctions, and a customer pays Everrati around £330,000 to replace the engine with a battery and restore the vehicle to as-new showroom condition. Everrati built its first car three years ago and now has 20 on the road, with 12 more being built in Oxfordshire and California. Justin Lunny admits that this service is not for everyone due to its high cost, but they are creating something that will hopefully last a lifetime. Many clients are having these cars made with and for their children to leave a lasting legacy. Chief engineer Tony Fong demonstrated the controls on the Mercedes Pagoda. He is currently building six Land Rovers for a client in Dubai and another car for a client in the Hamptons outside New York. Buyers are typically wealthy individuals who appreciate the idea of a fully sustainable and reusable vehicle. Tony Fong explained that the gearstick has been modified, and the gauge for the fuel tank now shows battery capacity. They are also engineering hazard lights into the car, which were not available when it was originally built. On the former airfield's perimeter road, the car is noisier than newer electric cars and has a lot of character. It has more performance now than when it was originally built, but it has a smaller range and charges more slowly. There are no seatbelts, airbags, or traction control, but it will be fitted with air conditioning. The car is not designed for long motorway journeys but is more likely to be seen outside fashionable restaurants or at summer parties. With a total price tag above £500,000, this is a niche market. Most of the cars will be sold in North America and the Middle East. Justin Lunny believes he could build 100 cars a year with his 20 staff and aims to sell his bespoke battery and drivetrain technology to other carmakers.