To convert current gasoline or diesel-powered vehicle to electric vehicle (EV) is known as EV retrofitting. The technique entails replacing the original engine and other relevant parts and putting a new alternative energy source inside the current vehicle body. A new engine and drivetrain can either completely replace the current engine or be added as an additional system to the existing engine of the vehicle. It is simpler to replace or repair components such as suspension, brakes, headlights, and other aforementioned parts because all other parts of the car remain the same.
There won’t be any new gasoline-powered cars sold in Europe after 2035, with a few exceptions. The European Union’s 27 members recently approved the decision. For nations like Belgium to get ready, 13 years remain. For a project with this scope, this is not much time. Customers must also budget an additional sum of money for the extra costs associated with trading in their old gasoline or diesel cars for new electric ones.
In order to convert a car with a conventional combustion engine to an electric vehicle, one potential solution is to retrofit current vehicles. Though still extremely expensive, it is possible.
The goal of Aymeric Libeau is to make this cheaper and easier for everyone. Four years ago, a French entrepreneur created Transition One, a business whose mission is to make it possible for anyone in Europe to retrofit their car for a total of €7,000 to €8,000 (without any premiums); the transformation could be completed in four hours at a franchise partner.
The Fiat 500, an outdated diesel vehicle that Libeau has been operating as an electric vehicle since it was converted 11 years ago, served as the basis for his prototype. Since being modified, it has traveled more than 14,000 kilometers.
An electric motor, as well as batteries, have taken the place of the engine block, and a charging socket has replaced the tank. From a domestic outlet, the car needs five hours to charge completely; at a charging station, it takes only two hours. The car has not lost any additional space, to sum it up. You only need to repurpose the areas that a retrofit has created, according to Libeau. The autonomy of the vehicle, however, is only 100 km if it retains all of its space.
Retrofitting is a legal practice in France since two years ago. Nevertheless, each modified model needs to receive official approval, which is expensive and can cost anywhere from €100,000 to €800,000 based on the model. The Mini, Kangoo, Renault Clio, Twingo, and Fiat 500 are the five models that Libeau is currently working to get approved.
He said that in France, deliveries of the first vehicles that have been approved are anticipated to begin at the close of 2023, while for the rest of Europe, delivery dates will depend entirely on how quickly the European Commission can agree on retrofitting regulations.