Once a small, noisy car with a tiny engine, now a small, quiet car with a powerful motor.

The drive is the thing. Each vehicle is built to order. To provide the optimum driving experience, the Zelectric performance upgrade includes an array of basic modifications in addition to the drivetrain conversion. Beyond that, custom options are available. We are all about performance.

We retrofit client-owned cars. But if you don’t already own it, we can help locate your ideal candidate for a Zelectric retrofit. Occasionally we have turnkey Zelectric vehicles available for purchase, or exceptional models on hand that are available for commission. In addition to the current market value of the vehicle, general base costs to zelectrify Beetle, Karmann Ghia or Porsche start at $78,000. Microbus is $85,000. The Tesla motor powered Zelectric Porsche 911/912 starts at $98,000 and $113,000 for the Tesla motor powered Zelectric Microbus. 

"Zelectric: Quick, Clean and Classic." 
– VW Das Auto Magazine

What’s included and what’s optional in the basic Zelectric retrofit?

Included: Regenerative Braking • Drive-by-wire Throttle • Digital Dash Fuel Gauge • LED Head and Tail Lamps • USB Charge Port • Universal J1772 Charge Port (compaitble with Level 1 & 2 for home and public charging) • Level-1 Charge Cord • VWs only: Rebuilt Transmission • 12-volt Upgrade (if car is currently 6-volt) • Front Disc Brakes

Optional Add-Ons: Bluetooth, Satellite and Custom Stereo Options • Electric Interior Heating System • Heated Seats • Adjustable Suspension (select models) • Radial Tires or Custom Whitewall Radials • Rear Disc Brakes • Roof Rack (select models) • Custom Paint • Custom Upholstery, Trim Options • Level-2 Charge Cord

Rarely available. But when they are, typical turnkey ZelectricBug sedans (1958-1967) start at around $90,000. Every car is a vintage classic and priced according to its unique characteristics and condition.

Exceptional ragtops, convertibles and other models can be sourced, including air-cooled Porsches and top-tier replicas.

Zelectric can retrofit your currently owned rear-engined VW or Porsche classic (50s, 60s, 70s models) with select components, with base prices starting at $78,000 for Porsche, Beetle, or Karmann Ghia. Microbus is $85,000. The Tesla motor powered Zelectric Porsche 911/912 starts at $98,000 and $113,000 for the Tesla motor powered Zelectric Microbus.

Basic High Performance Retrofit:

Custom Lithium Battery Packs (80-150 mi range)

Double to Triple the Original Horsepower 

Regen Braking

120 foot-pounds (or more) of Instant Torque

Top Speed 100+ MPH (if you want to)

Battery Life: 300,000+ Miles - 15+ Years

No Metal is Cut - Nothing Welded On

Included Electric Components

- Maintenance-Free 100% Electric 3-Phase AC Motor

- Regen Braking

- Lithium Batteries (Recyclable & Dependable)

- Motor Controller with Custom Cooling System

- On-Board Charging System

- DC/DC Converter (Charges Stock 12-Volt System - Lights Radio etc.)

- 6061- Aluminium CAD Battery Boxes & Motor Mounts

- Drive-By-Wire Throttle System

- Dash-Mounted Regen Power Switch

- Dash-Mounted Reverse Switch

- Digital Dash-Mounted e-Fuel Gauge

- Universal Built-In J1772 Charge Port for Level 1 & 2 Home or Public Charging

- Portable 110v Level 1 Household Charger

Included Mechanical Drivetrain Improvements (VWs only)

- Heavy Duty Clutch & Lightened Flywheel 

- Rebuilt VW 4-Speed  Transaxle

- Short-Throw Shifter

Included Suspension Improvements (VWs only)

- Adjustable Front Beam (Beetle & Ghia only)

- Front and Rear Heavy-Duty Sway Bars

- Front and Rear Gas Shocks

- Front Disc Brakes

- Professional Front-end Alignment

Standard Features Included

- 12-Volt Electric Running Gear Upgrade (Lights, Wipers, etc.)

- LED Headlamps (Beautifully Bright)

- LED Tail, Brake & Parking Lamps

Optional Zelectric Upgrades

- Tesla Motor option for Microbus or 911/912 only

- New Carpet and/or Rubber Mat Flooring

- Sound Deadening

- Period-Correct Coco Mats

- New Upholstery

- Under-Dash Parcel Shelf/Tray

- Custom White Wall Radial Tire & Rim Package 

- Spare Tire, Jack & Lug Wrench

- Custom Bluetooth Sound System  

- Electric Ceramic Heater System (Wonderfully Warm)

- Air conditioning Package Coming Soon!

- Power Steering Coming Soon (Microbus only)

- Period-Correct Roof Rack/s

- Safari Windows (Microbus only)

- Rear Adjustable Spring Plates

- Rear Disc Brakes

- Swing Axle To IRS Conversion

- Minor body repair and restoration services

- Electrical system repair

- Additional 2X onboard charger (for faster charging)

- Faster Level 2 Household Charger

- Tesla Home Charger Adaptor

- Many more custom options. Just ask!

Every Zelectric Build Includes

- Detailed Wiring Diagram of the Car’s Original System

- Detailed Wiring Diagram of the New Zelectric Components

- Zelectric Driving Guide - Info for Owners

Warranties

- Manufacturer's Warranties Range from 1-5 Years

Please note that all specifications and prices are subject to change. 

The electrical engineering design of the prototype ZelectricBug was developed with Zelectric partner EV West, builders of the BMW M3 that remains the fastest street-division electric to take the International Pike's Peak Hill Climb. 

Living with a Zelectric Classic

- No oil. No gas. No emissions.

- No valves to adjust, just fill tires occasionally

- Huge VW parts network worldwide 

- VW mechanics everywhere

Electric Motor vs. Gas Engine

- No maintenance

- No carburetor or valve adjustments

- No fuel, oil, or air filters to replace

- No belts or mufflers to replace

- No spark plugs/wire

- No oil, no gas

- More effective use of energy

- Uses American-made energy

- 85% of new power plants are using green energy

Driving differences

- Shifting — less

- Braking — less

- HP — usually at least doubled+ sometimes tripled.

- Torque — instant

- Motor maintenance — zero

- No warm up

- 80–180 mi range, depending on model

Fueling

- Plug in at overnight - start with a "full tank" in the morning

- Solar-power ready, run on sunshine

- Charge anywhere: 110/220v household outlet or 220 public charger

- Drive 100 miles on $2-4 of electricity, or $0 with solar

We keep it sweetly stock. 

- Nothing cut or welded on

- Period-correct interior

- Can be converted back to stock ICE

- White wall tires

- Spare tire

- Manual transmission

- The vehicle is going up in value.

- Every car has a 50 year history and will feature unique options.

- Everything works. 

- We field test it for 500+ miles before releasing it.

- Everything is checked - what needs replacing is replaced.

- Zelectrics have won awards and been featured in various California concours-level events.