"Brace yourself for the sound of silence. But these days, quiet means fast." – ABC News Nightline

Early Porsches, Karmann Ghias, VW Things, and Microbuses–all perfect candidates for the Zelectric retrofit. 

Our specialty is brand-exclusive. Vintage Volkswagen models and early Porsches. If it's not already in your garage, we can help locate the model you've always wanted, then upgrade and zelectrify it for you. 

While our initial focus began with turnkey vintage Beetles, all rear-engined air-cooleds through 1979 are perfectly designed for the Zelectric retrofit. That iconic classic you love can be transformed into a reliable daily driver again. It deserves to be driven.

If you own a matching numbers classic, its original engine can be properly crated for safekeeping. No cutting or welding ever takes place, so the investment value of your vehicle remains intact. From the outside, it will appear to be a stock-perfect sleeper, and if so desired, could always be converted back to fossil fuel consumption. But we’ve never heard of anyone choosing to go back to internal combustion.

If you're considering a Zelectric retrofit for a car you currently own, is it investment-worthy? First, it must have a manual transmission. With the exception of the engine itself, it should be in excellent working condition, free of “cancerous” rust. Once the internal combustion engine is removed, you can keep it or we can facilitate its sale with a % of the sale price credited to the cost of your rebuild. 

Looking for an 100+ mile range? Zelectric retrofit packages generally start at $78k USD. Microbus rebuilds at $85k. Porsches can be more, depending on build options selected. This includes project management, design, batteries, electric components, and labor. Depending on the model, select mechanical upgrades such as rebuilt transmission, sway bars, HD shocks, radial tires, disc brakes, LED lamps, seat belts may be included. Electric heat, whitewalls and sound system upgrades are always available as additional options.

Charge up, get out and drive! Driving your upgraded classic will be easier than any standard midcentury car and way more fun than most one-speed EV production cars. Around town, you'll be in 2nd or 3rd gear only, no need to shift even when coming to a full stop and starting up again. The Zelectric's maintenance-free AC motor is designed to run 24/7 for 100 years, with state of the art lithium-iron batteries providing full range for at least 200,000 miles. 

Many models make good candidates for zelectrification. In addition to the beloved Beetle, these pre-1980 models rank among the best:

– Porsche 356, 911, 912 (and 356 replicas)

– VW Microbus, Split and Bay Window

– VW Karmann Ghia

– VW Things, Squarebacks, Notchbacks, Fastbacks

 

Everything in life is a trade off to some degree.
Ask yourself. Is a Zelectric right for you?

What you don't get.

  • No gas. No tank of highly flammable liquid sloshing around a few feet away from you.

  • No door handles that light up and
    rise out of the car to greet you.

  • No sound. Well some, but not much. (So your killer sound system sounds that much sweeter.)

  • No neanderthal tailpipe.

  • No driving something that looks
    like an angry appliance.

  • No engine that needs maintenance.

  • No car-recognizes-your-face thing.
    Your face recognizes your car instead.

  • No carburator.

  • No oil leaks. (No oil.)

  • No car that comes when you call it. The car calls you; it’s irresistible.

  • No autonomous driving. You’d rather be in control, thank you. Because you like to drive.

  • No motor maintenance. Ever.

  • No spending money at gas stations unless you want to buy a candy bar.

  • No emissions. The car behind you will be grateful.

  • No power steering. Well maybe.
    Yes, we’re working on that one.

  • No power windows.

  • No 17" touchpad in the dash. Unless you mount your iPad there.

  • No depreciation.

  • No looking like every other car
    out there.

  • No keyless ignition.

  • No space lost under the hood.

  • No waiting to warm up. Turn on, 100% instant torque at your command.

  • No turning on the heat to inhale toxic gas fumes. You’ll just get warm and cozy.

What you do get. 

  • You’ll turn heads. Without trying. And rediscover the fun of driving a real car.

  • Easy fill-ups. Just plug in. Anywhere. Public chargers or next to your toaster even.

  • Your very own spare tire.

  • Powerful AC Motor designed by Nikola Tesla.

  • Ridiculously fast acceleration.

  • Smart Phone compatible - optional device holds yours in place for GPS navigation. USB Charge port included.

  • Drive tastefully, in high style.

  • You’ll be seen going places in one of the most iconic, beloved automobiles ever designed.

  • Amaze and delight friends who are clueless. Zelectric? It’s a sleeper.

  • With a Z-Bug or Porsche, you’ll fit into really small parking places.

  • You will joyfully take joyrides.

  • Drive a car that continues to increase in value.

  • Drive a thoroughly dependable ride that's awesome fun to pilot.

  • Fuel up with solar power and run on sunshine.

  • Your carbon footprint, diminished.

  • Everyone else will see how smart you really are. At last.

  • You’ll be driving the greenest, recycled type car on the planet. Mother Earth will be grateful.

  • You’ll get thumbs up from strangers when you least expect it.

  • And a back seat.

  • Plus: a horn with an instantly recognizable sound. Meep.