In my ignorance I believed the US were leading in the world of EV conversions. However after watching the recent interview with Richard Morgan "Moggy" on Jehu Garcia's Youtube channel, I have had a change of heart. Jehu is well now for is homemade battery projects which include video's on how to build power walls and his own EV conversions. He also has close ties with EV West and the rest of the US scene.
After my initial research I believed EV West were leading the way in EV builds, then electricGT, EV Propulsion, Stealth EV, Icon, (Canev in Canada) etc all playing a part in driving this tech forward. Although it looks like EV West certainly started the most recent revolution with Moggy referring Michael Bream (CEO of EV West) as Uncle, and using EV West's Beetle kit for his own conversion. Although he hints to the fact that their "kit" isn't exactly complete and ready fit. Not the first time I have heard that, again an issue with most of the EV kits out there. Now UK companies like Electric Classic Cars (ECC) and Zero EV have taken the baton a few years ago and are racing ahead.
With ECC's experience in hacking / re-programming the Tesla drive unit, with the number of conversions they are doing, they have decided the best route is to use a replacement control board for the inverter, using Chris from Zero EV's tried and tested board which uses an OEM version of an open source board.
ECC actually converts cars to be shipped all over the world including the US and are converting about 100 cars a year. The TV show Vintage voltage on Quest channel (Discovery App) is now in its 2nd series and growing across the world. He confirms 80% of his business is conversions and the rest is parts / kits supply.
Their was a number of times in the interview below where Jehu was blown away by the conversion progress and development that ECC and Zero EV have made. One that I was particular interested in which was the reprogramming of the Tesla Model 3 drive unit.
Its nearly 2 hours long, but if you like this subject well worth the watch!
Check out Salvage to savage a US youtube video which is currently the most exciting build that I have seen for a while with 2 x large Tesla Model S motors in an old skool truck. Double Large Tesla Drive Unit in a Truck...4000 FT/LBS or Torque....Yeeehaaa! | ChargeheadsUK
Who are they asking for advice and parts to make it work????? Chris at Zero EV from the UK of course!!!