British firm launches 'innovative' EV Defender

Not just another retrofit, says Bedeo, as it promises zero emissions without adding unnecessary weight

We’ve become well accustomed to seeing electric conversions of classic cars. These have been achieved with varying degrees of success - and it’s safe to say varying degrees of quality and usability. Many if not most are extremely invasive and require the subject to be substantially re-engineered - with a predictable weight penalty. Bedeo, a British engineering firm that you’ve probably never heard of (we hadn’t) claims to be unique in this regard. And that’s thanks to its innovative use of IWM. 

What is IWM? Glad you asked. It stands for in-wheel motor, and it’s what separates Bedeo from most of its competitors. The firm revealed earlier plans for the tech - developed by subsidiary Protean Electric, which has been around since 2008 - last year, in the form of an EV system that could be retrofitted to commercial vehicles to extend their operating life. Which is a good idea, but not nearly as publicity-friendly as converting an old Land Rover Defender to run on battery power. 

As part of a Reborn Electric: Icons initiative, the Defender features four in-wheel motors, each providing 80hp and a maximum of 479lb ft to the total. That endows the off-roader with more than 300hp and, somewhat alarmingly, 1,916lb ft of torque. Happily the latter is more of a theoretical number than a real-world function - as the 0-62mph time of around 10 seconds testifies to. Bedeo has also sensibly limited the top speed to 80mph. 

So it’s not a neck-straining speed merchant (good); it’s obviously intended more as proof of concept, and to show that an EV conversion can be achieved without dramatically adding to a classic car’s kerbweight. Bedeo reckons that IWM, 75 kWh battery and standard 22 kW on-board charger weigh ‘around the same’ as the diesel engine it removed in the process. Presumably the other attraction is that thanks to the location of the motors, you can do away with driveshafts. While ‘losing none of the ruggedness and charm of a traditional Land Rover Defender on the road.’ Or off it if the pictures are anything to go by. 

You will lose some of the diesel-powered Defender’s range, mind. Bedeo says the estimated WLTP score is 153 miles. And you’ll need five hours to refill it, although that can be substantially reduced by opting for an optional (and chunkier) 50kW charger. Obviously the upside is that you get a ‘whisper-silent’ powertrain that will allow the Defender to be ‘enjoyed for years to come’ - albeit for a substantial, undisclosed outlay.  

“Through our Reborn Electric: Icons program, we are committed to maintaining the original car's kerb weight, charm, and driving dynamics while ensuring easy maintenance and delivering the benefits of electrification,” said Bedeo CEO, Osman Boyer. “For the Defender, and other models to come, this means zero tailpipe emissions, zero noise, and the preservation of the nostalgic, classic driving experience we all cherish, now brought into the 21st century without sacrificing its essence or adding unnecessary, bulky weight.”

If that all sounds appealing, the firm is inviting interested parties to get in touch, suggesting that they need not be ‘confined by pre-set limitations’ because the technology offers ‘unparalleled’ levels of customisation. It promises that new owners will ‘be active collaborators in the design process’ and reckons that its proprietary technology, engineered entirely in-house, offers the best route to preserving the nation’s automotive heritage. 

Moreover, on the basis that its IWM powertrain ‘can be utilised in any vehicle’, it will inevitably not be stopping with the Defender. As indicated by its CEO, Bedeo has plans to include other cars in the near future, and reckons its global footprint (it has manufacturing facilities in Turkey and China, alongside its UK-based headquarters and R&D operation) means it is well positioned to establish itself as a significant player on the EV conversion scene. In other words, watch this space. 

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