Currently reading: UK firm can electrify original Land Rover Defender for £24,000
Conversion can be made to a farm-working Defender 90 or 110; offers a cost-saving “drop-in” fitting

British firm Electrogenic is offering a new ‘drop-in’ electric conversion kit for the original Land Rover Defender for just £24,000. 

Electrogenic’s kit can be used to replace the Defender’s original diesel or petrol engine with a 120bhp, 173lb ft electric motor.

Power comes from a 52kWh battery pack fitted under the bonnet, equipped for 7.5kW AC charging via a Type 2 connector, with faster charging an optional extra.

The firm says the conversion, which can be undertaken on any pre-1998 Defender 90 or 110, is aimed at farm-working vehicles, with the batteries offering 100-plus miles of range on the road or “considerably more” off it, due to lower average speeds - although no official figures have been given.

It claims, following testing against a diesel Defender, that owners can save around £6000 annually in fuel costs.

It also says that the kit has been designed to be maintenance-free, saving on running costs, and can “operate happily for decades”.

The battery is similarly robust, capable of a claimed 200,000 miles of use.

Electrogenic electric land rover conversion kit battery

Further costs are saved by the easy "drop-in" installation method and by bolting the motor onto the existing clutch bell housing, so the vehicle keeps all its gears. Four-wheel drive is also kept.

Towing gets a boost too from the electric motor’s “instant and abundant torque”, Electrogenic says, while dual-stage regenerative braking enables brake-free off-road descents.

Electrogenic co-founder Steve Drummond said: “Defenders fitted with our easy-to-install kits do everything required of them on the farm quietly and efficiently. They're always there ready for use. Just unplug and drive away; no more factoring in trips to the petrol station and instant heat on cold, frosty mornings.

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"An electrified Defender can also represent one more step towards a farm achieving its sustainability goals.

"The converted Defenders really deliver on all fronts, and we’re sure they will serve farmers ably for many years to come."

Yorkshire-based Twisted Automotive also offers a Defender conversion, but with much more power and for £270,000. This is more than just a powerplant replacement, though, with the fitment of a 61kWh battery and 268bhp, 885lb ft motor supplemented by a radical overhaul of the chassis and cabin.

Will Rimell

Will Rimell
Title: Deputy news editor

Will is a journalist with more than eight years experience in roles that range from news reporter to editor. He joined Autocar in 2022 as deputy news editor, moving from a local news background where he cut his teeth.

In his current role as deputy news editor, Will’s focus is with Autocar and Autocar Business; he also manages Haymarket's aftermarket publication CAT.

Writing is, of course, a big part of his role too. Stories come in many forms, from interviewing top executives, reporting from car launches, and unearthing exclusives.

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xxxx 21 June 2022

save 6k a year you say, that's 23k miles a year approx. That's a big farm and only then if you get your electricity for free.

Peter Cavellini 21 June 2022
xxxx wrote:

save 6k a year you say, that's 23k miles a year approx. That's a big farm and only then if you get your electricity for free.

Farm in Australia maybe?

xxxx 21 June 2022
Peter Cavellini wrote:

xxxx wrote:

save 6k a year you say, that's 23k miles a year approx. That's a big farm and only then if you get your electricity for free.

Farm in Australia maybe?

Better not run out of juice there, Inbetweeners had issues with that.

realistnotoptimist 21 June 2022

Could be a little awkward!

What are the specs on it?

Would imagine it is faster than the PAINFULLY slow V8 90 Defenders (as in the old ones. The news ones are pretty quick!)