Renault partners with conversion business to create fully electric classics

Renault partners with conversion business to create fully electric classics

By Michael Jordan 2 years ago

Renault in France has released the initially of a few electric retrofit kits, in partnership with EV conversion business enterprise R-In good shape1.

The kits are absolutely homologated for streets registration in France and pricing (including labour to install) starts off from €11,900 (Au$18,400).

The initial package to be released is for the Renault 4 and was revealed at the modern classic auto present, Rétromobile.

Often also recognized as the 4L, more than 8 million examples of the design ended up developed around the globe amongst 1961 and 1994. (The R4 was even assembled listed here in Australia amongst 1962 and 1966).

For French entrepreneurs of what is now a basic auto, the package only slots in to replace the present motor even though leaving the existing gearbox in put to use as for every normal. This is fortuitous for, as component of the kit’s approval, the electric substitute is no much more powerful that the first ICE a person – which even in 1983 experienced only arrived at the ‘heady’ heights of 34 horsepower (25kW).

With a battery voltage or 105V and capability 10.7kWh, it is definitely no ball of hearth in terms of performance or variety, nevertheless as a way to reinvigorate a traditional auto for the 21st century – it is absolutely a deserving selection to look at. Conversion would give new lifestyle to these cars as a affordable, local run-around vehicle (as required by many, which includes Bob recently.)

R-In good shape1 are also organizing to release a 2nd kit in September this 12 months: this time for the Renault 5 (the R5 was generated involving 1972 and 1996), with an additional for the very first generation Renault Twingo (produced concerning 1993 and 2004) to be built obtainable shortly immediately after the release of the R5 package.

It is worth noting that only the R4 was at any time officially brought to Australia, and then in somewhat restricted numbers. Also, as only the early R4 was generated in Australia there are pretty few remaining listed here now.

Even so the R4, R5 and first era Twingo ended up really common in France, Europe and several other components of the earth, so there is a substantial amount of these vehicles even now still left jogging all around that would be ripe for conversion to short-assortment use.

Regrettably, with so few remaining Australian R4s (and these becoming some 30 a long time older than the latest kinds in other places) there is very little hope of the kits currently being brought to Australia.

On the other hand, it does give a pointer as to what is feasible presented backing from a big maker to produce conversion kits and kick-get started build a area of interest conversion market. Possibly Toyota could get guiding electrification and back the growth of a kit for an early Toyota Corolla?

RFIT web-site: https://rfitvintage.com/

Technological details for the electric retrofit kit built for the Renault 4:

  • Unique mechanical transmission program untouched
  • Brushless synchronous motor
  • Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) battery
  • Weight distribution unchanged
  • Driving vary of about 80 km
  • Entire cost in 3 hrs 30
  • Electronic battery charge gauge
  • Recharge by way of a 16A – 220 V domestic plug
  • 105 V battery pack with ability of 10.7 kWh
  • 5 kWp/48 kWp motor
  • Two-yr promise

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