Have an EV and want to take advantage of the quiet, pollution-free ride on your 1974 Ford Bronco? For $75,000, Ontario-based green tech startup Arc Motor Company will convert your vintage vehicle into an electric vehicle using Tesla batteries that have been trashed.
Being the first woman in North America to launch a company of this type, Sloane Paul hopes to improve performance while advancing the goal of net-zero emissions.
Paul led Microsoft’s worldwide performance marketing team prior to joining Arc. She has worked for well-known IT and engineering firms like Dyson for more than 15 years.
“When you electrify a car, you’re not only just making a better driving machine and more enjoyable and reducing the tailpipe emissions, but you’re also reducing the amount of waste that goes into the landfill,” Paul explained.
The business is said to be the first to finish converting a 1974 Ford Bronco, a first-generation vehicle, to an electric vehicle. Tom Chep, the engineer and COO of ARC, clarified that it “packs plenty of punch.”
With two electric motors, the Ford Bronco EV doubles the power and torque of the original gas-powered model.
Startup uses Tesla batteries to make an electric 1974 Ford Bronco
It “just goes to show what the capabilities are,” even if you probably won’t need all that power. With a focus on electrical engineering, Chep has a P.Eng. In addition, he possesses ten years of engineering leadership experience, having held positions at Rolls-Royce and Toyota, among other notable organizations.
The corporation had to come up with a novel solution because the Bronco’s 5.0-liter engine cannot simply be changed. The majority of the powertrain, according to Arc, comes from recovered or discarded Tesla Model S cars.
Tesla battery modules were purchased by Chep sources from a wrecker that specializes in salvaging battery parts. He then constructs his own battery using them.
All told, 15 of the 16 battery modules that powered the original Model S are still present in the Bronco. Inside the engine compartment, the battery pack is kept safe and sound inside a custom-built steel box (see above). The ancient Ford has a range of around 320 km (199 miles) with 75 kWh of energy.
This is more of a day tripper even though it is a far cry from contemporary EVs, the most of which have a range of over 300 miles.
With two electric motors, the original Bronco’s 120 horsepower and 243 lb-ft of torque are nearly doubled to 260 horsepower and 346 lb-ft of torque.
The technology is portable, which is the nicest part. Arc should be able to electrify your vintage vehicle. Another major project that Chep and Paul are thinking about is a “monstrous Power Wagon.”
Electric conversions from Arc begin at $75,000. According to the company, they intend to provide conversions at a lower cost as parts and battery prices decrease over time.
A conversion will take two to three months after the parts arrive. Arc advises you to factor in an additional 4–8 weeks for parts and shipping.