With the rising demand for eco-friendly transportation, electric vehicles (EVs) have become a hot topic recently.
However, the higher price tags of electric cars often make them less accessible to the average consumer. This is where converting an existing petrol or diesel car into an electric one presents a cost-effective solution, bridging the gap between affordability and sustainability.
Converting your existing petrol or diesel car into an electric vehicle can be a more smart and practical solution.
This conversion reduces maintenance costs, cuts fuel expenses, and offers a pollution-free, eco-friendly driving experience.
Retrofitting your car with an electric conversion kit is gaining popularity, as it provides a cost-effective way to transition to electric mobility.
Several companies now offer conversion kits at competitive prices, allowing you to upgrade your car without the high cost of purchasing a new electric vehicle.
This article will explore the top 10 companies specializing in converting petrol or diesel cars into electric vehicles.
We’ll look at the prices, the features of each conversion kit, and other important factors you should consider.
Top 10 Electric Car Conversion Kit Companies in India
1- doReal Motors
doReal Motors, based in Haryana, is an automation manufacturing company that started as an EV Retrofitment enterprise. The company is actively retrofitting 4W vehicles for Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
The comprehensive conversion process done by the company involves several steps: vehicle assessment, motor and battery pack selection, integration of the controller and charging system, transmission adaptation, power inverter installation, cooling system implementation, wiring adjustments, and thorough testing.
The process starts with an in-depth vehicle assessment followed by the selection of appropriate motor and battery packs.
This is complemented by integrating the controller and charging systems, adapting the transmission, installing the power inverter, implementing a cooling system, adjusting the wiring, and conducting comprehensive testing.
Vehicle Types Converted by DoReal Motors
DoReal Motors can convert a wide range of vehicles into electric ones. The types of vehicles they convert include:
- Classic Cars: HM Ambassador, HM Contessa, Fiat Padmini, etc.
- Compact Cars: Maruti 800, Alto, WagonR, Swift, i10, i20, Nano, etc.
- Light Trucks and Vans: Tata Ace, Maruti Omni, Maruti Eco, etc.
- SUVs: Toyota Innova, Fortuner, Captiva, Duster, Safari, etc.
- Sports Cars: Porsche 911, Ferrari Spider, etc.
Conversion Costs
The cost of converting cars to electric vehicles varies significantly, ranging from 3 lakhs to 9 lakhs. This variation depends on factors like the model, weight, size, and manufacturing year of the vehicle.
For example, converting a small-sized hatchback is estimated to cost around 3 lakhs.
The conversion kit includes the entire EV drivetrain, which comprises the EV motor, EV controller, AC compressor, vacuum pump, throttle body, DC-DC converter, and high-voltage battery. Typically, this conversion offers a range of 200 kilometers.
Specifications of the Kit
Specifications | Details |
Top Speed | 115 km/hr |
Highest Range | 320 km/charge |
Battery Capacity | 40 kWh |
Motor Capacity | 50 kW |
Service Availability
doReal Motors extends its retrofitting services across India. They facilitate retrofits either on-site at the vehicle’s location or at their premises in New Delhi.
The company has a presence in key locations, including Delhi NCR, Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ahmedabad, and has also expanded its reach to Kathmandu, Nepal.
2- Bosch eAxle kit
The Bosch eAxle is a highly efficient, compact, and affordable electric car conversion kit designed for both battery-electric vehicles and hybrid applications.
This unit integrates the electric motor, transmission, and power electronics, driving the vehicle’s axle directly. Its compact design saves installation space and simplifies the conversion process.
The Bosch eAxle is ideal for those seeking a primary drive solution or an additional eAxle to enhance their car’s performance.
Highlights
- Advanced Efficiency: Utilizing silicon carbide semiconductor technology, the Bosch eAxle achieves 96% efficiency, providing more range while reducing battery size.
- Cost-Effective Design: Integrating all components into a single, compact system eliminates the need for extra parts and costly connecting cables, making it a budget-friendly option for car conversion.
- Versatile Application: With high scalability (50-300KW), multiple voltage levels (400/800V), and great flexibility, the Bosch eAxle can be used in various vehicle types, catering to specific customer needs.
- Performance Boost: Operating at 800V with silicon carbide semiconductors, the eAxle not only increases performance but also reduces the size of the electric motor, enhancing the overall efficiency of the vehicle.
Specifications
- Scalable output – 50-300 kW
- Scalable torque – 1000-5000 NM driveshaft
- Top speed of the electric motor (400V, 800V) – 16000/min, 18500/min
- Weight at a power output of 150kW – approx. – 90kg
Scalable output | 50-300 kW |
Scalable torque | 1000-5000 NM driveshaft |
Weight | approx. 90kg |
Price of Bosch eAxle Kit in India
The company is looking to expand its business in India by partnering with OEMs. The cost of the eAxle kit is still not disclosed by the company.
3- Loop Moto
Based in Gurugram, Loop Moto provides a compact electric powertrain with Lithium-ion batteries, a battery management system (BMS), and other essential accessories to convert conventional vehicles into electric vehicles (EVs).
Loop Moto’s retrofitted electric cars are perfect for personal travel, app-based ride-hailing, and employee transportation.
The company has earned ARAI certification to convert various car models, including the
- Maruti Suzuki Wagon R
- Maruti Suzuki Dzire
- Maruti Suzuki Swift
- Hyundai Accent
- Honda Amaze
- Hyundai Verna
- Honda Civic, and
- Honda City
Highlights
- The company offers customized solutions to convert any kind of vehicle. The Lithium-ion battery comes with LiFePO4 technology along with a 7.8kwh smart battery management system. The battery provides a range of 180km on one charge.
- The conversion kit comes with a gearless gearbox, 3.3kW AC charger, and 15kw 3-phase AC motor.
- The company claims a top speed of 80km/hr.
- The company offers retrofitting services at Pan India locations.
Specifications
Specifications | Details |
Range | 180 km |
Top Speed | 80kmph |
Motor | 15kw 3-phase AC motor |
Charger | AC onboard 3.3kW charger |
Battery type | LiFePO4 with smart BMS |
Battery capacity | 17.8kWh |
Gearbox | Gearless |
Price of Loop Moto Kit in India
The cost of the Loop Moto electric car conversion kit is between Rs. 3 Lac to Rs. 5 Lakhs.
4- FolksMotor
Folks Motor (P.) Limited, based in Delhi-NCR, is said to be India’s first company to retrofit cars with hybrid electric technology. With over 10 years of experience in electric car technology, they offer a variety of products for 20 leading car models.
Their offerings include hybrid electric retrofit cars, kits for converting regular cars into hybrids, and green car care services.
Here are some key specifications of the Folksmotor Hybrid Electric Retrofit Kit:
Specifications | Details |
Decrease in Running Cost | 30% to 50% |
Emissions Reduction | 50% & 100% of your Run with Zero Emissions |
Drive Mode | EV Automatic Mode within Manual Transmission (Electric Mode) |
Top Speed | Up to 60/80 Kmph |
Battery Range | 50/100 Kms (Internally Recharged) |
Charging Option | Optional Plug-In Charging Port Available |
Price | Rs 100,000 to 200,000. |
5- E-Trio
To increase the electric adoption rate among existing vehicle owners, E-Trio was founded in the year 2016 by Sathya Yalamanchili.
To accelerate electric mobility in India, E-Trio makes conversion kits for transforming traditional fuel vehicles into e-vehicles.
The company also got approval from the Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) for its effort in converting the existing ICE (diesel/petrol) vehicles into electric vehicles.
E-trio has been converting cars like the Maruti Alto, WagonR, and Dzire. And it offers two types of conversion kits EV-150 and EV-180.
The company claims that Maruti Alto, WagonR, and Dzire can be converted into an E-car within 48 hours with the help EV-180 kit.
The company also purchases old cars from the market and converts them into e-cars by removing all the petrol or diesel-related components.
It sells both conversion kits and retrofitted cars in the market.
Highlights of the Kit
- EV-150 and EV-180 are electric conversion kits that transform ICE vehicles into electric vehicles.
- It is the only retrofitting start-up company in India to get government approval for its conversion kits.
- The conversion kits comprise of Lithium-ion battery, motor, traction controller, onboard charger, aux parts like power steering, DC-DC converter, and gearbox designed by E-Trio. To adjust the extra weight, the company also modifies the suspension.
- Battery ranges up to 150km to 180 km depending upon the conversion kit chosen.
- The approximate cost of the kit is 4 lakhs. It may seem an expensive investment but considering long-term savings after switching to an electric car is unquestionable.
Specifications of the Kit
Battery type | Lithium-ion |
Range | 150km on EV-150 & 180km on EV-180 |
Price of E Trio Kit in India
The price of the E-trio electric car conversion kit is Starting at 4 Lakh in India.
6- Bharat Kit
Founded in 2016, Bharat Kits also known as Bharatmobi is a Hyderabad-based company that retrofits hatchbacks and sedans.
The company deals in conversion kits as well as in retrofitted cars.
The company has also received ARAI and ICAT certifications for converting Maruti Alto, WagonR, and Swift Dzire.
Highlights of the Kit
- Bharat Kits electric car conversion kits include a battery, controller, motor, gearbox, DC-DC, onboard charger, instrument cluster, AC complete kit, vacuum pump, charging gun, and kit gear selector.
- The company offers a customized LiFePO4 battery that provides a range of 80 km with one-time charging. The charging time of the battery is approximately four to five hours. It can attain a top speed of 80kmph with it.
- The kit comes with a well-structured battery management system along with a battery controller. The conversion kit has a motor of 15KW power.
- The battery capacity changes as per the models of the cars. For hatchback the battery capacity is 12kwh and for sedan it is 15kwh. As per individual needs, the company also provides customized conversion kits.
- The retrofitting of the car takes place at the company’s facility unit in Hyderabad. The whole conversion process takes a week to complete.
- The approximate cost of retrofitting is 5 lacks. This cost includes converting into an e-car, and a telematics system to monitor cell temperature, battery temperature, and vehicle health from a computer or laptop.
Specifications of the Kit
Range | 80 km |
Top Speed | 80 kmph |
Motor | 15 kW |
Voltage | 96V |
Battery type | LiFePO4 |
Charging time | 4-5 hours |
Price of Bharat Kits in India
The price of a Bharat Electric Car Conversion Kit in India is Approx. 5 Lakhs.
7- Rexnamo Electro
Based in Ghaziabad, Rexnamo Electro has offered retrofitted electric cars and conversion kits for the last ten years.
The company converts cars for around Rs 2,40,000 and Rs 5,70,000. Depending on different factors the conversion price varies.
The company also restores and converts vintage cars like Lancers, Contessa, Volkswagens, Old BMWs, Porsches, and Honda City.
Highlights of Kit
- The conversion kits offer a top speed of 88kmph along with a driving range of 80km in single charging. This conversion kit is compatible with cars like Swift and Indica and costs approx. Rs 8,56,680.
- Vintage cars like Lancers, Contessa, Volkswagens, Old BMWs, Porsches, and Honda City can be electrified by using the latest Lithium-ion batteries in around RS 32,79,677.
Price of Rexnamo Electro Kit in India
The cost of a Rexnamo conversion kit for a compact car like Indica or Swift is approximately Rs 8,56,680.
Vintage Cars like Porsches, Volkswagens, Old BMWs, Honda City, lancers, and Honda City Contessa can be fully electrified at Rs 32,79,677.
8- Northway Motorsport
Northway Motorsport, the electric vehicle division of Hemank Auto Parts Pvt Ltd, is headquartered in Pune and specializes in developing high-end EV drivetrain solutions.
Focused on designing, developing, and manufacturing units for electric vehicle powertrains, the company offers advanced technological products across all aspects of the EV powertrain domain.
Northway Motorsport provides conversion kits only for specific car models listed on their website, ensuring quality and compatibility.
Additionally, they have developed an electric vehicle that boasts a range of 240 km and features a fast-charging capability, requiring just one hour to fully charge.
Highlights of the Kit
- The company provides conversion kits for Maruti Dzire and several hatchbacks.
- Drive EZ and Travel EZ are the two kits provided for Maruti Dzire. The range of Drive EZ is 120km which goes up to 250km in the case of Travel EZ. The charging time of Drive EZ is 5-6 hours which is 8-10 hours in the case of Travel EZ.
The company also offers compact conversion kits compatible with hatchbacks like Polo, Swift, and Beat. These kits come with a 120 km range and 5-6 hours of charging time.
Price of Northway Motorsport Kit in India
The conversion kit launched by the company for Maruti Ignis is Rs. 12.50 Lakh for the Drive EZ and 14.50 Lakh for the Travel EZ variant.
9- Tadpole
Tadpole is an innovative company that specializes in retrofitting vintage and classic cars into electric vehicles (EVs).
Founded by Jawaad Khan in 2020, the company has gained significant recognition for its pioneering work in the EV sector by maintaining the essence of traditional vehicles while converting them to eco-friendly electric alternatives.
The company is closely associated with the Center of Excellence for Research on Clean Air (CERCA) at IIT-Delhi.
The process of doing this is by changing the engine only.
The originality of the car remains the same by removing the kit and putting your engine back.
The startup has already retrofitted vintage cars like
- Volkswagen Beetle (1948)
- An Austin 10 (1936)
Modern models of four-wheelers like –
- The Maruti Swift Dezire and
- Hyundai Santro
Tadpole Projects has retrofitted 15 cars across different categories till the present day like
- Vintage,
- Passenger,
- Logistic, and
- Premium.
It is now in the process of working on heavy-duty vehicles.
Specifications of the Kit
- EV Kit- 30 Kw
- Range- 120 km
- Carbon Savings – 3.6g/km
Yes it is impressive that will change the world of ev cars.