French start-up proposes to transform diesel vehicles into electric version

Many motorists invoke the question of price when it comes to switching to an electric model. But rather than buying an electric car, it is now possible to "convert" the vehicle, replacing the engine with a zero emission solution.This operation is nevertheless expensive. The French start-up Transition-One therefore seeks to make it more accessible: the company claims to have developed a process offering a relatively affordable price.

A conversion for 5,000 euros

The process of converting a thermal vehicle to the electric, called the " retrofit Is nothing new. It remains relatively complex. For each vehicle, it is necessary to adapt specific parts to a car that has not been designed to receive an electric motor. This explains the high price of the operation, despite its eligibility for premiums proposed by the government.The founder of Transition-One, Aymeric Libeau, claims to be able to realize retrofit For 8,000 euros, by offering dedicated kits. Once the conversion premium of this kit has been deducted, the rate is reduced to 5,000 euros. " I sell it to people who can not afford to buy a brand new electric car at 20,000 euros. We are transforming the top-selling models in Europe into electric cars ".

experiments

Fact, Transition-One does not transform (yet) any vehicle. At present, only six models are concerned, among which Twingo II Renault, the C1 of Citroën, theAygo from Toyota and the Polo from Volkswagen. A prototype made from a 2009 Renault Twingo has already achieved a test of 5,000 kilometers without failure.

The company admits that its process is still experimental stage, while remaining optimistic: its goal is to have achieved 100,000 conversions within four years. The sign, which seeks to raise 6 million euros for the development of its activity, is preparing to settle in a space of 10,000 m² near Orléans.

The " retrofit Is also a promise of profitability. It would replace a worn engine with a completely new one, thus preserving the other equipment of the vehicle. Aymeric Libeau, for his part, says that with fuel and some of the maintenance less, the conversion can be profitable in three and a half years. Transition-One is also responsible for providing some additional services: a two-year guarantee and an emergency calleCall), compulsory for vehicles marketed after 1^st April 2018.

Today, there is nothing missingapproval of these conversion kits. That's what Transition-One hope to get by the end of the year. Once converted, the electric vehicles will display a top speed of 110 km / h and a range of 100 kilometers. The cars will recharge in three to four hours, remaining preferred for home-work journeys, so.

Source: Electrek