An Electric Land Rover, Reimagined: Utility, Simplicity and Long-Term Thinking

For some owners, a classic vehicle is a weekend indulgence. For others, it is a working vehicle; expected to perform, adapt and endure. For Chichester-based Dr Ted Hawkins, his Land Rover falls firmly into the latter category. Converted to electric power by Retroelectric, it is a vehicle designed not for show, but for regular, real-world use.

This is a story about practicality, thoughtful engineering and the quiet satisfaction of making something old work better in a modern environment.

A Purposeful Starting Point

Ted’s Land Rover began life as an ex-military vehicle — robust, characterful and unapologetically functional. From the outset, it was acquired with the intention of eventual electrification. Traditional running costs, particularly fuel consumption hovering around 17 miles per gallon, made it clear that the vehicle would need rethinking if it was to be used as intended.

Rather than viewing this as a limitation, Ted saw an opportunity. The Land Rover’s simplicity and honesty made it an ideal candidate for electric conversion. A way to retain its utility while eliminating inefficiency and unnecessary complexity.

Why Electric Made Sense

Ted was already living with electric vehicles. Alongside the Land Rover, he had a Skoda Enyaq and a Smart electric car, both charged at home using a high-speed charger supplemented by solar generation.

The decision to convert the Land Rover was therefore not experimental, but rather a logical extension of an existing lifestyle. Electric power offered daily usability, predictable running costs and a driving experience better suited to rural and semi-rural life around Chichester and its surrounds.

Choosing Retroelectric

As with most modern buyers, Ted’s research began online. He spoke with several conversion specialists, but what stood out about Retroelectric was the clarity and simplicity of their approach.

Rather than overcomplicating the process, the focus was on robust engineering, sympathetic integration and long-term reliability. This philosophy aligned closely with the Land Rover itself and with Ted’s own mindset.

Restoration, Conversion and Reality

As is often the case with older, classic vehicles, the restoration element of the project proved necessary to get the base vehicle solid and ready to electrify. This was an opportunity for the team to help with a restoration, paint and updated electrical loom in the Land Rover.

“What stood out was the support beyond the workshop. Retroelectric managed the DVLA  process and provided thorough aftersales support once the vehicle was delivered, ensuring that the Land Rover could be used with confidence from day one.”

Stealth, Simplicity and Daily Use

Today, the electric Land Rover is used almost every day. Quiet, responsive and surprisingly discreet, it delivers a driving experience that contrasts sharply with expectations.

Ted particularly values its stealth. On the move, there is almost a total absence of obvious giveaways that it is electric, without garish graphics or any modern cues. Among friends and acquaintances, the electric Land Rover is well known and widely admired.

“Everyone I know, knows about the electric Landy and raves about it, I likes that it’s stealth on the move too”

For Ted, the conversion reflects a willingness to think differently. Upcycling the vehicle, reusing components and keeping the vehicle on the road to be enjoyed. These things are a source of pride, reinforcing the idea that sustainability and classic vehicles need not be at odds.

A Vehicle for the Long Term

This Land Rover is very much a keeper. Like many Retroelectric clients, Ted sees the conversion not as a short-term experiment, but as an investment in longevity. It is a vehicle intended to remain in the family, handed down rather than replaced.

Modern Capability, Classic Character

An electric Land Rover conversion is not about softening the vehicle’s character. It is about sharpening its relevance.

In this case, electrification has enhanced what the Land Rover always was a dependable icon, adaptable and ready for daily use. By removing inefficiency and mechanical compromise, the vehicle has been given a future as practical as its past.

For Retroelectric, stories like this highlight the breadth of what electric conversion can achieve, from refined sports cars to the most well-known of utility vehicles — always with the same underlying principle: respect the original, and make it fit for the decades ahead.