Undoubtedly one of the most recognised classic cars on the road, the VW Beetle remains an old favourite. With its quirky looks and reliability, it was the first car to achieve an outstanding twenty million sales!
With Beetle lovers wanting to maintain this unique classic, the option to convert the car to electric is becoming an increasingly popular one. But what is the main motivation for people wanting to convert their classic Beetle and are they happy with the results? We’ve spoken to one of our customers at Retroelectric to find out . . .
Myra has been a Beetle owner since 1975, so it’s safe to say she’s a real lover of the car!
Q: Why did you want to convert your Beetle to an EV?
A: I’m not sure what the attraction was, maybe the shape or sound, I must have become imprinted on them from an early age! When thinking about what would be a great looking EV, then it was going to have to be a Beetle.
Q: What was the best and worst thing about the Beetle before you converted it to an EV?
A: The best thing prior to converting to an EV was the fact that the car was classic but in good condition plus the sound I guess. But living near to the South Circular and the low emission zone, plus the increasing difficulty in finding a good mechanic who was familiar with classic Beetles meant that something had to change.
Q: Now it’s electric, what things do you most like about driving it?
A: I enjoy having an EV because it’s low emission and easy to drive – it’s like having an automatic! It’s easy to charge and so much cheaper than before.
Q: Is there anything you don’t like about it being electric?
A: I have to remember that it’s quiet, so I’m being extra aware of pedestrians.
Q: Is it now easier to drive than before?
A: It is in terms of not having to change gear, I can also recharge the 12-volt battery just by running the car outside my house. This had been a problem in the past, in the winter the 12-volt battery was prone to running low.
Q: Does it get a lot of attention when you park it up/drive past?
A: Absolutely, I’ve had so much interest and fun conversations with people when parking, charging, at traffic lights etc.
Q: What sort of journeys do you do with the car, are you using it more than before?
A: I make several shortish journeys a week which fits with my lifestyle.
Q: Anything else you want to say about your Electric Beetle?
A: An important factor for me was the aesthetics. I wanted an EV car, but looking around at newer ones they just weren’t so pleasing on the eye as the Beetle. There are now very few classic Beetles on the road, and few in Mexico too, so I am really pleased that the option of becoming EVs will enable these lovely cars to continue!
Q: What was working with Retroelectric Cars like?
A: I’m absolutely thrilled with the end result, the car runs perfectly and looks fantastic! The team were extremely helpful, answered all my questions and kept me informed every step of the way.
We’re so happy to help Myra enjoy driving her Beetle for many more years to come!
Whether you’re looking to drive greener, or you want to bring more longevity to your classic, Retroelectric are here to help. Contact us to see what we can do for you.