Currently reading: Electric Land Rover Defender has in-wheel motors and 320bhp

British firm Bedeo puts an electric motor on each of the classic 4x4's wheels to claim 1916lb ft of torque

British engineering firm Bedeo has launched an electric conversion of the Land Rover Defender 110, which uniquely features four in-wheel motors and is said to weigh only slightly more than the original 4x4.

Conceived to "maintain its rugged charm while embracing the advantages of electric power", the Defender is the first in a series of Reborn Electric Icons that Bedeo plans to offer. 

It uses a pair of in-wheel motors at each end that have been designed and engineered by subsidiary firm Protean Electric. The set-up took eight years to develop and is claimed to have been tested over 37 million miles across Europe.

Power is supplied by a 75kWh battery that achieves a claimed range of 153 miles and can be topped up in five hours from a 22kW charger. A 50kW fast charger is optionally available, allowing it to fill up in 90 minutes.

Each motor produces 80bhp and 479lb ft, with total output put at 320bhp and 1916lb ft (the latter figure calculated without consideration for the losses in transferring power to the road) for a 0-62mph time of 10sec and a top speed of 80mph.

The system is designed to remove the need for driveshafts and free up space in the centre of the car between the driven wheels. Cabling is also minimised, with two supplying power and another smaller one used by the ECU. 

Bedeo has previously used the technology as part of a range-extender conversion package for ageing diesel vans, in a bid to improve their last-mile delivery capabilities and extend their operating lives. 

Back to top

Bedeo CEO Osman Boyer said: “Through our Reborn Electric Icons program, we're committed to maintaining the original car's kerb weight, charm and driving dynamics while ensuring easy maintenance and delivering the benefits of electrification.

"Reborn Electric Icons represents a natural evolution for us as pioneers in sustainable mobility. The successful conversion of the iconic Defender showcases the versatility of our proprietary technologies and unlocking the in-wheel motor in this way will forge a new path for the future."

Bedeo declined to comment on pricing, but given that the cost will include the £25,000 needed for the motors, as well as the price of an existing Defender with bespoke trimmings, it's likely to be in the region of £100,000.

Jonathan Bryce

Jonathan Bryce
Title: Editorial Assistant

Jonathan is an editorial assistant working with Autocar. He has held this position since March 2024, having previously studied at the University of Glasgow before moving to London to become an editorial apprentice and pursue a career in motoring journalism. 

His role at work involves running Autocar's sister title Move Electric, which is most notably concerned with electric cars. His other roles include writing new and updating existing new car reviews, and appearing on Autocar's social media channels including Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

Join the debate

Comments
6
Add a comment…
jason_recliner 21 April 2024

100grand and you've still got a compromised, shit car. Where do I sign?!?!?!

HiPo 289 19 April 2024

Sounds interesting, but for a very limited audience.  I can't be the only person who would purchase an affordable electric utility vehicle.  Unfortunately Defender electric conversions always seem to be expensive.  Maybe when the Isuzu D-Max electric pick-up arrives in 2025, people will gravitate to those and put pressure on electric Defender conversion companies to cut their prices.

jason_recliner 21 April 2024
HiPo 289 wrote:

Sounds interesting, but for a very limited audience.  I can't be the only person who would purchase an affordable electric utility vehicle.  Unfortunately Defender electric conversions always seem to be expensive.  Maybe when the Isuzu D-Max electric pick-up arrives in 2025, people will gravitate to those and put pressure on electric Defender conversion companies to cut their prices.

BYD has a good one on the way.

PhilO 19 April 2024

Amen!

I'm tired of electric motors being used to create cars with unusable amounts of horsepower (and unreasonable prices).

I wish that more manufacturers would use smaller electric motors, like these wheel-based ones, to create cars that are practical.  For example, how awesome would it be if a small car (like a Mx-5/Miata or Honda Civic) added small (<50 HP) wheel-based motors to the non-engine driven wheels?  No fancy transmissions would be needed, the cars would be instantly converted to AWD, and the added power would be a real plus.  

jason_recliner 21 April 2024
PhilO wrote:

Amen!

I'm tired of electric motors being used to create cars with unusable amounts of horsepower (and unreasonable prices).

I wish that more manufacturers would use smaller electric motors, like these wheel-based ones, to create cars that are practical.  For example, how awesome would it be if a small car (like a Mx-5/Miata or Honda Civic) added small (<50 HP) wheel-based motors to the non-engine driven wheels?  No fancy transmissions would be needed, the cars would be instantly converted to AWD, and the added power would be a real plus.  

Wheel-based motors would ruin the handling of a driver's car as small and light as a MX-5 or Civic.