The Daring Electric Conversion of a British Classic

WORDS AND PHOTOS BY JEROME ANDRE

IN the sun-dappled Bristol, UK, development workshop, a superb 1993 Arrow Red and Santorini Black Defender sits quietly. This isn’t a preamble to another of its rugged adventures over rocky terrains; instead, we are here to discover its journey into an utterly new frontier—electrification.

To the Land Rover purists and adventurers, the Defender’s hearty diesel grunt or the V-8’s rumble is music to the ears. But let’s imagine it combining forces with the silent power of electric drive synonymous with unbridled exploration across both serene and unforgiving landscapes.

In a world where progress often comes at the cost of nostalgia, a novel electric conversion system juxtaposes the cherished classic Defender with cutting-edge electric technology, heralding an unexpected alliance. Electrification, particularly within the sacred halls of classic motoring, might initially ruffle a few feathers, and the concept of transplanting a serene, electric powertrain into the brawny, mud-slinging Defender could well be perceived as downright iconoclastic to the devout aficionados.

But delve a smidge deeper, beyond the potential sacrilege, and the notion of an electric Defender tantalizingly begins to unfurl its appeal. Imagine, if you will, the silent torque surging, empowering it to glide over hills and obstacles with newfound grace, all whilst eschewing the traditional mechanical cacophony.

Enter the team at Fellten (meaning Lightning in Welsh), composed of brilliant minds and impressive craftsmen. Based in Bristol, the company has made a name for itself around the world by designing and producing conversion systems for the industry and Hollywood studios - and now, they’ve set their sights on the mighty Landy.

At its core, Fellten designs, engineers, manufactures, and distributes OEM and aftermarket battery packs, electric motors, and complete bolt-in, plug-in conversion systems for Porsches and Classic Minis (approved by MINI). Its footprint spans the UK, Australia, North America, and Europe, where its commitment to excellence shines through as it sets industry standards for quality, safety, reliability, and production volume. The company’s upcoming South Gloucestershire production facility is poised to deliver hundreds of battery packs per year to OEMs and conversion systems to its approved international network of conversion specialists.