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Custom Electric Defender from ECD
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ECD Electrifies Custom Defenders with Help From Tesla

By Mark Jessen - News Published: , Last Updated:

Land Rover Defenders have a well-deserved reputation of being able to go anywhere. Unfortunately, the also tend to not be so good for the environment wherever they go—whether you stick with the LR diesel or swap in a gas engine. It takes a lot of power to get the Defender to be able to go over, around, or through any obstacle, and that translates into a pretty large carbon footprint. ECD Automotive Design is changing that up by offering a Land Rover Defender that is powered by a Tesla Motor Direct Drive. It’s a custom electric Defender that lives up to its reputation while being good for the environment.

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Custom Electric Defender from ECD front

The base vehicle for this build is a four-door Defender 110 model. The old, gas-guzzling engine is removed, and the Tesla Motor Direct Drive system with a 100 kWh battery is installed. In case you’re worried about performance, the Tesla system gives the Defender a 0 to 60 miles per hour time of 5.5 seconds. That doesn’t mean much if you can’t get where you’re going, though, but fortunately, the electric Defender has a 220-mile range. You may not be going on super long road trips, but that kind of range will get you to many locations nonetheless.

Of course, an electric engine means that you won’t have that iconic Defender sound, but when you consider the instant torque that you get from the electric engine, you’ll feel more than adequately compensated. Plus, the battery’s weight and location creates a lower centre of gravity, and that could translate into better off-road capability.

Custom Electric Defender

“The all-new Electric Defender from ECD Automotive Design combines the nostalgic exterior of a classic Defender with an all-electric Tesla Motor Direct Drivetrain,” says ECD’s web site. The look of a Defender and the good of an electric motor is going to cost you, though. ECD hasn’t shared any pricing, but their lowest cost Defender starts at about USD$160,000. Take on the cost of converting to electric and the electric system itself, and you’ll pay a pretty good price.

Check it out

Custom Electric Defender from ECD back chair

Custom Electric Defender from ECD back view

Custom Electric Defender from ECD

You’ll also like:
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Custom, Electric Vehicles, Vehicles
Mark Jessen
Contributor

Mr Mark Jessen

Mark Jessen studied English at Brigham Young University, completing a double emphasis in creative writing and professional writing/editing. After graduating, Mark went to work for a small publisher as their book editor. After a brief time as a freelance writer, Mark entered the corporate world as a copywriter. These days, his hours are spent mostly in proofing and editing, though he continues to create content for a wide variety of projects. In 2017, Mark completed UCLA's Creative Writing Certification. A prolific writer, Mark has over 20 years of experience in journalism.

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