Want an electric Trabant? It's already here
DIY electric Trabant conversion - click above for high res gallery
While we were enjoying the look of the updated and all-electric Trabant nT concept that made its debut in Frankfurt, reader Nikki made sure we knew that an electric Trabant is already here. As we can see in the before and after pics, the car looks wonderful (if you, like us, are a fan of the original Trabi's iconic lines) in its new gorgeous blue paintwork. We love it.
Underhood, the old two-stroke engine has been replaced with an EV system that uses ten 58 Ah Odyssey Lead acid gel batteries, a Zapi controller with regen and speed limit to move the old Eastern Bloc vehicle to 70 mph (the old petrol Trabant topped out at about 62 mph). DIY mechanic Martin, in Bristol, UK, needed to work around a lot of interesting issued to make the Elektrotrabi, including finding only one place to put the controller and needing to plug holes created by the conversion with an aluminum plate. Find more pictures over on Flickr.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ernie 7:20PM (9/29/2009)
The very fact that ABG or any of its commenters could possibly find this car "beautiful" while simultaneously finding a Prius or Insight ugly makes me look at this post with an enormous question mark floating over my head.
But at least it's got a nice paint job. I'll agree that the paint looks nice.
Reply
Zweck 1:28AM (10/03/2009)
If you asked the average person to draw a car. They would draw something like this. Though the plastic wheel covers are hideous, it's clean uncluttered lines and simple grille and headlights are pleasing to behold. Though the Prius and Insight (Incite) are more space and aerodynamically efficient due to computer aided design, they look like bulbous monstrosities in comparison. And what the fuck is up with that new trend of stretching the lights all the way up to the A-pillar?
Cheers,
Matt