$400,000 Porsche 911 EV: Combining Classic Style with Modern Electric Power

For enthusiasts with a penchant for classic cars and a budget to match, a Dutch company is offering a unique proposition: converting iconic Porsche 911s into bespoke electric vehicles (EVs).

At first glance, these vehicles appear unchanged, reminiscent of the legendary Porsche 911 models driven by Steve McQueen in the 1960s. However, beneath the classic exterior lies a fully modernized electric drivetrain, featuring strategically placed battery packs both front and rear.

Voitures Extravert, the Dutch firm behind these conversions, aims to revive classic cars like the Porsche 911 for everyday use. According to Martijn van Dijk, the company’s director, many of these vintage cars are often relegated to museum displays due to their fragility and safety concerns. By converting them to electric power, Voitures Extravert not only enhances their safety but also equips them with contemporary conveniences such as air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, and fast-charging capabilities that allow for a range of up to 250 miles on a single charge. The car’s software can also be updated remotely, ensuring it remains current with technological advancements.

The conversion process begins with sourcing donor vehicles from Germany, typically those awaiting restoration. Voitures Extravert focuses exclusively on the Porsche 911, leveraging a plentiful supply of available models that may not meet traditional restoration criteria. Unlike conventional restoration practices that emphasize strict adherence to original specifications, Voitures Extravert embraces flexibility by incorporating modern components and even repainting the entire body, departing from classic car restoration norms.

In Germany, the car undergoes a meticulous restoration process, starting with stripping down to bare metal and applying zinc coatings for enhanced durability. Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, the team integrates the electric drivetrain and other modern features into the vehicle. The entire conversion typically spans around 12 months due to the complexity of adapting electric technology to a car originally designed for gasoline engines.

Transforming a classic Porsche 911 into an electric vehicle poses significant challenges, primarily due to the limited space available for housing batteries and other components not initially designed for an electric powertrain. Despite these hurdles, Voitures Extravert ensures that the final product retains the classic Porsche aesthetic while delivering a seamless driving experience that feels cohesive and integrated.

Currently, Voitures Extravert produces a limited number of these bespoke vehicles annually—approximately 9 to 12 cars—but plans to increase production capacity to meet growing demand, including expanding deliveries to American customers. With prices starting at $400,000, these conversions cater to a niche market of collectors and enthusiasts willing to invest in both classic automotive heritage and cutting-edge electric technology.

While such conversions may not significantly impact the overall adoption of EVs due to their exclusive pricing, they represent a bridge between automotive history and sustainable future mobility. As electric vehicle technology continues to advance and costs decline, mainstream adoption of EVs remains on a promising trajectory, offering environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.