As the global automotive industry races toward electrification, a niche but growing sector is drawing interest from investors, collectors, and engineers alike: the electric retrofit of classic cars.
But according to UK-based EV company Everrati, not all conversions are created equal — and rushing to electrify without understanding the essence of the original vehicle risks losing more than just the sound of the engine.
“Trust me when I say that there’s a world of difference between converting a car and reimagining it,” says Justin Lunny, Founder & CEO of Everrati. “We’re not in the business of stripping out what made these vehicles iconic just to fit a battery where an engine used to be.”
Founded in 2019, Everrati specializes in taking historically significant vehicles — like the Porsche 911 (964), Land Rover Series IIA, and Ford GT40 — and giving them a second life through high-end electric conversions. But Lunny is quick to emphasize that the company’s ethos isn’t about swapping powertrains and calling it innovation. It’s about engineering a new experience that stays true to the vehicle’s identity.
“Every decision we make is about honoring the soul of the car while giving it a new life for today’s roads,” he explains. “You can’t force history into a new shape. You have to work with it, understand it, and build on it to make it better.”
The retrofit EV market is growing. According to data from Allied Market Research, the global EV retrofit market is projected to reach over $10 billion by 2030, driven by rising fuel prices, stricter emissions regulations, and growing consumer interest in sustainability. For luxury and heritage vehicle owners, the calculus is clear: keep their vehicles relevant — or risk parking them permanently.
But the retrofit sector faces growing scrutiny. Many conversions on the market today rely on off-the-shelf components or one-size-fits-all battery systems. These can strip the car of its original balance, driving dynamics, or weight distribution — key characteristics that made many classics so celebrated in the first place.
This is where Everrati seeks to differentiate itself. The company’s engineering team, including former OEM specialists, creates tailored powertrains for each model, with custom-built battery enclosures, regenerative braking, and re-tuned suspension systems to preserve the original ride quality.
“We don’t treat these vehicles like blank slates,” Lunny says. “Everything we do is about enhancing, not replacing.”
Unlike many modern EV companies, Everrati does not manufacture new vehicles. Instead, it restores original chassis and bodywork — working within regulatory guidelines to ensure structural integrity while incorporating cutting-edge EV systems.
This approach has earned the company international attention from collectors, designers, and sustainability-focused investors alike. It also opens the door to wider applications. In 2022, Everrati launched “Powered by Everrati,” a division aimed at providing electrification solutions for commercial partners and specialty OEMs — blending heritage preservation with scalable engineering.
What distinguishes Everrati in a crowded EV conversation is its emphasis on cultural and emotional value. In many cases, these aren’t just vehicles — they’re heirlooms, investments, or emotional touchstones.
As Lunny puts it: “We’re not just building cars. We’re preserving stories.”
The next decade will see enormous shifts in how consumers define luxury, performance, and sustainability in mobility. Analysts predict that EV adoption will reach between 40% and 50% of global new car sales by 2030. But that still leaves millions of internal combustion vehicles on the road — and on the margins of an evolving transportation landscape.
For Everrati, the mission is less about replacing the past and more about making sure it has a future.
As regulators crack down on emissions and cities restrict access for petrol-powered vehicles, the demand for compliant, zero-emissions classics may continue to rise — particularly among younger collectors who value both heritage and environmental impact.
“Electrification doesn’t mean letting go of what made these cars special,” Lunny says. “It means finding a way to make them drivable again — not just displayable.”