Hesitancy by the public to adopt electric vehicles might be losing its footing, but classic car enthusiasts are still worried about what will happen to their beloved vehicles once the transition is complete.
Thankfully, Ford
is here to help. The legendary American automaker might be jumping on the EV bandwagon with full force, but that doesn’t mean it wants to leave its legacy in the dust. Its developed its “Eluminator” electric crate motor to help bring classic models into the future. Jerry
, your car ownership super app
, looked closer at the motor and what it could mean for the resto-mod community. The Ford Eluminator’s potential
The Ford Eluminator motor isn’t exactly new. The unit powers the Mustang Mach-E that Ford released for 2021. But it’s the company’s willingness to sell the motor separately for less than $5,000 that has car enthusiasts and mechanics excited.
To showcase the potential that the motor offers, Ford teamed up with MLe Racecars in North Bend, Washington to modify a 1978 Ford F-100 into a battery-powered pickup.
The Verge
says the truck is a one-off auto show project, but it will definitely spark the imagination of more than a few hobbyists. With the Eluminator’s availability, price, and shape, the possibilities are endless. Designed as a crate motor
, it fits easily under the hood of gas guzzlers
, shortening the list of changes gearheads need to make to classic cars in order to turn them into EVs. Ford’s electric motor gives hope for right-to-repair advocates
The sale of the Eluminator flies in the face of Ford’s biggest EV competitor, Tesla, which keeps its parts and software locked in an iron fist to maintain control of repairs.
More than an open door for giving classic cars a new life, Ford’s project with MLe could signal a different approach to the Apple-like “closed garden” repair ecosystem.
Right now, EV repairs are almost exclusively done through manufacturers. Tesla and other brands have yet to make the tools, resources, and parts available for unaffiliated mechanics to get the job done.
If the blue oval follows up with more parts and maintenance instructions, it could help save the entire independent garage industry from collapse.
Independent repairs could drastically lower the cost of EV ownership
Securing the right to repair electric vehicles would create ripple effects that save drivers thousands of dollars. The Verge spoke to Chris Salvo, the owner of the independent Electrified Garage, who managed to make a $16,000 Tesla repair for only $700.
While electric cars require less maintenance than their dinosaur-burning rivals, those savings could still make a lot of difference for drivers.
Owning an EV still costs more on average than a gas car, thanks to high starting prices and car insurance
rates, but you can save on the switch by shopping for coverage with Jerry. Jerry is an insurance comparison app that shops for low prices with dozens of different insurance companies for free. You will get quotes in seconds, can make changes at any time, and if you ever have any questions, agents are just a text away!
MORE: Should Your Right to Repair Your Car Be Protected?
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