A Volvo P1800 EV does sound like a great idea right off the bat. The design of the Volvo P1800 is very pretty and timeless, and also the Roger Moore used while being The Saint.
Not only there former James Bond, but also Leif Tufvesson has a passion for the car and a dual electric motor Volvo P1800 EV originated from this. This should convince Non-EV guys to embrace the electric age, right? Let’s get behind the wheel of Leif Tufvesson’s newest concept vehicle, the Volvo P1800 EV with dual electric motors.
Leif, the founder and owner of the company Caresto, states that “if you want to develop an electric vehicle to try to appeal to all the car nerds and fanatics, you have to do it with a car they like.” And we couldn’t agree more.
If you want to develop an electric vehicle to try to appeal to all the car nerds and fanatics, you have to do it with a car they like.” And we couldn’t agree more.
Leif Tufvesson
Here to stay
Leif emphasizes that electric cars are here to is here to stay and so are EV Conversions. That much is clear to anyone who has followed the automotive industry in recent years. However, not everyone is so keen to see the internal combustion engine marginalized – not least the real car nuts.
But, even there, something is happening. More and more carmakers have started experimenting with marrying vintage car sheet metal with modern technology to create electric “restomods” or coldrods, if you will.
Fun Facts
Pelle Petterson, a Swedish designer who was then employed by the Italian body shop Frua, created the vehicle in 1961. This was Volvo’s second attempt to break into the sports car industry. The P1900, the first model, did not do well. Quality issues proved deadly for that vehicle, something Volvo would learn from with the P1800.
Parts from the popular Amazon model were utilized for P1800. The P 1800 used nearly identical engines, gearboxes, and suspension as the Amazon. This gave this Volvo the dependability of the Amazon but did not make it the fastest sports car in its class.
Adapt to “Car Nerds”
But, even there, something is happening. More and more carmakers have started experimenting with marrying vintage car sheet metal with modern technology to create electric “restomods” or coldrods, if you will.
When it comes to winning over “car nerds”, Leif speaks from experience. In 2004, he exhibited the Volvo T6 Roadster hot rod concept in the US. It was a big hit. A hot rod built on something other than an American car and with the engine in the back? Despite the stylistic breaks, Tufvesson took home the prestigious “Hot Rod of the Year” award.
The Tech
The battery pack, which is from an older electric car, had to be reduced down to fit in the little Volvo P1800 EV. Because the P1800 GTe’s lithium-ion batteries only have an 11.5 kWh capacity, their estimated range is only about ten miles. The software at first complained, but the decreased capacity and cooling of the automobile eventually made up for it.
Especially when it comes to security, there are a lot of mechanisms that must function. You should have the car’s 400 volts, which are life-threatening, between you and the passenger. So it must be quite safe. The cooling for all the various systems then needs to function. Compared to making a car, it is significantly more sophisticated.
About Leif Tufvesson
Leif’s interest in electric vehicles is reported to have begun five to six years ago when he allegedly had a summer intern gather all the information he could find regarding electric vehicles and the market for them. Two automobile brands were consulted as part of the plan to start converting cars to run on electricity in towns. The first electric car, however, was never completed and was instead converted into a moped. Soon after, Caresto also adapted a quad bike to run on electricity.
Then I discovered a simpler control scheme and an electric motor online. Leif claims that because it was a direct current motor, it was not advanced.
Together with Thomas Andersson, the former CEO of Volvo Sweden and current Head of Business Transformation at Volvo Cars, Leif has created a second firm in addition to the continuing project with the four-seater city car that will serve as a courier car and pod taxi. The business will be known as Nord C Yachts and focus on creating premium hybrid boats that are environmentally friendly. Leif is excited to adapt older boats in addition to developing a brand-new 45-foot yacht.
