Classic Land Rover Defender Electrified by UK Company

UK-based EV tech firm BEDEO is partnering with Monarch Defender to bring electrified classic Land Rover Defenders to a global audience. Here’s all you need to know…

Image: BEDEO

At the heart of the project is BEDEO’s in-wheel motor (IWM) system, developed by its subsidiary Protean Electric. Unlike conventional EV conversions, the IWM setup fits electric motors directly into each wheel. This design removes the need for a central motor and drivetrain, which helps reduce weight and frees up space. According to BEDEO, the converted Defender maintains its original kerb weight and still delivers proper off-road ability. This reimagined classic Defender is equipped with a 75 kWh battery pack, which offers a modest claimed operating range of 247 km.

This project forms part of BEDEO’s Reborn Electric: Icons initiative, which was launched in 2024 with the goal of turning classic vehicles into zero-emissions machines without altering their original design too heavily. For Monarch Defender, a company known for building bespoke, high-end Defenders, the move into electrification adds a new dimension to its offerings. It’s the first restoration outfit to use in-wheel motors in a classic Defender.

Related: Review: Land Rover Defender Octa First Edition

“Our goal has never just been to restore these vehicles, but to elevate them,” said Akif Keskin from Monarch Defender. “Electrification was always going to be part of that future, but it had to be done in a way that respects the original. BEDEO’s technology allows us to offer something sustainable without diluting what makes the Defender special.”

BEDEO CEO Osman Boyner echoed this sentiment, saying, “We’ve always believed great design can have a second life with the right technology. Monarch understands how to retain the Defender’s character while updating it for a new era.”

Image: BEDEOs.

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The post Classic Land Rover Defender Electrified by UK Company appeared first on CAR Magazine.


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