Converting Cars Ready for the Scrap Heap IS the REAL way to Save the Planet!

If you really want to help the planet, don't buy a TESLA! Save on the huge energy cost of building new electric cars. The real way to reduce waste and emissions is to convert ordinary old cars to electric that would otherwise be scrapped. This Fiat Multipla is a prime example but there are many other 10-20 year old car out there that fit the bill.

[paulrowley]

Excellent motoring journalism. It’s about 30 years since Top Gear reported intelligently about anything. Glad someone is taking over. 👍🏻

[swisscarguy]

The Multipla is basically the perfect vehicle for an EV conversion with its space frame construction and the empty space underneath the floors. The quirky design also fits perfectly with the futuristic EV theme (even though the pre-facelift models like this with the hump below the windscreen were not very aerodynamic, which will reduce range at higher speeds).
By the way, the empty space underneath the floors was supposed to house additional natural gas tanks as the Multipla was offered in a methane-powered 'Natural Power' version in some markets.

[ukmud]

Old car and retro car drivers are the original recycling gurus

[LotCARS]

What a great concept and an idea that will offer options for the ever growing ULEZ restrictions. Great film Jack!

[balazssimonffy]

Multipla is the best base for an EV because it was designed to be! An electric version was produced already in 1998 (you can find info/photos on the web), but finally not distributed. But actually it had an other electric version too after 2010 in China, under Zotye brand btw. So the space under the car was leave not only for the CNG tanks but for the batteries too as the whole Multipla-concept was designed for the future. Also, there is simply no more practical car to use, especially in a city. Don't forget that it is 3.99m long and comfortable for 6 people while fun to drive! I really think it deserves a lot more respect from at least one "expert" than junk crap.

[raypurchase]

I'm looking forward to the day when there's an inexpensive off-the-shelf kit which can be easily adapted to older cars.

[dwn]

Makes sense, but I can see a lot more older classics being converted and being more of the business as technology and knowledge on these conversions, builds. Basically those with the money to fund this period of transition. Fast forward 5-10 years from now and I’d like to imagine a big, cost effective conversion industry existing, alongside a revived coach building one.

[simonelliott]

Exactly what should be happening! Develop good replacement electric drives for cars like the Multipla, that are not "classics" but every day transport at the right price. The Multipla, whilst not to everyone's taste looks wise, was a great family car and the added bonus of a centre front seat made it really practical. I would definitely like to see an electric version. Great video!

[pentagrammotorsport]

I’d personally rather see this era of car converted to EV than classics.

[Mesterlovesz]

As a Multipla owner and fan, I can tell you that even in our small country (Hungary) there are a lot of people who will die for an electric Multipla. Tipically because they are parents with a lot of kids and a low revenue, so they need to save on everything like gas, diesel or benzin. If the engineers figure out where to put a bigger accu pack with at least 200 km range, that would be a gamechanger!

[alunrees]

I was seriously considering undertaking an electric conversion ten years ago. I still think it’s a great idea, and still don’t have enough money to do it!

[johnandrews]

Jack I agree this is a positive way forward and I would love to convert my current 14 year old car to become an EV. I do wonder if manufacturers could see this as well and specifically design conversion kits that would integrate with cars, like VW Audi and their successful platform sharing. I'm sure OEM would charge the cost of a new car but even if it grows a cottage industry of small companies doing cheaper and likely better, it keeps cars already made, out of the junk yards/land fills. Best piece of automotive journalism I've seen in a long time. Chapeau!

[FFVoyager]

Excellent idea. I think a Rover 75 Tourer would be an interesting conversation.

[spotty_cat]

Imagine the fun you could have at the traffic lights in a high voltage multipla!

The single most environmentally conscious thing you can do is just keep driving an old car and keep it in good nick. It may pollute more per mile than a newer car, but the pollution generated building that newer car and scrapping the old one is vastly greater than that generated by simply continuing to drive an older car. And electric cars are rolling toxic waste dumps. Battery life is very limited and then you dump hundreds or thousands of pounds of highly toxic materials into the earth, and replace it with new batteries which themselves have generated loads of pollution in their creation. Forgetting about cost for the moment, and just from a TOTAL environmental perspective, it’s stupid. Then factor in cost and it becomes ludicrously stupid.

I just drove to work and back in a beater 1980 VW Scirocco, a zippy, sporty and highly practical car that gets 30+ mpg. I paid only $35 for it more than 20 years ago, and all-in, including a swap to a more powerful and efficient 1990s VW Golf motor sourced from a junkyard, I’m still into it for well under $2000. That’s under $200 per year in ownership costs (not counting taxes and insurance which are both laughably cheap). And it’s still hilariously fun to drive and abuse.

Now THAT is environmentalism! 👍

[jdeckard]

The Multipla is a great car to covert, I ran one for 10 years, Great space and practicality, I'd love an electric one !

[antking]

makes perfect sense to me Jack - I love the concept. My 1976 Lotus Elite which has been shed bound for 6 yrs is a serious contender for this as the way forward for me as a classic car owner in the next few years. Just saving up the budget! Thanks

[scottjohnson]

Some good auto journalism there Jack. I do miss seeing the 308 but that was worth the time spent watching.

[m.r.]

Just saving money to convert my 206. Great video as always.

[tjshill]

I can see the appeal kind of however I will never remove the V6 engine out of my 98 156 because some cars are just to good in the first place to contemplate such a conversion