Electrification of older cars was the focus of courses held by Iðan and Electric Classic Cars
From 12–17 April, Iðan Education Centre hosted ambitious courses on the electrification of older cars in collaboration with the British company Electric Classic Cars. Richard “Moggy” Morgan, the company's founder and owner, came to Iceland with his colleague Mike to share their expertise in the electrification of classic vehicles.
The courses were held with the aim of bringing the latest knowledge in this field to Iceland, enhancing the skills of professionals, and creating a platform where different groups of car enthusiasts could come together. The project combined an interest in SUVs, older cars, and the electrification of transport, while also highlighting the potential of giving older vehicles a new lease of life with modern technology.
Electric Classic Cars is among the world's most renowned companies in the field of electrifying classic cars. For years, Richard “Moggy” Morgan has been a leader in the development and execution of converting older cars to electric power. He has owned, restored, and raced classic cars for decades, while also working for over twenty years in the energy sector, where he has assisted some of the world's largest companies in reducing their carbon emissions. This unique blend of experience from the automotive world and sustainability has made Electric Classic Cars one of the world's leading experts in the electrification of older vehicles.
During the first few days, two theoretical courses were held, intended for both enthusiasts and professionals interested in converting older cars into electric vehicles. The aim of the course was to share the knowledge and experience that Electric Classic Cars has accumulated over more than ten years of performing such conversions.
The courses covered all the main aspects of car electrification, from the basic structure of electric cars and component selection to the design of wiring, battery housings, safety systems, and control units. Special emphasis was placed on factors such as weight distribution, and support and mounting points for batteries and electric motors. The design and production of battery housings, controls, gauges, and the latest developments in the industry were also discussed, including V2L (Vehicle to Load) technology and the use of heat pumps in electric cars.
Upon completion of the course, participants had gained a good understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in electrifying older cars and had gained increased confidence to tackle such projects themselves.
The highlight of the week was a three-day practical course where participants worked together on a real conversion project. A 2007 Land Rover Defender on 38-inch tires, previously owned by the travel service ÍSAK, was converted into an electric car.
The goal of the practical course was clear: to install a high-voltage system from a 2023 Nissan Leaf with a 62 kWh battery into the Defender and drive the car out at the end of the course.
The course was intended for those with a good knowledge of electric cars and high-voltage systems who want to gain practical experience in such conversions. The emphasis was on demonstrating how to install a high-voltage system in a Land Rover Defender and connect it to the existing powertrain, what equipment is needed to activate the Nissan Leaf high-voltage system, and how to ensure the safe execution of the project.
Participants also received detailed instruction on safety measures and correct procedures when working with high-voltage systems, as well as a review of the challenges and risk factors to consider when converting older cars into electric vehicles.
At the end of the course, participants had gained tangible knowledge of the steps required to convert an older car into an electric car, increased their ability to work safely with high-voltage systems, and gained experience in installing pre-designed solutions for the electrification of older vehicles, so-called "EV conversion kits."
The practical course was not just about demonstrating the technology behind the conversion but also about actually carrying it out. The goal was to complete the installation of the electrical system and make the car roadworthy before the course ended.
That goal was achieved, and the Land Rover Defender was successfully started and test-driven at the end of the course. The project clearly demonstrated how older vehicles can be repurposed and given a new lease of life with modern technology instead of being scrapped.
The next steps involve continued testing of the car in Icelandic conditions. The experience from the project will provide valuable information about the potential of electric SUVs in Icelandic tourism and under challenging driving conditions where reliability and range are crucial.
Participants were very pleased with the courses and the collaboration with Electric Classic Cars. The project clearly demonstrated how classic cars, specially modified jeeps, and the latest electric vehicle technology can be combined, guided by the principles of sustainability, innovation, and reuse.
The courses are part of Iðan's increased focus on education about new technology in the automotive industry and underscore the importance of Icelandic professionals having access to specialized knowledge in the field of transport electrification. Collaborating with leading global experts provides a unique opportunity to acquire new knowledge from abroad and bring it into the Icelandic professional environment.
The courses also showed how electrifying older cars can create new opportunities for the automotive sector and contribute to increased sustainability by extending the lifespan of vehicles that might otherwise be taken out of service.
Iðan extends its sincere thanks to Richard “Moggy” Morgan and Mike for coming to Iceland and for their outstanding sharing of knowledge, as well as to all the participants who helped make the courses both educational and memorable.
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