Land Rover Defender Adopts In-Wheel Motor for Electric Rest Mods

Another company has introduced a product that converts the original Defender into an electric version.

The UK-based Bedeo Electric Defender uses an in-wheel motor, which Bedeo is packaging as a retrofit kit that could be used in any classic car.

Bedeo specializes in adding electric powertrains to light commercial vehicles, but the company plans to expand to classic cars through its new Reborn Electric: Icons program. The Defender is just the first conversion.

The in-wheel motor is from the same British company Protean, which was acquired by Swedish EV startup NEVS in 2019 and sold to Bedeo in 2021 after NEVS ran into financial difficulties. Chinese automaker Dongfeng previously used Protean motors in its Fengshen E70 sedan. Former EV startup Roadtown also used in-wheel motors in its Endurance pickup truck, which it sourced from a company called Elaphe.

In Bedeo's electric Defender, four in-wheel motors are used for a total output of 483 hp, significantly more than the output of the earlier Defender Bedeo also has its own 75 kwh battery pack, resulting in an international The range is estimated at 153 miles on the WLTP cycle, which is used overseas. Using the more stringent EPA cycle, the range would be lower than this.

Vedeo claims that it is committed to matching the original body weight and driving dynamics in each of these vehicles, in part due to the weight savings resulting from the use of in-wheel motors. In addition to eliminating the internal combustion engine and associated hardware, the use of in-wheel motors also eliminates things like transmissions and driveshafts.

However, there are drawbacks to this technology. In-wheel motors are directly exposed to road debris, saltwater, and various fluids, as well as to vibration and shock.

Bedeo has not disclosed the price of the electric Defender.