Electrogenic unveils its most complex EV conversion to date – a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II
EV conversion specialist Electrogenic is back, showcasing its latest electrification of a classic vehicle. This time, the company truly rolled back the clock in converting a 1929 Rolls-Royce Phantom II into an EV – describing it as its most complex conversion yet. Check this thing out.
Electrogenic is an EV conversion specialist based in the UK that takes classic vehicles and makes them electric using technology it develops 100% in-house. Although the company has since expanded into the US, its conversions have stayed true to its British roots so far, electrifying vehicles like Land Rover Defenders and Series 1s.
Earlier this year, Electrogenic showcased how it had used its propriety drop-in kit to convert a 1960s Jaguar E-Type into an EV, combining a unique look of the past with the modern, zero-emissions technology of the future.
Now, the company shared it has gone even further back in automotive history to deliver an even more unique EV built from a classic – the Rolls-Royce Phantom II.
Electrogenic delivers a sleek, bespoke Rolls-Royce EV
Today, the EV conversion specialist shared details of the one-of-a-kind Rolls-Royce EV, which was built for a private collector with a passion for sustainability. The EV publicly debuted at the Salon Privé – an end-of-summer automotive event in the UK where some of the most prominent developers of luxury and high-performance vehicles showcase their latest work.
Electrogenic shared that only 1,681 Phantom II units were assembled by Rolls-Royce between 1920 and 1935, and now only one features the company’s EV technology. The Phantom II is powered by a 93 kWh battery pack housed within the car’s original architecture with no modifications to the vehicle’s structure. The pack propels a single electric motor mounted between the chassis rails via a custom single-speed direct-drive transmission, delivering 150 kW and 310 Nm of torque.
Electrogenic shared that despite the Phantom II having a drag ratio close to 1, its EV technology is able to garner up to 150 miles in real-world driving scenarios.
The original Rolls-Royce model had a 7.7-liter straight-six engine and gearbox, which, when removed by the EV conversion specialist, left plenty of room for batteries between the chassis rails and under the bonnet beneath a beautiful hand-riveted aluminum cowling you can see in the images above.
Inside the Phantom II, Electrogenic made subtle but effective upgrades that are on-brand for its EV conversion style. For example, the fuel gauge is now an LED state of charge gauge; the amp meter is a power gauge; the oil temperature gauge shows charger temperature, and the water temperature gauge now shows the temperature of the motor.
Still, the conversion was not without its fair share of challenges, given the model is nearly 100 years old. Electrogenic Director Steve Drummond spoke on the company’s latest conversion and its public debut in the UK today:
We’re delighted to reveal this fabulous EV converted Phantom II to the world. It has been an immensely complicated and rewarding project, carried out over the course of 18 months by our team of sector-leading engineers, programmers and fabricators.
This is undoubtedly the most complex classic car EV conversion yet attempted, the stunning results really are a testament to the world-leading talents of our team. We’re immensely proud of the results, and we’re delighted to be unveiling it at Salon Privé, here at Blenheim Palace. It’s the perfect place to reveal such a stately piece of British motoring history, now updated and future-proofed for the next hundred years of clean, silent electric motoring.
Learn more about Electrogenic unique EV conversions here.
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The Stripe logo on a smartphone with U.S. dollar banknotes in the background.
Budrul Chukrut | SOPA Images | LightRocket via Getty Images
Stripe cut 300 jobs, representing about 3.5% of its workforce, mostly in product, engineering and operations, CNBC has confirmed.
The payments company, valued at about $70 billion in the private markets, still expects to increase headcount by 10,000 by the end of the year, which would be a 17% increase, and is “not slowing down hiring,” according to a memo to staff from Chief People Office Rob McIntosh. Business Insider reported earlier on the cuts and the memo.
A Stripe spokesperson also confirmed to CNBC that a cartoon image of a duck with text that read, “US-Non-California Duck,” was accidentally attached as a PDF to emails sent to some of the employees who were laid off. Some of the emails mistakenly provided affected employees with an incorrect termination date, the spokesperson said.
McIntosh sent a follow-up email to staffers apologizing for the “notification error” and “any confusion it caused.”
“Corrected and full notifications have since been sent to all impacted Stripes,” he wrote.
In 2022, Stripe cut roughly 1,100 jobs, or 14% of its workers, downsizing alongside most of the tech industry, as soaring inflation and rising interest rates forced companies to focus on profits over growth. The Information reported that Stripe had a few dozen layoffs in its recruiting department in 2023.
Stripe’s valuation sank from a peak of $95 billion in 2021 to $50 billion in 2023, before reportedly rebounding to $70 billion last year as part of a secondary share sale. The company ranked third on last year’s CNBC Disruptor 50 list.
In October, Stripe agreed to pay $1.1 billion for crypto startup Bridge Network, whose technology is focused on making it easy for businesses to transact using digital currencies.
Brothers Patrick and John Collison, who founded Stripe in 2010, have intentionally steered clear of the public markets and have given no indication that an offering is on the near-term horizon. Total payment volume at the company surpassed $1 trillion in 2023.
WATCH: Early Bridge investor weighs in on $1.1 billion Stripe deal
Thinking about upgrading your EV? Rivian (RIVN) launched a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1S or R1T. Here’s how you can snag some savings.
Rivian R1S and R1T upgrade deal offers up to $6,000
Rivian delivered over 51,500 vehicles last year as the EV maker gains momentum. Although it was only slightly higher than the ~50,100 delivered in 2023, Rivian is expected to see even more growth this year.
After shutting down its Normal, IL manufacturing plant last April and renegotiating supplier contracts, Rivian has seen “significant cost improvements,” according to CEO RJ Scaringe.
Rivian also began delivering its next-gen R1S and R1T models last year. The new Large and Max battery packs have redesigned modules and more efficient packaging, “making them easier to manufacture and service.” For example, Rivian’s new EVs use seven ECUs, down from 17 in the first-generation R1T and R1S.
With new plant upgrades, reworked supplier contracts, and more efficient vehicles, Rivian is now passing the savings on to customers.
Rivian introduced a new promo on Tuesday, offering up to $6,000 to upgrade your R1T or R1S. The bonus amount varies by trim:
- Tri with Max battery: $6,000 USD / CAD 8,600
- Dual with Max battery and Performance upgrade: $4,500 USD / CAD 6,500
- Dual with Max battery: $3,000 USD / CAD 4,300
The offer is for current R1T or R1S owners or lessees in the US and Canada. Rivian launched the new promo on January 21, and it runs through March 31, 2025.
After you purchase or lease a qualifying vehicle, Rivian will apply a discount toward the MSRP. You must take delivery by March 31, 2025. In the fine print, Rivian stated, “You must request a trade-in estimate to qualify for this offer, but trade-in of a vehicle is not required.”
Any other models are excluded from the offer. These include Dual Standard configurations, Dual with Large battery configurations, custom builds, demo vehicles, and pre-owned vehicles.
The new offer follows Rivian’s previous upgrade promo introduced last October, giving qualifying gas-powered vehicle owners or lessees up to $3,000.
Check out the Rivian R1 Shop to view eligible models. You can see eligible Rivian R1S here and R1T models here.
Electrek’s Take
Rivian’s R1S was already the tenth best-selling electric vehicle in the US last year, with nearly 27,000 models sold. With more driving range and power at a lower cost, the electric SUV could see even more demand in 2025.
Then again, with the arrival of new luxury electric SUVs, like the Jeep Wagoneer S and Volvo EX90, Rivian will face more competition in the US.
Rivian’s latest promo comes as the Company looks to carry the momentum from the end of 2024 into the new year. The EV maker is offering other deals, including 1.99% APR for 60 months on the R1 Dual with a Max Battery and Performance upgrade.
Even if you are not eligible for the promo, we can still help you find deals on Rivian’s electric SUV in your area. You can use our links below to view offers on the Rivian R1S and R1T near you today.
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