If your heart beats for vintage German classics, and you do not mind going 100% electric, then you need to know about Zelectric. A brainchild of the designer-producer duo of David Benardo and Bonnie Rodgers, Zelectric is a San Diego-based tuning shop that specializes in electrifying air-cooled vintage Volkswagens, Porsches, Microbuses, Karmann Ghias, and the likes. Notably, Zelectric EVs provides radically improved overall driving experience, which earned it being described as a “retro-futuristic experiential art on wheels.”

There are several ways prospective Zelectric EV owners could acquire one of these awesome builds. You could let the company find an air-cooled classic suitable for the project you desire, walk into the company and pick a commission-ready unit you find cool, or send them your vintage air-cooled classic for a Zelectric treat with a starting cheque of $68,000. For proper context, we came across this vintage EV-converted Volkswagen Bug, and it highlights the awesomeness of the hugely talented tuning shop, Zelectric!

8 Model

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via: Zelectric

The donor car for this awesome build is the 1964 model of the iconic Bug. For the standard version, power comes from a 1200 engine with an output of 36 horsepower. The car features a frontal anti-roll bar with a hydraulic steering damper.

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via: Pinterest

Typically, the model features a rear engine with a rear-wheel-drive layout, and it was available in two body styles of the two-door saloon and two-door convertible.

RELATED: 10 Sick VW Bug Mods (And 5 We Want To Unsee)

7 Neatly Assembled Motor

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via: Zelectric

For its incredibly neat appearance, the Zelectric engineers surely did an amazing job on this vintage Beetle. The EV conversion is given a tidy presentation both inside and out, ensuring that only the more attractive components of the car are put on display, while the not so pretty bits have all been covered up.

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via: Zelectric

The same applies to the engine motor compartment. Located conventionally at the rear, the motor compartment is neatly sealed up, revealing only the attractive side.

6 Performance

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via: Zelectric

Power is managed in this special Zelectric Bug by a four-speed transmission. Hence, for the purists, this is a manual EV. Nonetheless, the transmission technically functions like an automatic, and the gear ratios affect the performance and range.

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via: Zelectric

Its clutch has a standard feel to it, and the accelerator pedal has a very quick response. In essence, the build has a significantly better acceleration in comparison to the stock 1964 Bug and has a top speed north of 100 mph.

5 Range

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via: Zelectric

In the current crop of EVs in the market and even the ones scheduled to be launched soonest, the range remains probably the most valued attribute. Notably, being the farthest distance a vehicle can cover before requiring a recharge, the range is quite understandably an important attribute in all EVs.

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via: Zelectric

This converted Bug has a moderate optimal range between 80 and 100 miles. Hence, it's best suited for brisk trips in and around town.

RELATED: Why Volkswagen's Affordable ID Life Will Disrupt The EV Market

4 Weight Distribution

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via: Zelectric

How a vehicle handles is greatly affected by how evenly distributed its weight is. It’s a given, that acceleration causes weight to travel to the rear, thereby reducing the grip in the front wheels, while cornering reduces the weight over the rear wheels.

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via: Zelectric

Hence, car manufacturers always aim for car weights to be as evenly distributed as possible — and the same applies to Zelectric. With its 60/40 weight distribution, this Zelectric Bug has a fairly improved weight distribution.

3 Regenerative Braking

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via: Zelectric

This amazing Zelectric conversion features regenerative braking. Simply put, regenerative braking is an innovative and modern energy recovery system that slowly brings a moving vehicle or objects to a halt through the conversion of kinetic energy into a form that can either be stored until there’s a need for it or used immediately.

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via: Zelectric

In this Zelectric Bug, a toggle on the dash activates the regenerative braking system, and when active, the need to use the brake pedal is significantly reduced.

RELATED: This Dual Motor Type 2 EV Is The VW Truck Of Our Dreams

2 Upgraded Components

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via: Zelectric

To be able to provide modern comfort and as well have the needed vigor to cope with modern driving demands, several components of this Zelectric Bug has expectedly been upgraded from its stock 1964 form.

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via: Zelectric

These include select components under the skin like new suspension, brakes, transmission, LED lighting components, electric heater, wiring, and shifter. The car has a new solid structure and for a more premium demeanor, it also features whitewall tires on all wheels.

1 Exquisitely Finished

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via: Zelectric

The stock vintage Bug was available in several amazing colors and this further earned it a greater appeal which, among other factors, led to its record sales. Nonetheless, these appealing color options only complemented its great and iconic structural design.

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via: Zelectric

Zelectric did awesomely well in replicating the amazing form of the 1964 Bug. The lines are crisps and smooth and the EV was built in the exact form of the stock Bug before it was exquisitely covered up in Sea Blue paint color.